Sweet Iron Hunter D-Ring Ported Mullen

Suitable for horses that:

• Have a large tongue and also need lateral guidance

• Do not respond to the outside rein

• Fall in on a circle or drift on a straight line

• Are green and have not settled in a jointed bit

How it works

Mouthpiece.An unjointed mullen bar formed from a single piece of sweet iron, tapering from 14mm at the cheek to 10mm through the centre. The port measures 80mm wide by 10mm high, low and broad rather than tall and narrow, so the tongue is given room across a wide span while the bar stays well clear of the palate. The mouthpiece is swept forward to follow the arch of the tongue. With no joint there is nothing to close on the bars and no nutcracker action, and port relief moves the load off the centre of the tongue and out onto the bars.

Cheek piece.The Dee ring is similar in action to an eggbutt but presents a longer straight edge against the face. It prevents pinching, gives a more solid feel against the cheek and prevents the bit being pulled through the mouth. The straight side runs 86mm down the face, so when the inside rein is used the opposite side presses against the cheek and assists in bringing the shoulder round. With an unjointed mouthpiece the steering comes entirely from the cheek, which is why the Dee is a sound pairing here.

8236

Material. Sweet iron is low carbon steel with no chromium in it, so it is meant to rust. That surface rust is the working part of the bit. It tastes warm and sweet, which draws the horse to mouth the bit and salivate into a softer, wetter mouth. Ours is solid iron right through rather than a coating, and this mouthpiece is formed from a single bar with no joints in it at all. Supplied blue, fading to brown grey as it oxidises in work. Cheeks are stainless steel.

Fit closely, with the lip gently brushing the cheek. No clearance is needed. An unjointed mouthpiece does not draw up under contact, so the width you measure is the width you need. Aim for one to two soft wrinkles at the corners of the mouth.

Size and fit

4.5"

5"

5.5"

115 mm

125 mm

140 mm

Mouthpiece

14 mm

14 mm

14 mm

Port

80 x 10 mm

80 x 10 mm

80 x 10 mm

Dee ring

86 x 58 mm

86 x 58 mm

86 x 58 mm

Wipe dry after use and apply a light food safe oil. Surface oxidation after a period of storage lifts with a damp cloth.