Sweet iron bits - who uses them?

[Natassia]

I ride my horse in a sweet iron french link with a copper piece in the middle and I'm pleased with how he goes in it. However the last few days I've noticed that the dark grey coating on the bit has started to wear off in certain places and what looks like rust (but I don't think it is rust) is appearing on the sides near the rings. I keep the bit clean and wash it after riding but is there anything else I can do? Do I need to replace it?
Also, do they actually work in encouraging the horse to accept the bit, or is there anything else I cold try?

 

[flyingfeet]

D'oh!

They are meant to rust ... tis the nature of sweet iron. If you wash off, coat with a little cooking oil (nice tasting) it will stop it oxidising (do that for storage). You should let it rust as that's the taste the horse likes! If flaking in big patches for infreqent use then I would suggest oiling after each use, this does depend on the quality of the sweet iron.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Horse will love the rust as stated by CostwoldSJ.
I put my mare in one after when backing her she ate 3 happy mouth bits in 3 weeks, she does like a chomp Shes had it ever since!

 

[Rollin]

I started using sweet iron after a Monty Roberts demo. He said all the snaffle champions in USA were ridden in sweet iron. All mine have them now. Not pretty but as Monty says 'horses like them'.