Salox – Sound Science – Good Sense
Engineering Metal for the Mouth – A Warm and Soft Environment
Metals are the first choice for modern horse bits. They have the basic strength to meet the demands of a powerful sport and recreation such as riding and can be formed into an infinite range of precisely defined shapes.
But other than these basic requirements what other properties would the perfect metal possess?
The Neue Schule answer to this question is based on a simple philosophy – that which is good for the horse is all that matters – the rest will follow.
The mouth is warm and soft and needs to remain as calm and still as possible to listen for the rider’s aids. So, after ensuring that basic engineering strength and toughness is satisfied, the metal should then also be:
Warmth
‘Hot’ and ‘cold’ are sensations for the horse that depend on the rate at which heat energy is transferred from, or to, an object in contact with it.
Softness
There is a possibility that many horses will make variable degrees of contact between the teeth and the bit.
Bioactivity
There is a possibility that many horses will make variable degrees of contact between the teeth and the bit.