How to maintain different bit materials

There are so many different types of bits, in this blog we will reveal several different bit materials, each with their own benefits for different horses. For example, sensitive mares who struggle with cold metals have been shown to accept a plastic bit, whereas other horses really love the sweet taste produced by the blue metal of a sweet iron bit as it oxidises. Whichever material you choose, one thing is true for them all: they will need taking care of and cleaning from time to time!

Caring for stainless steel bits

Stainless steel is a classic bit material and one that lots of horses seem to get on well with. It’s also very easy to care for – just rinse the mouthpiece in a bucket of warm water and then rub any dried on debris with a sponge. If you end up with stubborn gunk (for example if the bit belongs to a pony who dives for grass every time that they can get away with it…), you can make a paste with baking soda and water, spread it on the bit and gently rub it to get tough goop off. Just make sure you rinse it off well before you use the bit again! Stainless steel lasts an age, but you should still check your bit for wear and tear when you clean it.

How to look after sweet iron bits

Sweet iron bits are made from a compound of black steel that is designed to rust (or oxidate) when it’s exposed to humid air. That rust gives the bit its ‘sweet’ taste to the horse and encourages acceptance. It’s also why you should rinse and then thoroughly dry a sweet iron bit after each use, to prolong its useful life. If you leave a sweet iron bit for a few days or weeks you might find that it has a thin layer or orange rust on it – this can be wiped off with a cloth.

Taking care of copper bits

You’ll normally find copper used for just part of a mouthpiece, for example as a roller or inlay on the mouthpiece, and it’s designed to encourage salivation and acceptance of the bit. Copper is a soft metal that can wear away more quickly than other metals in a bit, so keep a close eye out for wear and tear. Copper bits need careful cleaning to avoid Verdigris (copper acetate) building up on it. Verdigris is the greenish/blue patina you see on copper, but it is poisonous to horses and humans, so you don’t want your horse ingesting it. You can prevent it building up by washing and drying the bit carefully after each use and consider using pipe cleaners to get into any joints or corners.

Keeping plastic and rubber bits in good shape

The materials used in plastic or rubber bits vary between each manufacturer, but the care remains the same for them all. Rinse the bit in warm water to remove any debris and then let the bit dry normally. When you’re rinsing the bit or when you do a deep clean or your bridle, take the time to check the bit for any cracks, splits and general wear and tear.