about sweet iron bits and rust formation on it

Question
hello ma'am, many horsemen say that the rust formed on sweet iron bits produces a got taste for the horse. isn't it toxic? how long can a sweet iron bit last if i regularly clean the bit and preserve it?

Answer
 Rust IS harmful to a horse's digestive tract. It does not pass through. It just stays in it.


You can use steel wool to clean rust from a sweet iron bit, however you have to be SO careful that there is no residue left. The small bits of steel could be very harmful to the horse's mouth and digestive tract.

I would prefer trying  vinegar, but that is not practical if there is a lot of rust. If the bit has a lot of rust on it, you will need to get a new bit. That is one of the reasons why many horsemen choose stainless steel bits.