The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with English Riding Supply, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Units: About 3,400
Importer: English Riding Supply Inc., of Scranton, Pa.
Manufacturer: Soyo International Corp, of Kobe, Japan
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.
Incidents/Injuries: 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.
Description: 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.
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.
Manufactured in: Korea
Remedy: 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.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact English Riding Supply toll-free at (866) 569-1600 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.englishridingsupply.com. Consumers can also email the firm at hmbits@englishridingsupply.com
This sounds like it is a very serious matter. Check your bits to see if you have any of these.
good information
Oh my! That would be a nasty surprise!
Yikes ! There aren’t usually any horse related recalls
The poor horse(s) that had to discover the bits, that started the recall.
This is why I ride bitless! It’s better for my horse and it makes me a better rider.
I do not have any of these bits, but I did think of buying one when they came out.
What??? Poor quality bits from JAPAN/KOREA causing problems?? Never…
Yikes!