The two most common types are solid leather chin straps or chin straps with loose chain. A solid leather chin strap is what I recommend for use on snaffle bits as well as when introducing any new shanked bit to your horse. The curb straps that use chain typically hook to the bit using either leather or rope. Always be sure that the chain is not twisted, rusted, sharp or broken. Straps that contain a single chain are especially prone to twisting and should be checked regularly. Always check with show officials as to what is allowed when showing, for example in the NRHA and AQHA you must use a chin strap that measures at least 1/2 inch wide and lays flat (no twists or sharp spots).
A leather chin strap will have a more mild feel and a chain chin strap will increase your horses response (both positively or negatively) depending on his training level.
When and why should I use a chin strap?
Chin straps are used with both snaffle bits and shanked bits, but for different reasons. The purpose of using a chin strap with a snaffle bit is to prevent the bit from being pulled through the horses mouth in the event of an emergency. For example if while using a snaffle bit your horse bolts and you pull his head to the left to do a one-rein emergency stop there is a chance that your horse could open his mouth and the right side of the bit could slide through his mouth leaving the cheek piece of the headstall where the bit should be. To prevent this from happening a simple leather chin strap will stop the bit. In this case the chin strap is not being used as a leverage tool.
When a chin strap is added to a bit with a shank the purpose is to help the bit function as it was designed to with leverage. Using a shanked bit without a chin strap is possible but it does not allow the bit to function as it was designed.
How should the chin strap be adjusted?
On a snaffle the strap should be attached to the bit in FRONT of the reins. The strap should hang loosely without contacting the chin but should not be low enough for the horse to get it stuck on his chin or in his mouth. While standing on the ground beside the horse imagine the bit sliding through the horse’s mouth and be sure that the chin strap would prevent this from happening.
On a shanked bit the chin strap works with the design of the bit to add chin pressure as well as allowing the mouth piece make contact in the proper way it was designed to function. When first introducing a new shanked bit to a horse I will use a flat leather strap adjusted loosely, meaning that from the ground standing beside the horse I should be able to move the shanks about three inches before the chin strap engages. After several rides I will tighted the strap to the point where the shanks move about two inches before the strap engages with the chin. This adjustment can vary from horse to horse. If choosing to move to a chain chin strap repeat the steps for adjusting the strap until you and your horse are comfortable.
Remember that adjusting the chin strap so it makes constant contact with your horses chin doesn’t allow him a reward when you loosen the reins so this should be avoided.
The chin strap is an important piece of equipment that should be checked regularly for wear and tear and always remember it will never function better than the hands it is in.
Stacy Westfall
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