Leather bits - please don't shoot me!

I know its they're evil tools of torture but... I had never heard of these until today! http://www.finntack.com/Product.aspx?ItemID=13540 Apparently they do go yucky...

Anyone heard of them?

No I hadn't although I know rawhide and leather bits have been used in history.

I bet they are probably kinder but eww, wouldn't they go slimey

Interesting stuff, thanks for posting. I'll still be sticking with my bitless though

I see them frequently at the track.

Aha! I guess the leather moves independently of the metal bit giving the horse a bit of a warning. They can pick up cues better. They also can't pinch the mouth because of the pieces between the rings and the lips. Some of them also have tongue ties on them.
If it was jointed and covered in leather, much like a rubber bit the nutcracker effect would be lessened.

(Talking to old trainer I know, very handy)

Either way, I have seen them used. Never asked until now. They do get hard when they dry out and can harbor mold and other nasty bacteria.