Myler HBT Shank Sweet Iron Comfort Snaffle

The HBT Shank Sweet Iron Comfort Snaffle has been designed for horses who are young, green or just beginning training or who have a challenging disposition. The Myler HBT Shank Sweet Iron Comfort Snaffle has the following features:

Mouthpiece: Stainless Steel 5" HBT Shank with Sweet Iron Comfort Snaffle (MB 01, Level 1) with Copper Inlay.

This mouthpiece is made of polished Sweet Iron which naturally oxidizes or rusts. Harmless to horses, it has a sweet taste and promotes salivation.

Level 1 bits rotate on the tongue to apply tongue pressure and collapse to form a U instead of a V which protects the lips and bars from pinching. The mouthpiece is curved to allow more room for the tongue which can limit some resistance.

Resistance is the horse's way of communicating discomfort. A horse may demonstrate resistance through one or more behaviors that are consistently repeated in relation to the bit. Recognizing the signs of resistance is critical to knowing when there is a problem. Some of these signs include:

Going behind or above the bit

Chewing, overactive mouth, tongue out of the mouth

Running through the bit, pulling or not stopping

Heavy on the forehand, leaning on the bit

Putting the tongue over the bit

Sucking the tongue into the back of the throat

Myler bits have many unique features which allow your horse to work without resistance:

Independent Side Movement: Many Myler bits have a barrel in the center of the mouthpiece that acts as a bushing, allowing each side of the bit to move independently of the other. When the rider engages one fixed rein using a Myler bit with Independent Side Movement, the rider lifts only one side of the bit, giving a very clear, precise signal to the horse.

Curved Mouthpiece: Myler mouthpieces have a distinctive curve. The curve creates more room for the tongue to pass under the bit so the horse can swallow more freely as opposed to a bit that goes straight across the mouth.

Mouthpiece Thickness: Most Myler mouthpieces are 7/16" thick (11.11mm), a thickness that allows the bit to fit comfortably in the horse's mouth.

Mouthpiece Metals: Myler Western bits, combination bits and cradle bits are made of sweet iron with copper inlay. Sweet Iron oxidizes when exposed to moisture, releasing sweet taste. The sweet iron mouthpiece will turn grey after a few uses.

Independent Swivel cheek: The independent swivel cheek is a patented Myler feature offered on a limited number of cheekpieces. Myler shanks are independent of the mouthpiece and the independent swivel cheek means that the purchase is also independent of the shank when the rider engages one rein, the shank moves but the purchase has a slight swivel to is so it can give a little against the horse's face as the bit moves below it. The independent swivel cheek is offered on combination bits, the parelli shank bits the HBT and the flat shank.

Please Note: If you compete, check with your sport's governing body to confirm which bits are legal for your particular event.