Blue Sweet Iron Continental Lozenge Bit

Blue sweet iron is an excellent material for the mouthpiece of bits, as it oxidises easily whch  encourages the horse to salivate and assists in softness and acceptance of the bit. The copper lozenge is made of brass, which also helps to encourage a softer mouth and give a nicer taste, thus encouraging a softer mouth.

Lozenge mouthpieces soften the action of a single jointed bit by eliminating the nutcracker action, by means of a rounded lozenge which lies across the horses tongue, giving a slightly more positive action than a French link.

The continental snaffle bit can also be known as a 3 ring, dutch gag or even as a bubble bit. Continental bits work by raising the bit up in the horses mouth in a similar manor to a conventional gag, but there is a limit to the extent this can happen thus lessening the severity. In addition to this, a lot of poll pressure is easily achieved on the lower setting of the dutch gag which is why ideally two reins should be used to ensure a correct contact can be maintained on the snaffle rein without poll pressure when necessary. The cheek of the jointed dutch gag involves a series of steel rings, the main snaffle ring with one smaller ring above and one (or two) below, enabling a number of different positions for the reins.

The 3 ring continental snaffle is useful for horses that dislike a curb but respond well to poll pressure.

• Double jointed lozenge mouthpiece eliminates the nutcracker action, and gives a positive action on the tongue
• Also know as a dutch gag or 3 ring snaffle
• Exerts poll pressure and a limited gag action
• Pony size bits (4 1/2" & 5") usually feature a smaller, more appropriately sized cheek
• Bit strength: moderate