Bitting - Copper Vs Sweet Iron

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SafioFish

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Hi there,
I was wondering whether anyone could impart any knowledge on the pros/cons of Sweet Iron and Copper bits. I know both increase salivation and encourage acceptance but wondered which material would be best.. Copper or Sweet Iron??
Thanks
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I'm not sure but those sweet iron bits do tend to rust, which can't be good?

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They always rust and that is where the sweet taste comes from I think. I think it is supposed to go rusty.
 
I have used both - the western bit we have it sweet iron and old Cairo certainly enjoyed having it in his mouth, particularly when it hadn't been used for a while as the rust had built up.

Chancer has had copper and this is most definately the bit he prefers. His latest is a stainless hanging cheek but has copper inserts in it. Farra has a copper mouth bit too.

Can't see me going back to stainless again after using sweet iron and copper as mine certainly show a preference for these materials.
 
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I'm not sure but those sweet iron bits do tend to rust, which can't be good?

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They always rust and that is where the sweet taste comes from I think. I think it is supposed to go rusty.

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Oh dear I threw mine away!!
 
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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure but those sweet iron bits do tend to rust, which can't be good?

[/ QUOTE ]

They always rust and that is where the sweet taste comes from I think. I think it is supposed to go rusty.

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Oh dear I threw mine away!!

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LOL ooopsie
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Thank you
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I'm currenyl using a stainless steel Filet Baucher ( hanging cheek snaffle) guess is teh same as one of yours? I was looking at the one with Copper inserts too. So you would recommend then?
 
Copper and Sweet Iron bits are sent from God IMO! Only problem is that BD obviously think the same and they aren't legal.

Great for training so if your horse needs a bit more help to accept the bit and work nicely into - go for it
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I got this one for Chancer, he really does like this, so far this is the bit he has gone the best in for schooling. He is as light as can be, and the hanging cheek helps me to ask him to round, he also seems to prefer the straight bit rather than a joined one.

My old gypsy cob loved the hanging cheek more than anything else, but she preferred french links.

I got Chancer's one on ebay from Cotswolds Sports - very similar to the myler one - barrel mouth piece with copper inserts but was only £20 - there is a 6" myler one on ebay at the moment.
 
I have a loose ring frenchlink snaffle because my mare leans (the old bag!!!) I got one that was a copper SS mix, because copper can get worn and develop sharp bits that need to be filed down (although this has never happened to my old bits). Anyway it works a treat and she puts a lot more effort into carrying herself which gives my hands and her mouth a huge break!
 
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Oh dear I threw mine away!!

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Sorry that made me laugh!!

We've had a couple of people complain about myler and monty bits going rusty! Proper sweet iron (as opposed to the painted on stuff on a Shires tom thumb) is supposed to rust and flake, as its the oxidisation that produces the taste

The more you use them the less you will see the rust, and if you aren't going to use your sweet iron bit for a while, you should coat with edible oil (olive oil, corn oil etc) as otherwise it can go a bit rough.
 
Ok this may sound like a stupid question but how many people have actually tasted a bit (types of metal used) and in this occassion a copper and sweet iron bit (obviously after been cleaned!) ???
 
Guess it depends on the horses preference. Used a sweat iron on one of mine today, the bit had not been used for a while so looked quite rusty, the horse in question refused to drop the bit when I untacked him, stood there sucking the barrel of the bit, suspect he rather liked the taste!
 
I'll admit to it
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obviously it was clean
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Tried it with a sweet iron but but i couldn't really taste anything different to normal metal but then again didn't really taste it for all that long. My mate did it too and didn't really notice anything. Perhaps you have to leave it in your mouth for longer
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Copper and Sweet Iron bits are sent from God IMO! Only problem is that BD obviously think the same and they aren't legal.


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Another reason why BD irritates me. Sweet iron and copper have been used in bitting for thousands of years, why are they now not legal!?
 
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