Copper and sweet iron bits

[Sooty]

Hi there

Can I have your views on the advantages/disadvantages of using either copper or sweet iron bits rather than a regular stainless steel one? (I gather that sweet iron bit are popular with western riders in particular).

Reason I ask is that, in my quest to make Luca as comfortable as possible I am thinking of trying these materials to see whether he prefers them to stainless steel. Have already done the bit shape evaluation (he's definitely a french link loose ring man - even prefers it to Myler comfort snaffle) so this is the next step. Once I find his ideal, hopefully that will be it for life :p

However, if anyone has any compelling reason why NOT to go for one of the above metals it will save me a bit of money ;)

As ever, any comments/thoughts/advice greatly appreciated :)

[ladyrose]

Sweet iron bits oxidise in the horse's mouth, leaving a sweet taste so that the horse will salivate more and accept the bit more easily

[Sooty]

Thanks ladyrose - is that not true of both of these metals?

[TBEventer2002]

Copper isn't necessarily a sweet metal, more of a tart metal -- it's hard to explain, so you'd be better off licking a penny or even a copper-mouth bit to see for yourself. You'll find you instantly get a bit more wet in the mouth! ;)

I like coated bits and even rubber-mouth or Happy Mouth bits (flavored like apples) -- but only when I need them. If the horse goes soft and happily in a regular metal bit, I would stick to that. There was a horse I knew that salivated so much in just a regular metal bit that she would literally go around through her dressage test with a bubble on the end of her lips. :)

[virtuallyhorses]

The main difference between the two is that generally sweet iron bits are 'single metal' i.e. all the pieces in the mouth are the same material - iron. Iron rusts and horse's seem to enjoy the taste of rusty iron.

Copper on the other hand tends to be used with other metals - so as copper rollers or as the central piece in a french link while the canons are other metals. Having two metals in a moist environment basically creates a small battery - it is the tiny electrical current that causes the horse to salivate and play with the bit, rather than the taste of the copper itself.

The advantage over stainless steel or other bit materials is that the horse may prefer the taste\sensation of these other bits anf therefore accept them more readily.

The disadvantages of the copper bit are that being a soft metal you do have to check it regularly in case it starts to get sharp bits on it from the horse having a munch and that generally they aren't accepted in competition.