Mare Stare
Well-Known Member
I love gadgets and I've been looking at this "revolutionary" bit.
£50 is a bit steep for me though.
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...t_new_horse_bit_bit_to_stop_horses-(663).aspx
Full Description
The Pee wee bit is a revolutionary new style of bit constructed with stainless steel bit rings and side bars, but the mouthpiece is made from "sweet iron" which oxidises to produce a sweet taste that horses enjoy. This rusting effect is totally harmless but encourages salivation and acceptance of the bit, unlike stainless steel which can cause a dry mouth and/or the lips to crack in the corner in some cases.
A combination of three unique features makes the Pee Wee bit far more kind yet effective than any other bit!
1. The mouth bar-
Surveys have shown that 80% of horses have low palates and large fleshy tongues. This means that the majority of bits on the market have too thick a mouthpiece and so don't leave enough room in the mouth for the tongue. As a result the tongue lifts the mouthpiece up until it contacts the roof of the mouth (palate). This is a major irritation which causes the horse to toss it's head up and forwards to try and shake the bit to the front of the mouth to create some room and stop the contact to the palate. We have eliminated this problem by introducing a thinner mouth bar which leaves plenty of room for the tongue and eliminates contact to the roof of the mouth as well as being lightweight and beautifully shaped to fit over the tongue . Also being a fixed mullen mouth bar there is no "nutcracker "effect which is very disconcerting to horses. A thin bit in the hands of a good rider is more humane and comfortable for the horse than a thick bit!
2. Position of the mouthpiece over the tongue -
The mouthpiece of the Pee Wee bit sits further forward over the tongue and bars than conventional bits. This position of contact on the tongue along with even pressure down onto the bars,encourages the horse to flex down at the pole, which means the horse is down over the bit in a better position to work rather than getting behind the bit and getting it's head in the air and wanting to take off . This more natural head and neck carriage position affords the rider far better control and makes it far easier to stop the horse.
The mouthpiece also provides tongue relief and stays permanently quiet in the mouth until a command is given. This unique benefit is achieved due to the floating mouthpiece. The mouthpiece actually floats up and down and backwards on the large rings so at no time is there pressure on the tongue. Horses move their tongue readily when they swallow and while drinking water and with traditional bits a mouth bar is an obstruction but the mouth bar of the Pee Wee bit does not interfere with tongue movement , so provides comfort at all times for the horse.
3. Position of large rings and side bars
A large percentage of bitting issues are the result of the large rings or bars of the bit contacting the sensitive side of the face. This results in the lips being forced against the teeth, which causes pain to the horse. Proof of this is when the horse starts tossing their head to the side to try and get away from the bit to relieve the discomfort, or if the pain becomes extreme, they will actually start laying on the bit to fight the pain, which results in the all too familiar problems. The Pee Wee bit eliminates these problems due to the fact the large rings of the Pee Wee bit do not contact the sensitive sides of the face. The rings actually fold back over the outside of the small side bars which are positioned under the lower jaw which keeps them off the face, eliminating pinching and hence head tossing.
The side bars are strategically placed just outside of the lower jaw and only contact the jaw when rein contact is given. Due to the specific placement of these side bars, it is too uncomfortable for a horse to lay against the side bars, so you no longer lose contact. It also makes it very easy to turn a horse.
The combination of these three unique features, makes the Macs Equine Pee Wee bit unsurpassed for comfort and performance when starting young horses, correcting existing mouthing problems or simply trail riding
The PeeWee bit is constructed with stainless steel rings and side bars and a "sweet iron" mouthpiece which is INTENDED TO RUST. This rusting effect is what creates extra saliva in the horses mouth to prevent the mouth drying out which is a problem with 100% stainless steel bits.
Fitting instructions:
Note the position of the side bar and how it points back to the riders legs. As the mouth bar is aligned with the side bars it gives you a good indication of the position the mouth bar is sitting in the horses mouth. It is positioned squarely and evenly over the tongue and bars which results in even pressure when rein contact is applied and as a result no discomfort from pinching the sensitive parts of the mouth such as the tongue and lips.
It is also important to note that there are NO WRINKLES/CREASES in the corner of the horses mouth. The mouth bar should be only making passive contact when the cheek straps have been set at the correct length.
Ensure you can place a couple of fingers between the chin strap and the horse's chin. This strap is NOT a curb strap and only acts as security in keeping the bit in place and therefore should not put any pressure on the chin.
£50 is a bit steep for me though.
) & she is so much more settled with this in her mouth she gets v stressed with other bits, have had NS & Sprengers in her- the only drawback is that its not dressage legal so next step is to try a skinny Myler that I can swop her into for comps.
