Sweet Iron Universal Fixed Ring Ported Mullen

Suitable for horses that:

• Have a large tongue and get strong as the pace increases

• Run long and stiff but are also unsteady in the contact

• Lean through the bridle across country

• Need a predictable response at speed

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. A ring cheek introduces poll pressure and creates leverage on the mouthpiece. The half ring is what makes this version milder than a three or four ring. With the rein on the centre ring it works as a fixed cheek snaffle; with the rein on the lower loop poll pressure is introduced and the mouthpiece rotates back onto the tongue and bars. The centre ring is fixed to the mouthpiece, so nothing slides and the leverage arrives at full effect as soon as the rein is taken. The wider rein loop allows the rein to find its own angle.

8242

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. A backstrap is recommended.

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

Centre ring

65 mm

65 mm

65 mm

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