[crayon]

I'm an english rider, so I usually ride Crayon with a happy mouth english bit. But I wanted to try a bit of western with her and see how both of us like it. If things go well, I want to see if she'll go well in a short curb bit. But I have a few questions...

First, I want to get either a copper or sweet iron mouthpiece. Crayon has a very soft mouth and I want to maintain that. Which one do you think is better and why?

I also just found a happy mouth curb, but I can only get that if I don't need a port. So that depends on the 2nd question I guess.

Second, what is a port for? I don't know if I need something with a port or not.

Thanks.

[horse-poor]

I heard that a port was to provide tongue relief. That would prevent the horse from using its tongue to evade the bit. Seems like it would be unnecessary for Crayons soft mouth.
Sweet iron and copper are both used to encourage salivation in the horses mouth to keep their mouth soft.

[Capilet]

Unless you are showing, you can use the same snaffle bit for western that you use for english.

[Falstar]

when i ride a soft mouthed horse i usualy use a regualar curb bit with a copper roller for them to play with and keep thier mouth wet

[crayon]

Hmmm... Maybe I can find a mullen mouth or sweetwater curb with a copper mouthpiece. It would be nice to see if I could get her into a better neck flexion.