Shires Sweet Iron Three Ring Dutch Gag with Lozenge - 4.5"

Sweet iron encourages salivation and produces a pleasant taste in the horse?s mouth. The copper lozenge adds warmth. Raised copper ribs can help to prevent the horse taking too much of a hold. The 5" and smaller sizes come with shorter cheeks to ensure the bit remains in proportion with the smaller head. Mouthpiece Thickness: 16mm, Cheek Height: 145mm (4.5", 5")  180mm (5.5") Please note: Sweet iron is made from black iron and copper, creating a metal that promotes moisture in the horse’s mouth. The black iron and copper compound slowly causing oxidisation and rust.  Slow-acting and harmless to horses, the oxidation has a sweet taste which the horse likes and which encourages salivation.  This metal will almost always discolour. The cheeks and joints of the bits are made from stainless steel which will not rust. A bit made of sweet iron will last for years and year and the rust will not flake off or harm the horse. The moisture in the air will also cause it to rust in the same way as it does with salvia. The only way to prevent this from happening is to store the bit in a heated environment. You can easily rub the bit down with very fine sandpaper which will remove the rust and will have no adverse effects on the bit or its use. We would also recommend washing the bit after every use but make sure that it is dried thoroughly. You can also coat it with vegetable oil when not in use again to slow the oxidization process down.