my horse was trained western and likes the feel of a curb bit. I think it is the more generous room for his big fat tongue.... My kids are learning to ride him and the big western curb is too much so they have been riding in an english jointed snaffle which he isn't great in. I then tried a pelham quickly and that went OK but at that time was too much for the kids. To cut a long story short he had to have some dental surgery and a lump cut out of his jaw we need to get back to riding as he has thankfully recovered well. We are now several months down the road with more mature jockeys for him etc. The only english bit he likes at all is a mullen mouth pelham I have. I HATE roundings, they completely detract from the purpose of the bit and having such a nice mouth peice (in my opinion). I think it might be kinder to get some elastic in between the bit and the hands for my kids when they are riding as that curb rein should mostly be redudant (for their purposes of slightly farm style riding - they don't need to worry about shape at the poll etc - he goes nicely, sensibly and safely - even if not like a dressage king - but he doesn't need to be that for them. I'm pretty sure they will be OK with the snaffle rein but just wondered if those elastic rein inserts from Horze - soft reins could go on the curb rein, just in case. I think they would certainly give the kids more confidence to try as they would be devastated to think they might accidently sock him in the jaw. I will also be putting bands of insulation tape around the curb rein to start with for them so they have a quick visual reference of roughly where to hold the reins. Has anyone any experience of the Horze soft reins or anything similar?
Alternatively if in these circumstances I were to leave the curb rein off would the bit sit at the optimum rotation in his mouth for his comfort.
Thank you in advance
