I’ve been Googling all night and have yet to find it available in the US! Why is this?
Why don’t you buy it from the UK? When I couldn’t get the bit I wanted in Australia unless it was expensively custom made, I bought online from England.
Or is sweet copper close enough?
https://marystack.com/stubben-steelt…nk-full-cheek/
Roller in place of lozenge:
https://www.horseloverz.cIsom/englis…SABEgLCJPD_BwE
That bit was made by Shires contact them, and ask if they are out of stock or discontinued.
[link won’t work google shop Shires Equestrian USA] phone # 603-929-3880
Go to the Shires dealer page [ click link at the top right above facebook icon on above link] and start calling to see who has one left.
Check Ebay under ‘Sweet Iron Full Cheek bit with Copper Peanut/Lozenge’ there are some. Looks like it is the canterequestrian’s ebay shop.
Can you use the loose ring version? It’s still available.
IDK, just like why are there a millions shops in the UK with gray jump boots, and almost none in the USA? Trends and demand, I guess.
Nope, looking for a full cheek or eggbutt. Good call on contacting the company! I actually know a rep, I’ll shoot her a message. Thanks!
I hope you find the fullck or eggbutt, if not, I have made an eggbutt style ring out of a loose ring by wrapping the mouth peice ends to the loose rings with Sealtex bit wrap.
Can’t use that set up to show though.
If price is no object Bombers Bits make a lovely full cheek with lozenge bit. Their blue metal turns to sweet iron after the horse mouths it. A few tack stores in the USA carry them, ask in the Dressage and or Event forums.
It really doesn’t look that expensive ordering from the UK: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sweet-Iron-F…-/141398845749
About 40 bucks, including shipping?
Not that expensive, unless he ends up hating it. Then I have another bit in my collection that I won’t use. Don’t get me wrong, lots of bits aren’t a bad thing, but I’m not a trainer so I don’t need a super deep arsenal. :lol:
I have read through so much on the single vs. double joint that my head is spinning. I’m trying to get my hands on a few varieties to try out, then I can purchase whatever I need. I’m not opposed to ordering from the UK; I’ve done it before with other items, I just don’t want to waste money.
I have no idea why someone would want to put a galvanic couples (Fe-Cu) in a horse’s mouth. You are basically putting a little battery in their mouth.
Sweet iron is mild steel [iron plus carbon], not pure iron. It does not seem react with the copper and horses seem to love it
Sweet iron is tried and true. Horses love it. But it’s an older style bit. I have one that is similar. It’s a copper roller snaffle with the side bars. Awesome training bit.
Yes! One of my cowboy mentors when I was young and about to start my first horse told me to always use a sweet iron bit as their first one. He believed it helped “soften their mouth to the bit”. We would bridle the youngsters up in a western style headstall, no reins, with a loose ring sweet iron bit and put them back in their stall for a couple hours while we rode the other horses.
When I was still riding western I was able to find sweet iron bits everywhere. I have a Junior Cowhorse dogbone somewhere in my tack abyss that was my horse’s absolute favorite bit ever. Same horse we started the way I described above. He went like a dream in that bit but I packed it away when we switched to riding English and eventually eventing. :lol:
If all else fails L & W Bits can make something similar, they are reputable and reasonable.
Look at ring bits page and you will see the full cheek, they can make a sweet iron 3 piece mouth. A copper peanut should not be a problem.
I know they make a S I dog bone Junior Cowhorse. Look at the mouth piece page.
I suggest you read up on your high school chemistry.
I think my bit is older than I am. I got it years ago at a garage sale out of a box of antique horse stuff. The people were selling stuff from their grandfathers farm.
Best $5 I ever spent. I have started 3 of my horses with it.
It’s a 4.5 inch though, so I am crossing my fingers it will fit my new Arab mare.
Well, if you want something similar-ish, there’s this:
A custom bit is going to be WELL north of the 40 bucks that buying the exact one you want from the UK would cost. Frankly, most interesting or novel bits you can buy here in the US with free shipping are going to be more than $40.
What qualities of that bit have you so intrigued?
horses are weird. I had one that would lick the electric line, shudder, and do it again. Every day, sometimes 30 minutes at a go. And the fence was HOT.
I suggest you look at the bits in person, where the metals touch there is no sign of galvanic [bimetallic] corrosion.
And sweet iron w/ copper is Dressage legal. I highly doubt USDF/USEF would allow batteries in the horse’s mouth
Or better yet, buy one and hold it between your teeth for a little while.
Let us know how bad the shock is.
You might want to check with the company before you quote prices for them. :rolleyes: