The 3 different types of rubber block horse bits: Explained

In a recent episode of our podcast, Bit By Bit, we chatted with Adam Rittenberg, owner of AJR Sport to take a deep dive into rubber block bits. Adam is incredibly passionate about his rubber block bits and has created three unique designs. We enjoyed getting to walk through all the different kinds while being able to look at and feel them straight off the bit wall at our Tryon store.

Michelle

You have three rubber block bits that look identical so I was hoping you could walk us through some of the differences.

Adam

So it’s a great question. You know, I wanted to create variations of things because not every horse responds the same way.

It’s every rider’s hand, not every rider’s hand is educated enough to use a certain strength. So I wanted to create levels of the same products because there’s tons of mouthpieces that work for a horse, but sometimes you’re like, I just wish it was a little stronger. I just wish it was a little softer. I just wish we could find the middle ground. So I said, well, with three options, you can’t really miss, right?

So with all my rubber block bits, the bit tapers towards the center. Basically, the blocks start a little bit thicker towards the cheek piece, and then as you move towards the center, they decrease. And that was designed specifically to create more room for the tongue and cover more surface area on the bar of the mouth.

I do get the question, “Why didn’t you use thinner blocks toward where the bar of the mouth is”? Well, the thinner the block, the harsher the effect, the stronger the effect. This way you cover more surface area on the bar of the mouth. So it’s not as sharp. This design can be sharp if it’s thinner.

Michelle

Even if you run your hands on it, you’ll feel the diameter of those decreases. It’s fairly comfortable. The edges aren’t sharp. A lot of thought clearly went into this and how it was rounded. It is a block bit, but it’s not squared off and sharp. It’s definitely got a rounded edge.

Adam

So what happens with the V shape is it’s not straight up and down. Because it’s not straight up and down, the V-shape contours without pinching. So you’re not going to pinch the bar of the mouth.

Michelle

Now, tell me about the textile, like the actual, like the core of these mouthpieces, because they all look the same, but they clearly different.

Adam

Let’s start with the most flexible. This is called the rubber block Flexi full cheek. The inner wire of that bit has a graded stainless steel wire, which is then closed with little rivets to seal it so it can wrap around the cheekpiece and around the little bearing that the cheekpiece moves on. And then it’s covered with a plastic tube. So that prevents the wire from coming through, but also gives the very central part of that bit a little more stiffness than the outer sides of that bit.

It’s a little stiffer towards the center. Then in order to seal that too, so it’s not sliding on the mouth even inside the mold, we heat seal with a rubber sealant. Then it’s placed in the mold and it’s injected with TPU. So TPU is like a Kong ball for a dog. So it’s less strong than vulcanite. Vulcanite has sulfur and other compounds.

Michelle

I see what you’re saying. In the middle it’s incredibly flexible. So the horse can gum it and do whatever. So this model, the Flexi was really interesting when I designed that bit. The single joint version was just too strong for some horses and it didn’t suit horses with a low pallet. When I made it flexible, the horse leans against those blocks, it’ll still feel those V channels and discouraging from fixing and leaning.

Michelle

Gotcha. I’ve got a horse that kind of prefers this exact sort of mouthpiece. It’s not too hard, not too soft, and it’s his favorite sort of thing to go in. So I’m excited to try one of these on him.

Adam

He’s going to like it. It’s suitable for a lot of horses. I mean, young horses. There’s no limitation.

Michelle

So our next rubber block bit, it bends, but you have to put a little elbow into it too and it stays.

Adam

The Flexi Morph design was actually created by accident, if I must admit. When I was first doing the flexi mouth, I was speaking with my production team and I said, look, this bit has to be flexi, but it has to have a wire inside. They put a different kind of wire inside and when I saw the outcome of this, I said I love it.

I love it because it gives you a two-in-one. You can shape it how you want and it’ll stay for the duration of the ride. It will be straight if you want it to be straight. It’s not going to bend unless you have a freight train. You know, they can mouth it to a point where they feel comfortable.

Michelle

You know, they can almost customize the fit in their mouth.

Adam

That’s what I love about that bit. You nailed it. It’s totally customizable. You can make the right side a little higher. You can make the left. Whatever you feel is good for your horse and whatever gives you the best feeling.

It was a mistake that turned into a success.

Michelle

Let’s just finish up with the final piece is the one that just absolutely doesn’t move at all.

Adam

The Fixed rubber block mouthpiece, I really like this because there’s so many horses that need just a little bit more. But when you go to something like stainless steel, you get such a reaction. No one makes a stiff rubber in a thinner diameter that I’m aware of, which is something we’re developing now in a mullen shape or straight shape. This really just nails it. You find that middle ground with this design.

Thank you so much to Adam for answering all the questions! The Farm House publishes weekly podcasts on YouTube and Spotify with more information on bitting. If you have any questions for The Farm House or for AJR Sport, email farmhousetack@gmail.com or leave a comment below.