Bit Breakdown: The Jr Cow Horse Bit

Today lets talk about the Jr Cow Horse bit. This bit is called the JCH in the United States, but in the UK it's actually called the Tom Thumb. Below I’ll put a photo:

JR cow horse bit with a copper roller

So the JCH bit is a curb bit, meaning it amplifies pressure from the hands to the mouth. A snaffle has a 1:1 ratio from hands to the mouth, whereas a curb is 1 pound of pressure in the hands to anything over 1 pound in the mouth. The JCH bit is also a gag bit. A gag bit gives conflicting signals by pulling up on the lips as the mouth engages, and simultaneously putting some pressure on the poll. So essentially it's saying to put the head up with the lip pressure and pull the head down with the poll pressure.

I dont personally ever recommend gag bits, and I’m so strong in this conviction that in the hundreds of bits I use for bit fitting, I dont own a single one. I do have a few for education on my horse skull, but they will never again get used by a horse.

Now for the curb strap. Curb straps can be made of biothane, metal chain, boca beads, and leather. I always recommend a leather or biothane curb strap. There are so many sensitive structures under the chin, and I find when you add chain it actually impedes the horse’s ability to fully utilize the muscles needed for correct movement, as they anticipate the discomfort through bracing.

When your horse is bracing, they cannot correctly soften.

Getting your horse relaxed, strong, and confident in the rider is a huge key to success not only in bit fitting, but in horsemanship.

My philosophy is comfort over compliance. Yes, a bit can make your horse do this, that, and the other, but when your horse is comfortable and physically and mentally capable, they can do the movement or ask correctly—and that’s what I feel sets me apart.