Bitting Materials

By Your Horse

Tack and equipment advice

02 February 2012 16:04

When it comes to choosing a bit for your horse, make sure you know what you are buying

Stainless steel

– a popular and common material for many bit manufacturers. Cold to the touch which some horses don’t like.

Copper

– a softer and warmer metal. Can be used to encourage your horse to mouth and salivate.

Sweet iron

– encourages the horse to salivate and accept the bit. As the metal oxidises, it produces a sweet taste in the horse’s mouth which some horses like, making them more relaxed

Rubber

– softer and more flexible than metal bits. Warmer to the touch and some people think they are a good choice for starting young horses. Make sure there is a metal chain running through the bit in case your horse chews through the rubber.

Vulcanite

– a form of rubber that is hardened through heat. This material is thought to be milder than metal. They do tend to be quite thick mouthpieces so make sure your horse’s mouth is big enough to accommodate it.

Aurigan

– a mixture of copper, silicon and zinc, which, when oxidised, creates a taste horses love, encouraging them to chew and accept the bit.

Salox

– a copper alloy to encourage acceptance of the bit through warmth, sweetness and to promote mouthing and salivation.

Nathe

–  a patented plastic material which is very soft and pliable.