Aster Yield Sweet Iron Balance Cheek Universal
Movement without severity, combined with stability, direction and greater refinement.
The Aster Yield Sweet Iron Balance Cheek Universal combines our softly articulated Yield mouthpiece with the stabilising benefits of the Aster Balance Cheek and the additional rein options of a Universal cheek. The Yield mouthpiece is Aster’s refined interpretation of the traditional multi-articulated Waterford-style mouthpiece. Its multiple smooth points of articulation create a mobile mouthpiece that reduces the fixed surface available for the horse to take hold of, lean against or brace upon. Unlike more traditional Waterford designs, Yield has been developed with particular consideration given to the shape and interaction of the individual links, creating a gentler interface designed to reduce the potential for pinching and unnecessary intensity.
The Aster Balance Cheek incorporates two small Fulmer-style arms positioned at either side of the mouthpiece. These help stabilise the bit within the mouth, provide additional lateral guidance for steering and direction, and help prevent the lips and corners of the mouth from becoming caught or pinched between the mouthpiece and cheek. This creates an important balance within the design: the Yield mouthpiece remains mobile and responsive through its articulation, while the Balance Cheeks prevent the entire bit from becoming excessively mobile or unstable within the mouth. Paired with the Universal cheek, the rider also has greater flexibility in rein positioning and the ability to introduce additional cheek and poll influence when required. This makes the combination particularly useful for jumping horses that can become stronger, heavier or less manoeuvrable as the work becomes more demanding, while still allowing the rider to prioritise movement and communication rather than simply progressing to a stronger mouthpiece.
The sweet iron mouthpiece is designed to naturally oxidise with use, producing the characteristic taste associated with sweet iron and encouraging acceptance and salivation in horses that prefer this material. The result is a highly considered combination of mouthpiece mobility, cheek stability, directional support and additional influence when required.
MAY PARTICULARLY SUIT HORSES THAT:
• Take hold of the bit or become fixed in the contact.
• Lean or brace against a more stable mouthpiece.
• Become stronger as a jumping round or faster work progresses.
• Benefit from a mobile mouthpiece but become unsettled when the entire bit moves excessively within the mouth.
• Need greater stability at the sides of the mouth without losing articulation through the mouthpiece.
• Benefit from additional steering and directional guidance, particularly when jumping.
• Tend to drift, fall through a shoulder or become difficult to turn when excited or strong.
• Are prone to pinching at the corners of the mouth with conventional cheek arrangements.
• Need more influence than a standard snaffle while retaining flexibility in how the bit is configured.
• Benefit from additional lifting influence when required.
• Prefer the taste and feel of sweet iron.
• Need an alternative to simply increasing mouthpiece severity when they become strong or fixed in the contact.
DESIGN FEATURES:
• Aster Yield multi-articulated mouthpiece.
• Multiple smooth points of articulation designed to reduce the fixed surface available for the horse to brace against.
• Refined articulation designed as a gentler alternative to a traditional Waterford-style mouthpiece.
• Sweet iron mouthpiece designed to naturally oxidise with use.
• Aster Balance Cheeks incorporating two small Fulmer-style arms for increased stability.
• Balance Cheeks provide additional lateral guidance to aid steering and direction.
• Designed to help prevent pinching at the corners of the mouth.
• Universal cheeks providing additional rein-position options and the potential for increased cheek and poll influence.
• Combines mobility through the mouthpiece with stability at the sides of the mouth.
• Developed for horses that need movement, stability, direction and additional communication without simply increasing mouthpiece severity.
