The Bombers Bit Eggbutt Happy Tongue is a very popular bit that works on a good variety of horses with different breeding and mouth conformations.
The happy tongue eggbutt bit prevents pinching of the lips as there is no loose ring to pinch against the adjoining hole that fixes to the mouthpiece, and so the eggbutt side pieces give a slightly more solid feel against the side of the horse's face. It also prevents the bit from being pulled through the mouth. The eggbutt happy tongue release is slower, and it is more stable in the horse's mouth without any nut-cracker action usually found in a single-jointed snaffle bit. This makes the horse more confident to go seeking contact with the rider's rein as opposed to avoiding doing so. The Happy Tongue is useful for horses that are busy in the mouth, displaying a lot of chewing or chomping activity associated with a jointed bit design, where there is more potential for movement over the tongue area.
The Happy Tongue is a solid mouthpiece that is ergonomically angled over the bars of the horse's mouth so that the bit action gently wraps the bars of the mouth, while the port gives tongue relief as the rein is taken up to activate contact with the rider's hands.
The Happy Tongue would be a good place to start if your horse is exhibiting the following behaviour:
- excessively busy in the mouth when the bit is present
- Shaking its head
- Sticking its tongue out
- Sucking its tongue back and, as a result, making an intermittent coughing noise
- Trying to put its tongue over the bit
- Going behind the bit to avoid the contact
- Snatching the reins forward and down
- The eggbutt helps when horses possess large, soft lips, which allows for a more snug fit without pinching, so that the port can be positioned more accurately over the horse's tongue area.
The bit is suitable for all riding disciplines, whether hacking or competing and suits horses that may prefer a straight bar type of bit but need room for the tongue
Additionally, all bomber bits are made from blue sweet iron, because it:
- Oxidises easily.
- Stimulates salivation.
- Helps bit acceptance.
- Is warm and sweet.
Please note the blue will fade with use.