Cheek piece. A short shank engages quickly and remains forgiving if the rein is held rather than given, which makes it the one to start with. The arms above and below the mouthpiece are close to equal, so poll pressure is loaded as much as bar pressure and the horse is asked to drop and settle rather than draw the nose in, which suits a shorter, thicker neck. Ridden on the top rein it acts as a fixed cheek snaffle; on the bottom rein the curb chain enters the curb groove, poll pressure is applied and the horse comes into an outline.
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 centre lozenge is Aurion, a high copper concentrated alloy. Cheeks, eyelets and joints are stainless steel. Curb chain supplied.
Fit closely, with the lip gently brushing the cheek. Aim for one to two soft wrinkles at the corners of the mouth. Adjust the curb chain so it engages as the shank reaches approximately 45 degrees, and check it is lying flat before every ride.
Size and fit
| 4.5" | 4.75" | 5" | 5.25" | 5.5" | 6" |
|---|
| 115 mm | 120 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm | 140 mm | 150 mm |
Mouthpiece | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm | 14 mm |
Cheek | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm | 110 mm |
