Horse Illustrated Magazine

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.

Name of Product: Happy Mouth Wire Mouth Bits

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