Adapt the flexibility and cushioning of your bit
I-bride mouthpieces are a concentrate of technology developed around flexibility, damping and ergonomics.
I-Bride innovation is a mouthpiece made of 3 layers, each one offering specific properties thanks to 2 flexibilities.
3 cushionings
Soft
Absorbent cushioning
Choosing a soft I-BRIDE bit means opting for highly comfortable damping. Information from the rider’s hands will be significantly absorbed by the mouthpiece.
This bit allows you to establish contact with your horse while preserving all points of support, thereby protecting its temporomandibular joint (TMJ), other joints, and ligaments.
Shock absorption is prioritized here over responsiveness, but the bit can still offer very good dynamism.
Soft damping is identified by its orange color.
Medium
Intermediate cushioning
Choosing a medium I-BRIDE bit means selecting a balance between an absorbing and a firm mouthpiece.
With this mouthpiece, you will experience dynamic and energetic feedback from the horse. Similar to a spring, the energy generated by the rider’s hand action is absorbed for improved redistribution.
Medium damping is identified by its green color.
Strong
Reactive cushioning
Choosing a strong I-Bride bit means opting for a better reactivity of the horse in response to the rider’s hand action. This bit offers an optimal feedback.
Informations coming from the rider’s hand is finely transcribed to the horse. The rider thus controls the information transmitted to the horse and obtains an immediate reaction without interference from the horse to his request.
To be noted:
- This mouthpiece is less absorbent than the medium and the soft ones, but has good damping.
- The joints, TMJ, ligaments and muscles of the horse will be under more stress.
The strong damping is recognized by its blue color.
2 flexibilities
The three damping levels described above are available in two flexibilities. Greater flexibility allows for more precise transmission of information from your hands to your horse, particularly during flexion or rotation requests. However, each flexibility stimulates different mechanoreceptors. Therefore, understanding your horse’s sensitivity is crucial for selecting the optimal flexibility.
Flex +
Corresponds to our most important flexibility
This represents our highest level of flexibility
Opting for the Flex+ means choosing a softer, more encompassing bit that will apply pressure to the bars, soft tissues, and corners of the mouth (commissures). In essence, it will stimulate the same mechanoreceptors as a double-jointed bit.
The Flex+ mouthpiece is identifiable by its lighter color.
Flex –
Corresponds to our more rigid flexibility
This indicates our stiffer flexibility.
Opting for the Flex– means choosing a more rigid bit that will have a more direct action on the tongue. In essence, it will stimulate the same mechanoreceptors as a straight bar bit.
Some horses are very sensitive to pressure exerted on the bars. In this case, the Flex– is an excellent solution for improving stability.
The Flex– mouthpiece is identifiable by its darker color.