Strange bits....

[S_N]

They are covered in leather - why? I don't get it..... Surely it makes the bit chewable

 

[Irishcobs]

I heard that leather bits can be used for horses that have dry mouths as they can chew, suck it to produce saliva and it can soften a happy mouth for a horse with a very sensitive mouth. Though I don't see how they work surely they could bite through it and choke on it?

 

[S_N]

[ QUOTE ]
I heard that leather bits can be used for horses that have dry mouths as they can chew, suck it to produce saliva and it can soften a happy mouth for a horse with a very sensitive mouth. Though I don't see how they work surely they could bite through it and choke on it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, well I understand the theory, but I'm with you on wondering if the horse would be able to bite bits off and swallow/choke on it?? Still confuddled

 

[Hattikins]

At my old yard, all the youngsters had a simple eggbutt snaffle covered in chamois leather to soften it and make them salivate, worked very well and no they dont chew through it (dont know why but they dont!!!) also instead of using biscuits on bits that rubbed, they would sew chamois leather around the jointy bit ie. round the bit ring where it joins the bit and also round the end of the bit so that the bit didnt pinch and was also softer on the mouth - only thing you have to do it wet the bit before you put it in the horse's mouth as the leather gets very hard and crusty otherwise

 

[S_N]

Gosh, how interesting, well you learn something new everyday! Thank you so much for enlightening me!!

 

[Hattikins]

Thats ok

i was only about 8 at the time and couldnt understand why nobody else did it with their bits

i think it is a very old fashioned thing to do which is possibly why nobody does it in any other yard (yard owner was very oldfashioned

)

 

[S_N]

It's funny, I can understand the chamois leather, as you descibe, but these particular bits, appear to be covered in thick, hard leather, with a tough looking seam on them (opposite side to the bars of the mouth, but still.....)

 

[Hattikins]

hmm yes its a bit odd isnt it???

i guess it means it lasts longer and people think their getting better value for money! i dont know - i dont know whether id use it on any of my horses to be honest, yet id sew chamois leather on a bit without really thinking about it if it was necessary (actually id get my mum to do it!!!!!! its very fiddly

)

 

[S_N]

[ QUOTE ]
yet id sew chamois leather on a bit without really thinking about it if it was necessary (actually id get my mum to do it!!!!!! its very fiddly

)

[/ QUOTE ]

LMAO!!! Me too - though I'd have to BEG!!!

 

[Hattikins]

heehee

well you never know, someone may take pity on you

 

[k9h]

Have in the past wrapped latex bandage round chiffney bit for stallion. He'd always had it so we just carried it on & then we knew which was his chiffney to as he had his own & the other chiffney went on the other stallion or anything else that needed it! Have also wrapped my spurs shanks in it to for the thin skinned horses when schooling everyday so as not to rub hair off

 

[JACQSZOO]

Surely it wasnt that long ago when it was common practice to "wrap" a bit when bitting youngsters? Or am I really that old......

 

[Dovorian]

Join the club! We've used leather and even elastoplast type wrappings!! Must be 20yrs + ago tho!