Bit guards with brush?

[R_H]

I was talking to someone at my yard who mentioned bit guards with a brush like this - http://www.windgatesaddlery.com//v/vspfiles/photos/BIT-552-2T.jpg

I had never heard of them before so I am curious to see if anyone uses them and what effect do they actually have?

Thank you!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Never known anybody use one. They're for temporarily putting on one side only, for horses that lean on one hand (usually a horse or rider stiffness problem), to break the habit. Brush side goes towards horses face. I would think it makes the bit both too small and wonkey though. I prefer schooling to gadgets.

 

[Chottsy]

No old boss used one on her eventer for training and dressage warm up. He wouldn't turn right. So she put the brush on the left hand side. A little right rein and he would turn his head right. She only used it when she first got him, as he was sensitive in his mouth and she preferred to not haul him round a corner.
he wasn't strong or nasty just didn't turn right! So a stronger bit wouldn't have helped. I used to take it off before she went in a dressage ring and it worked for him!

 

[Chottsy]

*my
Stupid autocorrect!!!

 

[tinap]

As Chottsy said! We used one on a pony for the same reasons - just wouldn't turn! You only ever use one not two at the same time xx

 

[quirky]

I used one a couple of times when hunting on my pony.
The little devil would set his neck, as ponies do and head off in a straight line if the mood took him.
One of these just allowed me to be able to turn and gain back control .