what's the point of this bit of tack???

[Firehorse]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bit-Burr-/190...r_Equipment&hash=item2c5a82addf#ht_500wt_1156


never seen one before and googling doesnt bring much up.

 

[suzysparkle]

They are meant to help stop the Horse leaning sideways on the bit. Normally only used on one side (ie for a Horse that likes to lean on one side) and go on the bit like a normal rubber bit guard.

 

[stroppy]

It goes on like a rubber bit ring (or biscuit as i knew them growing up) with the bristles on ponies face and aids with steering, used to see them used a lot but not so much these days

 

[unbalanced]

I think it's used on one side of the bit to deter the horse from leaning to that side. I have a feeling it is more for racehorses. I've never used it.

 

[competitiondiva]

They are meant to help stop the Horse leaning sideways on the bit. Normally only used on one side (ie for a Horse that likes to lean on one side) and go on the bit like a normal rubber bit guard.

This ^^^

 

[trojanpony]

The internet seems to think they are to prevent a horse leaning on one side, or perhaps to stop it playing with the bit (i.e. the brushes push into his cheek causing discomfort).

 

[WelshRuby]

I think it is for a one sided horse. It's put on the bit and the bristles prevent the horse leaning to that side. In theory, dont actually know if it works!

 

[dieseldog]

They used to be used. Then equine dentists were invented....

 

[Firehorse]

thanks! looks like it might give horsey a good massage! my pony gets very itchy under his bit rings when he's hot and loves a good scratch when i take his bridle off.

 

[ponypops]

yes we used to call them "biscuits" and i think also "brushes". havent seen one for years since being involved with pointers when one with a steering problem had a "biscuit" fitted to one side. cant remember how effective though~~~~must have been superceded by something else~~~bit old fashioned now????

 

[mashnut]

I found some in a tack shop the other week. Those bristles were really really harsh. I could scratch my skin with them without any effort.

 

[joeanne]

They used to be used. Then equine dentists were invented....

exactly ^^^that!!!

 

[turkana]

I used to use one on my horse when we competed cross country as she used to pull to the left, I called it a brush & it worked well.
She had her teeth done by the vet regularly but as an older horse I started using an equine dentist, he looked in her mouth & asked me if she was one sided, as he could tell by looking at her teeth!
He told me that he could have resolved it but as she was older & not competing anymore it wasn't worth it, as it would have been a big job & would have meant sedating her.
I think he called it bit bedding but I might be imagining things.

 

[Boxers]

I was lent one to use a few years ago when I bought my daughter a pony who was very one-side and would stick his head in the air and cart her of to the right if he didn't want to do something! He couldn't canter on his right lead. It was called a brush-pricker and I have to say that it didn't really help alot - what did help was a visit from the dentist, the backman and plenty of lunging and schooling.