Lightboxes
Cart
alb3639327

Curb Bit

Curb Bit. Culture: German. Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 7 in. (17.8 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 1.4 oz. (1400.5 g). Date: 17th century. According to contemporary equestrian manuals, this was a bit designed for large horses with a hard mouth, a thick tongue, thin lips and non-sensitive bars (part of the horses' jaw without teeth). The gooseneck canons of the mouthpiece were meant to give more freedom to the tongue. The <i>banquets</i>, the parts of the cheekpieces where the mouthpiece is attached, can be opened to switch out the mouthpiece -- a feature particularly appreciated on dressage bits in Germany. If the very long shanks look impressive, and would logically add more leverage effect, and so more strength, they would actually have been blocked at some point by the horse's chest, reducing their impact. Curb bits were also at this time used with a very light hand, the well-trained horses responding by anticipation to the slightest move of the reins. This bit was very likely used for horse training and dressage.
Share
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Add to another lightbox

Add to another lightbox
add to lightbox print share
Do you already have an account? Sign in
You do not have an account? Register
Buy this image
Title:
Curb Bit
Caption:
Curb Bit. Culture: German. Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 7 in. (17.8 cm); Wt. 3 lb. 1.4 oz. (1400.5 g). Date: 17th century. According to contemporary equestrian manuals, this was a bit designed for large horses with a hard mouth, a thick tongue, thin lips and non-sensitive bars (part of the horses' jaw without teeth). The gooseneck canons of the mouthpiece were meant to give more freedom to the tongue. The banquets, the parts of the cheekpieces where the mouthpiece is attached, can be opened to switch out the mouthpiece -- a feature particularly appreciated on dressage bits in Germany. If the very long shanks look impressive, and would logically add more leverage effect, and so more strength, they would actually have been blocked at some point by the horse's chest, reducing their impact. Curb bits were also at this time used with a very light hand, the well-trained horses responding by anticipation to the slightest move of the reins. This bit was very likely used for horse training and dressage.
Technique/material:
Iron alloy, tin
Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3007 x 4400 px | 37.9 MB
Print size:
25.5 x 37.3 cm | 10.0 x 14.7 in (300 dpi)
Keywords:
ARMS AND ARMOR • EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT-BITS • EUROPE • GERMANY • IRON (METAL) • IRON ALLOY • IRON ALLOY, TIN • IRON AND IRON ALLOY • IRON • METAL • METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, USA • TIN