Welcome to Part 2 on my research about Period Tack!
After researching it some more, I realized the mistakes I made here on the differences between curb and snaffle bridles 😅.  Having only ever ridden in a snaffle bridle myself, a deep dive into why 18th-century Horsemen preferred curb bits made me realize their actual use! What I discovered is that bridles, and their history, are more fascinating than I ever realized. What I used to think was a harsh bridal to use on horses (a curb), actually had immensely humane capabilities for both horse and rider, especially on the battlefield. ⚔️ 
That is why for the second part of my bridle research, see my next video on Bits 😊, where I correct my misconceptions.
There is much information that keeps arising in my research, from 1700's masters like William Cavendish to the famous 10th Earl of Pembroke, I am realzing the impressive history and practical use these ancient horsemanship tools can still possess.
To elborate, I now understand that what makes a snaffle is direct pressure and lateral flexion, whereas a curb uses leverage pressure and vertical flexion. I had a mistaken identity with one or two of my images too, but that is now corrected in my second video 😉.
So to put it correctly, here is the description...A bit (or solid bar) uses leverage to communicate with the horse, were as a bradoon (joined pieces) uses steady pressure. What I neglected to state here, is that a snaffle can also be a straight bar like a curb. What makes a snaffle, is that it has bit loops with reins offering direct pressure to the mouthpiece. I'll go into more detail on this in my next video.
In regard to a snaffle vs. a curb bit, just to clarify, when the reins are connected directly to the bit in the horse's mouth, it is a snaffle (which is direct pressure to her mouth). The curb, on the other hand, uses the pressure vertically (i.e. leverage). A curb also has a chin strap, which allows the pressure to be distributed evenly on the jaw. Because of that it offers more severe pressure, which would make for a steady pressure often used as a latter phase “emergency break.” A curb can be utilized as a bit alone without a snaffle capability. It is also handy for horse soldiers, because it a bridle that can be used one-handed (leaving the other hand free to hold a weapon).
If a horse is trained properly to respond to the leverage pressure of a curb, they are well trained and need only a little bit of rein pressure. That’s why in many horsemanship manuals of the 1700s, they often show the riders using them.
Also worth noting…Because horses can be dulled to the bit, and can push into pressure, they may be inclined to ignore either bit if used improperly, or otherwise become dull to it. William Cavendish elaborates on this in his book to the King of France, A General System of Horsemanship. Training horses to respond to the lightest pressure of either bit was ideal, but they can fall back on the vertical pressure of a curb to teach them to respond to the snaffle more readily.
Naturally in my research, I see that many Horsemen back then were not fools but understood very well that to dull a horse's mouth by overusing a bit would kill their sensitivity…sensitivity that would otherwise make them ideal when directing them in battle.
As always learning and trying these techniques while I research is a blast for this horse & history lover.
Credit goes to the wonderful Whites, for their superb historic paintings that make this work possible!
www.whitehistoricart.com
#Horses #History #GeorgeWashington #americanrevolution #America