Cheek piece. The bit ring is fixed to the mouthpiece and does not rotate. This prevents pinching of the lips, gives a solid feel against the side of the face and prevents the bit being pulled through the mouth. The release is slower than a loose ring and light poll pressure is introduced. A fixed cheek sits closely to the lips and encourages flexion, which steadies a horse that is busy in the mouth. There is no hole drilled through the mouthpiece, so there is nothing for the lips to catch in.
Material. Sweet iron is low carbon steel with no chromium in it, so it is meant to rust. That surface rust is the working part of the bit. It tastes warm and sweet, which draws the horse to mouth the bit and salivate into a softer, wetter mouth. Ours is solid iron right through rather than a coating, so it keeps producing it for the life of the mouthpiece. Supplied blue, fading to brown grey as it oxidises in work. The joint, eyelets and cheeks are stainless steel, so the parts that carry the load and the moving parts stay clean and free. Fit closely, with the lip gently brushing the butt end. Nothing rotates, so no clearance is needed and most horses take a quarter inch smaller than in a loose ring. A single joint draws up into a V under contact, so check the fit with a contact taken up as well as at rest. Aim for one to two soft wrinkles at the corners of the mouth.
Size and fit
| 4.5" | 5" | 5.5" |
|---|
| 115 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm |
Mouthpiece | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm |
Ring | 65 mm | 70 mm | 70 mm |
