How did the "movable tulip" get its name?

[hitchinmygetalong]

I’ve figured out what it is (I think ), but how on earth did it get its name?

http://www.vanderwielharness.be/collection6.html?collectiontext6.html~text (scroll down to “4 Horse Driving Bit System” and look at illustrations)

Is it the part of the bit that attaches to the cheek strap?

[tandem4u]

As I understand it, the tulip (part you attach your bridle to your bit) came from the use of the Buxton style bit design. It was called a tulip because the make thought it look like a tulip just before budding.

A warning with these Felix bits with the hinged tulips. These bits do get the horses head in a nice looking frame but they put a hell of alot action on that lower jaw. I like the idea of the design but not what it does to the horses jaw as a result.
Robert

[goodhors]

No idea where the name is from. It appears that the ETS, Extended Tulip System, is a longer piece above the mouth of the bit. This extension will have greater leverage, when used with the rein slot/holes, below the mouthpiece of the bit.

The four bits you pointed out, have adjustable Tulip System pieces above the mouthpiece of those bits. Moving the the part holding the bridle back further, makes the bits lay differently in the mouth of the horse. This again, will change the leverage factor to the jaw, which the reins apply when pulled.

So the buyer of those bits, has a lot more adjustment available to him, than regular Liverpool sided bits. Not saying that the changes are good or bad, just that the option is available now. Saves buying several bits, which have more or less leverage on them.

I think of something like this as related to Western bits. They come in various cheek leverages, depending on how straight or bent back, the shanks are below the mouthpiece. In years past, the vertical head carriage was not common, stylish or even desirable on your western horse. Nose out was common in many facets of a working cattle horse or show horse. Bits designed for aiding that head carriage were swept back below the mouthpiece, like the Grazing Bits you see in old photos.

Bits shown on the website are a new version of multiple-use bits. I would imagine that all those bits are pretty pricey, though I didn’t see any prices. Folks want to be able to get more versatility from that one expensive bit.

[Thomas_1]

It looks like a tulip.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I suppose if I saw this bit from a different angle I would have picked up on the “tulip”!