The Jeffries Vulcanite Kimblewick with Curb Chain is a classical, single-rein leverage bit engineered for strong horses and ponies that require precise braking power but possess sensitive or fleshier mouths. Often favoured for child riders due to its lack of long shanks, this design provides a milder alternative to a standard Pelham. It pairs a thick, smooth, and highly stable vulcanite mouthpiece with a traditional double-link stainless steel curb chain to deliver balanced control. PLEASE NOTE: Missing original labels and packaging
Key Specifications:
- Mouthpiece Design: Solid bar with a low, supportive tongue port.
- Mouthpiece Material: High-density vulcanite (a firm, smooth, non-toxic vulcanised polymer moulded over a high-tensile steel core).
- Mouthpiece Thickness: Typically 18mm, forming a larger, highly supportive surface area.
- Cheekpiece Design: Classic D-shaped Kimblewick sides with integrated top bridle loops and discrete rein slots.
How it Works:
- The Material Advantage: Vulcanite is a hard polymer often confused with soft rubber. Unlike standard rubber, its smooth, low-friction texture maintains a neutral temperature inside the mouth, eliminating the risk of friction heat or blistering in dry-mouthed horses.
- Tongue Relief Port: The solid mouthpiece is shaped with a shallow, low port in the centre. This design creates a pocket of space that relieves direct downward clamping pressure on the sensitive tongue, transferring the rider's hand aids evenly across the bars of the lower jaw instead.
- Single-Rein Control: The compact D-ring shanks allow the rider to achieve leverage using only one pair of reins. Buckling the reins into the lower slot activates a short lever arm that multiplies hand aids, whereas placing them in the upper slot or directly onto the main D-ring softens the leverage effect for everyday work.
- Mild Leverage and Poll Action: When tension is applied, the bit shifts forward, introducing a mild containment cue across the poll to encourage vertical flexion. This movement simultaneously tightens the double-link curb chain against the chin groove, acting as a supportive mechanical boundary that stops the horse from pulling or running through the hand.
This bit is not legal for British Design (BD) and FEI competitions. It is widely permissible for Showjumping and Cross Country phases.
Usage Tips:
1. Attaching Your Reins
The Kimblewick is designed to be ridden with one single pair of reins attached to the D-rings:
- For Maximum Control: Attach your reins onto the small slots at the lower edge of the D-ring. This utilizes the maximum available shank length, engaging the curb chain and poll pressure promptly for strong horses.
- For Milder Control: Attach your reins onto the upper slot or allow them to run freely around the main D-ring. This diminishes the lever action, allowing the bit to function similarly to a stable hanging-cheek or D-ring snaffle.