By
3Di Design
Intelligent Inventions Limited
Designed in
Australia
Description
The WTP is a revolutionary new horse bit targeted primarily at the Racing and Harness industry to improve performance, comfort and safety. Its unique design incorporates an ergonomic "tongue plate" which protects the tongue from injury often sustained using conventional bits. The WTP also prevents the horse from getting its tongue caught over the bit and displacing the soft palate. This allows better breathing and performance, whilst the added comfort creates a more content and cooperative horse greatly reducing the risk of injury to both horse and rider.
Key Features
and/or Benefits
The jointed snaffle bit remains largely unchanged since the bronze ages, yet is still the most common bit used today. It is well documented that this bit frequently causes painful pinching to the horses tongue, sometimes to the point of drawing blood. To counter this the horse tries to reposition its tongue, often getting it caught over the bit making the horse distressed and dangerous. Due to this many racehorses have their tongues tied in place with various items secured tightly around the tongue and lower jaw. Sadly this does nothing to stop the pinching and only inflicts additional pain.
By incorporating a large enclosed pivot the WTP not only protects the tongue from pinching but greatly reduces the point loading found with conventional bits. The ergonomically contoured tongue plate further distributes these loads over a large area vastly reducing any localised pressure on the tongue. The WTP does not use painful restraints (like tongue ties) to position the tongue, it merely creates a gentle barrier preventing the tongue from lifting over the bit. This allows the tongue to remain in its natural position without distressing the horse.
The WTP has replaced the outdated pivot method with an enclosed geared system that links both mouthpieces to the central tongue plate. By using gears the mouthpieces are no longer independent, being linked in such a way as to maintain the tongue plates central alignment at any mouthpiece angle. The mouthpieces are also limited to one plane of movement preventing the swivelling motion of traditional bits that can result in severe downward pressure on the sensitive parts of the mouth.
Horseracing is a dangerous practice, with a higher risk of fatality than any other sport. There have been over 310 jockey deaths in Australia alone and countless serious injuries. The WTP aims to improve this by providing a more comfortable and settled horse that displays better response to the riders commands. There are many documented testimonials from leading professional jockeys and trainers stating drastic improvements to the horses composure, handling and performance. The WTP creates a greater harmony between horse and rider, significantly reducing risk of injury to both.
Horseracing is a lucrative industry that demands a product have a competitive edge to be successful. Naturally a more comfortable and co-operative horse will perform better on the track, but the WTP provides another advantage. Research shows up to 40% of horses can displace the soft palate by rolling their tongue back or getting it over the bit, thereby disrupting its air supply. Many horses tested using the WTP have overcome this serious problem and demonstrated a remarkable improvement to their performance.