Posted 11 years ago
hanarab
(1 item)
Got this at a horse tack swap. Not sure what it is. Thought it might be some kind of horse bit. No way to open it up to hang anything on it. When you pull on one end prongs poke through holes and are spring loaded. When you release the prongs go back in flush with the slotted ring. Made of all aluminum but for the rings on either end seem to be nickel. Stamped on one end:
REG. PAT. D 160.249
MADE IN ENGLAND
OK ... I had to look it up and ask a friend who trains driving horses to confirm what I thought it is was. Its a 'mechanical training driving bit' - its used to train 'pairs' of horses to drive together in harness (like pulling a wagon). It is put in the more experienced horses mouth and the horse that is the least experienced (and being trained) is attached to the 'cage' side - so when the horse being trained pulls on the bit the springs keep it from injuring the other horses mouth or pull it off balance. Keep it safe - they are hard to find and normally you have to go to the manufacturer directly to obtain one at a starting cost of approximately $280.00 and up. I purchased similar one from a used tack shop and it took me almost a year to find/figure out what it was. Hope this helps.