I can't say about this one, but I own a rubber bit, and going on the way it flexes, it doesn't feel like there is anything other than rubber in it. I kind of like having it around, so I won't cut it in half just to find out.
They are usually considered training bits, and it is my understanding that some types of competitions specifically exclude rubber bits (most likely as a safety issue).
Yep, they do. Some people use them for starting colts (I imagine they go through a lot of them, don't you?). There's a driving trainer with a bunch of videos on YouTube that uses them for re-bitting horses whose mouths have been ruined by harsh bits in ignorant hands. I don't know how many times I've heard him say, "'ere you see 'im, goin' along, 'appy an' quiet with just a piece of rubber in 'is mouth."
And on a slightly sadder note, found this story. People make me so mad. At least they turned themselves in and signed them over though but WTF???? If you can't care for them or don't want to anymore, get help and/or surrender them instead of letting them suffer for a year or longer? What the heck.
Look at the photo gallery at the bottom
http://www.nh1.com/news/2-facing-an...fter-4-emaciated-horses-removed-from-nh-farm/
Mostly the same details but a little more and def more pictures.
http://www.nh1.com/news/4-horses-found-in-unsafe-conditions-at-nh-farm-seized-by-police/
UGh
WOW. Those poor things!
