Today Chubby Turner and I are visiting about the advantages of aluminum shanked bits. Aluminum shanks are lighter weight than steel shanks which helps to make the aluminum shanked bits milder than steel shanked bits. The lighter weight puts less pressure on the mouth compared to bits with steel shanks.
Chubby is a cutting horse trainer from Weatherford TX. He has been inducted into both the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Open Rider Hall of Fame and Member Hall of Fame. He is a multiple time NCHA World Champion and Limited Aged Event Champion and has won $2,500,000.
Follow along on the video as Chubby explains when and why he likes to use a lightweight bit with aluminum shanks, or transition back to an aluminum shanked bit from a bit with steel shanks, on many of the horses he trains and shows. He’ll also explain why he likes these bits to have shanks that swivel so he can help direct a horse through a turn.
Because you want your horse to continuously respond to the bit with the lightest cue on the reins, you may want use an aluminum shanked bit. In addition to being useful on sensitive horses, aluminum shanked bits are good mild bits to use when you transition your colt from a snaffle. The wide flat shape of the shanks also helps to guide a horse’s nose in the direction of the turn during a direct rein pull. In addition, you can really pull a horse around with 2 hands with these bits without putting too much pressure on their mouths. They’re excellent for training horses to move on cattle.
The mouthpieces in my aluminum shanked bits are made of mild steel with copper strips inlaid in the steel. The copper tastes better to a horse than steel and will help promote salivation. Even the most subtle cue on the reins will be transferred to the mouthpiece via the bit shanks if a horse’s mouth is moist. Many horses can be ridden continuously in this bit.
Dennis Moreland Tack makes balanced aluminum shanked bits with both 7 inch shanks and 8 inch shanks. They are available with a variety of steel mouthpieces with copper strips to suit the individual horse’s needs. I also make a rubber mouthpiece in the 7 inch shank for horses that need the ultimate in a mild bit. Call or text 817-312-5305 or write to us at dmtack@vrfmail.com with any questions.
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