Sweet Iron Universal Gag with Aurion Lozenge

Suitable for horses that:

• Run long, low and stiff as the pace increases

• Are strong in company or in open ground

• Lean through the bridle across country

• Are over bitted in a three ring

How it works

Mouthpiece. 14mm, double jointed, with curved cannons angled forward to follow the shape of the tongue. The lozenge lies flat on the tongue rather than standing upright between tongue and palate, so tongue pressure is spread across the width of the tongue. There is no nutcracker action and nothing reaches the palate.

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 the bit works as a plain loose ring snaffle, with full movement and immediate release. With the rein on the lower ring poll pressure is introduced and the mouthpiece rotates and lifts in the mouth. The bridle ring is offset from the cheek so the bridle cheekpiece stays clear of the face.

8212

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, so it keeps producing it for the life of the mouthpiece. Supplied blue, fading to brown grey as it oxidises in work. The centre lozenge is Aurion, a high copper concentrated alloy. Cheeks, eyelets and joints are stainless steel.

Allow 2 to 5mm clearance at each side so the centre ring can rotate. Aim for one to two soft wrinkles at the corners of the mouth. A backstrap is recommended, as it holds the bit steadier and limits rotation of the cheek.

Size and fit

4.5"

4.75"

5"

5.25"

5.5"

6"

115 mm

120 mm

125 mm

135 mm

140 mm

150 mm

Mouthpiece

14 mm

14 mm

14 mm

14 mm

14 mm

14 mm

Centre ring

65 mm

65 mm

65 mm

65 mm

65 mm

65 mm

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