Bit shank

The bit shank is the side piece or cheekpiece of a <a href="/facts/Curb_bit/C425ylaD">curb bit</a>, part of the <a href="/facts/Bridle/WhQIARfc">bridle</a>, used when <a href="/facts/Equestrianism/F13lkV3E">riding</a> on <a href="/facts/Horse/uQ3FA0Ak">horses</a>. The bit shank allows leverage to be added to the pressure of the rider's <a href="/facts/Riding_aids/TEpDl1HJ">hands</a> on the <a href="/facts/Bit_(horse)/paKsyNHJ">bit</a>. Shanks are usually made of metal, may be straight or curved, and may be decorated in some disciplines. The headstall and <a href="/facts/Curb_chain/9M0c9Tvl">curb chain</a> or curb strap of the bridle is attached to the top of the shank, and the <a href="/facts/Rein/FFg6PjY9">reins</a> are attached at the bottom. Shanked curb bits are used in <a href="/facts/Western_riding/8GD2Ab3t">western riding</a> for nearly all adult horses, and are seen in <a href="/facts/English_riding/pzagNWXz">English riding</a> disciplines primarily as part of the <a href="/facts/Double_bridle/5oNF3IU3">double bridle</a> used by advanced <a href="/facts/Dressage/bIop5sVG">dressage</a> riders, and on the hybrid <a href="/facts/Pelham_bit/17kf9Kw5">pelham bit</a> that includes a ring for a second rein attached at the <a href="/facts/Bit_mouthpiece/MyJx1gIv">bit mouthpiece</a>.
Direct pressure <a href="/facts/Snaffle_bit/8ATg6dmD">snaffle bits</a> have no shanks, instead they have a single <a href="/facts/Bit_ring/DHz8pfwz">bit ring</a>.
Bits that have shanks coming off the mouthpiece create <a href="/facts/Lever/HYDtMuAq">leverage</a> and place pressure on the poll via the crownpiece of the bridle, to the chin groove via the <a href="/facts/Curb_chain/9M0c9Tvl">curb chain</a>, and, especially with a "loose jaw" shank, may also touch the sides of the mouth and jaw. The shank and its leverage action is what defines a curb bit as a curb, regardless of mouthpiece. Though most curb bits have a solid mouthpiece, with or without a port, any bit with shanks and leverage is always a "curb" type bit, even if has a jointed mouthpiece. Shanked bits in the curb family include the Weymouth, which is the curb portion of the <a href="/facts/Double_bridle/5oNF3IU3">double bridle</a>; the <a href="/facts/Pelham_bit/17kf9Kw5">pelham bit</a>, a single bit ridden with two sets of reins; and the single-reined curb bit.

Bit shank open-in-new

Bit shank