A Kimblewick, also spelt Kimberwick, has D-shaped cheeks and a curb chain, and is ridden on a single rein. With your hands carried normally it rides much like a snaffle. Lower your hands and the rein slides down the D, which brings the curb chain into the chin groove and adds a little poll pressure. It is one of the milder curb-chain bits and a common first step for a pony or horse that has become strong in a snaffle.
Plain or Uxeter? On a plain Kimblewick the lever action depends on where your hands are, which suits a capable rider who wants a little extra now and then. The Uxeter has slots cut in the D. Put the rein in the upper slot for a milder action or the lower slot for more, and it stays there whatever your hands do, so the horse gets the same feel each time.
You will also find Kimblehooks here, a modern cousin of the idea. Fager describe the Kimblehook as a fixed ring with lever available when you need it: the lower you place the rein, the stronger it becomes. Our article on Kimblewick, Kimblehook and Tom Thumb bits sets out how they differ.
Compared with the neighbours. A Pelham has a longer shank and two rein positions, so it offers more curb action and lets you separate snaffle and curb with two reins. A Kimblewick keeps things simple with one rein. If your horse only needs a touch more brakes, it is worth asking whether a different snaffle mouthpiece would do the job before moving up. Related designs sit under Kimblewick and Butterfly Flip bits.
Mouthpieces. Jointed and mullen mouthpieces are both here, along with ported and Cambridge (low port) versions that give the tongue a little room. Rubber versions suit a horse that dislikes metal.
Measuring. Measure the mouthpiece between the inside of the two D rings on a bit that fits. The cheek is fixed, so the bit should sit close to the lips without pinching.
Fitting the curb chain. The chain should lie flat in the chin groove, twisted until it has no kinks, and only come into contact once the rein is drawn back noticeably. Too tight and it is on all the time. Spare curb chains and straps are in the accessories range.
Many of the metal Kimblewicks can go on our 30 day trial; rubber and other non-metal ones are sold outright. Ring 01405 861800 for advice.
It acts like a snaffle when your hands are in the normal position. As you lower your hands, the rein slides down the D and brings in the curb chain, adding chin groove and a little poll pressure. That gives extra control without a second rein.
An Uxeter has slots in the D that fix the rein in one position. The lower slot gives more curb action. On a plain Kimblewick the rein slides, so the action changes with your hand height.
Not in every activity. In the 2026 Pony Club rule books, dressage bits (including the dressage phase of eventing) must follow British Dressage rules, and British Dressage does not permit the Kimblewick. Mounted games at Area level and above allow only a listed set of snaffles. The jumping phases of eventing, and tetrathlon, accept any normal riding bit. Rules change each year, so check the current rule book for your activity before you buy.
It has more potential, because of the curb chain. Fitted correctly and ridden with quiet hands, it is still a mild bit, and it is often chosen as the first step beyond a snaffle.
Not sure of the width? How to measure a horse bitHow leverage bits work