Hi Ridecampers; I went over shopping to Broken Horn Saddlery , usually one of my favorite treat places to shop. Here is their web site address, in case anyone needs to contact them.
http://www.brokenhornsaddlery.com So in the long ago past they had bicycle chain bits that they sold, most likely to the crazy charro rodeo guys who shop there. Our riding club had written them a few letters, and talked to them personally, telling them that these bits were not only inhumane, but abusive, and that why do they cater to animal abusers? Maybe we should cancel a shopping trip or two and go to somewhere else? Then they stopped offering those bits. Well today, I was looking at bits, and I found a Bicycyle chain mechanical hackamore. The chain goes over the nose part. Imagine the viscious lacerations that could cause in the wrong hands. I was actually...pissed off , in a word, but nobody in management was around to talk to, only the clerks. Guess I'll have to drop them a line, eh?
On a happy note, I got horse fly collars, called "Defy the Fly". Those were enormously helpful last year with my Welsh mare who has a bad fly allergy. It lasted all summer over the worst part of fly season. The only downside, is that they are big and if you had a frisky, small headed horse, they may fall off. My pony is not frisky (30 yrs) so hers stays in place. I can't use one on my three year old, she'd fling it off like a frisby I'm sure. The pony can't have a fly mask 'cause she itches her eyebrows off like sandpaper, and then looks all bald on her face. It's embarassing. yours, Beth