Horse lovers- my bit is chewed up (copper), what is the cause? It has become very sharp with deep cuts in it.

I have an english copper d-ring snaffle bit, and my horse is a thoroughbred. The bit seems to fit right, with enough room on one side of the bit to place one finger between it. When she is bitted up, I do not notice any grinding on the bit. Please help me to find out what the problem is, and if it is normal for my bit to have deep teeth marks in it that actually took the copper off the bit. This is the third time she has worn this bridle and bit. Thank you.

Horse lovers- my bit is chewed up (copper), what is the cause? It has become very sharp with deep cuts in it.
She is obviously getting it between her teeth. It might be too loose or too tight. Adjust it so that there is just the slightest hint of a wrinkle at the corner of her mouth. Put your finger in the corner of her mouth and feel where her bars are, there will be a gap two or three fingers wide that is where the bit should lay. Bits are made of copper because it increases salivation and keeps their mouth wet, and they seem to like the taste of copper. Floating teeth every six months is a waste of money. They only need floating when they grind them down to points. This varies from horse to horse, some can go for several years without needing to be floated.
Reply:copper is a very pliable metal, under very little pressure it can bend and even break. I am not a horse girl, as I never got the pony when I was a little girl :-) so I am not sure if they use a copper composite that is mixed with another metal for horse bits, but if it is pure copper, then the cause is most likely the metal itself.





Another thought is that they make it out of copper on purpose so that it can mold to the mouth and be more comfortable? that is also likely...
Reply:I am not sure but have you had her teeth floated ? I think they should be floated twice a year.