Denture Materials Guide

Bits are available today in a wide variety of shapes and designs. The selection of bit materials is also very diverse. That is why I will introduce you to the bit materials and their specific properties that you can find in the Picadera range in more detail. You will also learn how to care for each material properly. Because respect for the horse's mouth also includes correct and regular cleaning of the bit.

• Stainless steel bits – the classic
• Copper bits – the sweet Sweet Copper variant
• Brass bits
• No longer contemporary – Golden bits made of Argentan, nickel silver or German silver
• Iron bits – the Sweet Iron variant
• Material mix – combining the best

Stainless steel bits – the classic

Stainless steel dentures are among the best known and most widely used dentures in Germany. In English, they are also called stainless steel. Stainless steel is an alloy based on chromium, iron and nickel. The chromium content gives stainless steel dentures their typical silvery shine. Since the nickel in stainless steel dentures is firmly bound (from a chemical point of view), it does not cause allergies. Stainless steel is also used in surgery, for example.

Stainless steel bits are particularly resistant to wear and tear and do not rust. The bits can vary greatly in weight, as they are made in both hollow and solid versions. Stainless steel bits are odorless and tasteless and therefore do not encourage additional chewing activity.

Proper care of stainless steel bits

Stainless steel bits are easy to clean. To ensure that your bits last as long as possible, they should be washed under clean water after each use and then dried. If they are very dirty, you can also use a standard cleaning sponge.

Copper bits – the sweet Sweet Copper variant

Bits made of copper are becoming increasingly popular. Sweet Copper is a solid material with almost 90 percent copper content. This gives the bit its golden color.

The Sweet Copper bit has several advantages. The solid copper connection makes the bit very strong. Sweet Copper bits are also nickel-free and therefore a good alternative for horses with a nickel intolerance. The Sweet Copper bit has a sweet taste, which is why many horses accept it well. The pleasant taste also has a positive effect on chewing and mouth activity. This stimulates saliva production. For many horses, increased chewing contributes to general well-being and better permeability.

Sweet Copper has another great practical feature: this material absorbs heat particularly quickly. In other words, it is easier to "pre-warm" it by hand in winter before bridling sensitive horses.

How to care for a Sweet Copper denture

After training, this material should also be washed with water and dried. Over time, the copper bit can tarnish slightly due to oxidation (chemical reaction with oxygen). This is a natural process and not a quality defect. In this case, you can simply polish your bit with a commercially available polishing agent. You should then carefully clean the bit again under water and dry it.

Brass bits

Brass is made from a combination of copper and zinc. In some cases, additional metals are added. Brass bits are usually golden in color, which is why they are often used in classical baroque riding, as their color matches the rest of the equipment very well. The color of the bit changes depending on the amount of zinc it contains and can vary quite a lot overall.

Brass bits have a high corrosion resistance and are therefore quite durable.

Cleaning & care of the brass bit:

However, brass bits can also tarnish over time and lose their shine. Therefore, you should polish these bits regularly so that you and your horse can enjoy them for as long as possible. Brass bits should be cleaned daily with water. You can then dry the bit with a soft cloth.

In addition to the gold-colored brass bit, there are also bits made of brass that are additionally chrome-plated. The chrome plating gives the bit a silver color and sets it apart from the classic brass bit.

No longer contemporary – Golden bits made of Argentan, nickel silver or German silver

In the past, a fairly common alloy for bits was Argentan, also known as German Silver or Nickel Silver. Today, this material is mainly used to make very cheap bits. Depending on the composition, these bits have a silver to gold color. However, this alloy contains nickel and can cause allergies in some horses. That is why you won't find any bits made of Argentan at Picadera.

Iron bits – the Sweet Iron variant

Iron bits have a long tradition and were often used as bits for working horses in the past. In Spain, burnished iron is the classic material used to make bits. Iron bits are also known from western riding. The bit stands out at first glance due to its dark brown to black color.

By browning the bit (traditionally this is done by dipping it in a molten salt solution), the iron bit is given a light rust protection and its distinctive color. The browning layer is a very thin layer on the iron - not a coating or alloy - and is not harmful to the horse (otherwise the Iberians would probably have died out long ago 😉).

Due to natural oxidation processes, rust forms on the bit during use, which naturally promotes salivation and chewing in the horse due to its sweet taste. This also changes the colour of the mouthpiece over time. The resulting rust is a characteristic and desired feature of traditionally burnished bits.

How to care for a Sweet Iron bit

Sweet Iron bits require special care. You should not wash the bit after use, but simply wipe it dry with a soft cloth. The cloth should then of course be washed regularly.

The Sweet Iron bit should be given an intensive care treatment from time to time. I recommend removing coarse dirt with a little water. After drying, the bit can be rubbed with a cloth soaked in olive oil (or another vegetable oil of your choice). This will give the Sweet Iron bit a nice dark shine and delay the formation of rust.

To protect the material, burnished products are also delivered with a film of grease.

Material mix – combining the best

All of the listed bit materials have their advantages. With some bits, a mix of materials gives you the opportunity to combine the advantages of the different materials in one bit.

With the curb bit shown in the photo, you can see the mix of materials at first glance. The side parts are made of black burnished iron, while the Mullen-Mouth bit is made of stainless steel. This mix of materials is ideal if, for example, you like the chic, black look of the burnished iron, but your horse gets on better with a stainless steel mouthpiece. This way, neither you nor your horse have to make any compromises - a win-win situation!

The right bit material for your horse

As you can see, each material has certain properties and a characteristic appearance. There are horses that accept the bit more happily when the right material is selected. For example, if the material encourages chewing and makes it easier for the horse to relax its jaw and neck.

However, it often happens that the horse does not have a particular preference when it comes to material. In this case, you can decide which bit you think looks the best and which fits best with your equipment.

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The right bit for every horse

At Picadera you will find Bits made from many different materials. Here is a small selection of our most popular models: