English Riding Supply Recalls Wire Mouth Bits
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

---

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Communications Washington, D.C.
________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2012
Release #12-190  

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 569-1600
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

English Riding Supply Recalls Wire Mouth Bits for Horses Due to Risk of Injury

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, 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.

• Back
• Respond to Editor
• Printer Friendly Version
• Send This To a Friend