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.
Allow 2 to 5mm clearance at each side so the centre ring can rotate. Aim for one to two soft wrinkles at the corners of the mouth. A backstrap is recommended, as it holds the bit steadier and limits rotation of the cheek.
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 |
Centre ring | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm | 65 mm |
