Cheek piece. The full cheek prevents pinching at the sides of the mouth, and the arms above and below the mouthpiece prevent the bit being pulled through and assist in guiding the head, which is why the full cheek remains a schooling standard. The upper arm is bent away from the face so it cannot press into the cheek, and both arms taper to rounded ball ends. Release is slower than a loose ring and light poll pressure is introduced. Fitted with keepers the upper arm is held to the bridle cheekpiece and the bit sits at a constant angle.
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 cheek. No clearance is needed. A single joint draws up into a V under contact, so check the fit with a contact taken up as well as at rest. Fit keepers for jumping, and remove a full cheek from a horse left unattended.
Size and fit
| 4.5" | 5" | 5.5" |
|---|
| 115 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm |
Mouthpiece | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm |
Cheek arm | 150 mm | 150 mm | 150 mm |
