Coming from decades of dressage with trotting horses, riding exclusively in snaffle bits, a curb bit was just as foreign to me as a head-shaking, ear flopping, and teeth clicking flat walk.

Thoughts about the Imus Comfort Bit

By Jennifer Klitzke

It had only been weeks after acquiring my first smooth gaited horse when I came to the 2007 MN Horse Expo. In my quest for knowledge, I learned that Brenda Imus would be teaching clinics about natural and humane training methods for smooth gaited horses like my Tennessee walking horse.

Meeting Brenda Imus

I hustled to the training arena where Brenda would be coaching several demonstration riders with their naturally gaited horses. Impressed with her kind and humane training methods, I followed her back to her booth to purchase her DVD “Gaits from God.” You see, I had just purchased my first naturally gaited horse, yet, the smooth gait would be something I would need to develop. It isn’t something that just automatically happens just because she is naturally gaited.

Brenda’s DVD included the helpful information I was searching for to improve smooth gait with an added bonus. It provided insights on various bits, both curbs and snaffles.

Does a bit make a difference in how a horse moves?

The Effect a Bit has on a Horse

In the DVD “Gaits from God,” Brenda describes the action various bits have on the horse. Some bits pinch the lips and tongue which causes pain. Some curb bits have too much leverage. Both pain and too much leverage negatively impact a horse’s natural smooth gait. Pain and tension lead to pace in the naturally gaited horse.

Then Brenda described how the Imus Comfort Bit was designed to alleviate pain and tension. She demonstrated the effect a traditional Walking horse curb bit had on a naturally gaited Walking horse. Then the same horse was show being ridden with the Imus Comfort Bit.

Pain reaction vs bit acceptance

When the TWH was ridden in the traditional Walking horse curb bit, the horse threw its head up with each head nod in pain reaction vs. relaxation and bit acceptance. Its movement was pacey. With the Imus Comfort Bit, the same TWH moved fluid, relaxed and loose through its body, and its head nod was dramatic and pain free.

Impressed with the before and after difference, I had to try the Imus Comfort Bit with my naturally gaited Tennessee walking horse. Right away, I was simply amazed with how much better my Walking horse rode in it. Her head nod was deeper, freer and straighter; her ears flopped consistently, and I even heard an occasional click of her teeth. She was relaxed and responsive with a light contact. She even spooks less when I ride in the Imus Comfort Bit, so I felt safer.

The only downside I can think of is that the Imus Comfort Bit is not a recognized dressage bit. However, it is perfect for trail riding and rail class breed shows.

For more about the Imus Comfort Bit, visit: PhoenixRisingSaddles.

Video: Imus Comfort Bit in action at the Minnesota Horse Expo Tennessee Walking Horse demonstration

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