English Riding Supply Recalls Wire Mouth Bits for Horses Due to Risk of Injury
Recall 12190 · May 31, 2012 · English Riding Supply
3,400
units affected
3,400
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 12190
- Date
- May 31, 2012
- Company
- English Riding Supply
- Units affected
- 3,400
- Product
- Happy Mouth Wire Mouth Bits
- Product type
- Horseback Riding (Activity, Apparel or Equipment)
- Remedy
- Refund
- Hazard
- Crash risk
The product
This recall involves eight models of Happy Mouth wire mouth bits used with a bridle in horseback riding. The bits involved in this recall have steel braided wire running through the plastic mouthpiece and most with a metal ring on each end. Model numbers included in the recall are 462172SS, 462177SS, 462181SS, 462184SS, 464123SS, 466898SS, 466904SS and 467248SS. Model numbers can be found on a label attached to the product. "Happy Mouth" is engraved on the plastic mouthpiece.
What can happen
The steel braided wire in the mouthpiece that connects the bit on either side of the horse's cheeks can become frayed, rusted or worn, which can cause the bit to break. If this happens, the rider can lose control and fall from the horse.
The fix
Consumers should immediately stop using these bits and return them to the retailer where purchased or return the bits directly to English Riding Supply for a refund.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- The firm has received four reports of wire bits that have broken and resulted in reports of injuries including broken and fractured bones, bruises and back pain from falls.
- Sold at
- Equestrian riding stores, tack shops, saddlery dealers nationwide, through mail order and by online equestrian retailers from July 2003 through April 2012 for between $30 and $51.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled happy mouth wire mouth bits?
Consumers should immediately stop using these bits and return them to the retailer where purchased or return the bits directly to English Riding Supply for a refund.
What is the hazard?
The steel braided wire in the mouthpiece that connects the bit on either side of the horse's cheeks can become frayed, rusted or worn, which can cause the bit to break. If this happens, the rider can lose control and fall from the horse.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.