The Swales: less poll pressure does not mean a milder bit
At first sight, a Swales Liverpool can look like simply another Liverpool with a couple of extra rings. Those rings, however, completely change the way the bit works.
On a conventional Liverpool, the cheekpieces of the bridle are attached above the mouthpiece. When the reins act on the lower part of the cheek, the bit works as a lever: the curb chain comes into action and pressure is also transmitted through the bridle towards the poll.
On a Swales, the cheekpieces are attached to separate movable rings positioned around the mouthpiece. Because these rings are not fixed to the upper part of the Liverpool cheek, the usual poll pressure is greatly reduced.
But — and this is the important part — that does not automatically make a Swales a mild bit.
The lower branches can still provide considerable leverage. As the rein is taken up, the curb chain engages and the action is concentrated much more strongly around the mouthpiece, lower jaw and curb groove rather than the poll. The movable cheek rings may also create some inward pressure on the sides of the lips.
This is why a Swales may sometimes suit a strong or very forward horse, or a horse that tends to react badly to poll pressure or over-flex at the poll. At the same time, its concentrated curb action means that it requires an educated, sensitive hand.
And what about the mouthpiece?
Here is another common misunderstanding: “Swales” does not describe the mouthpiece.
Swales cheeks can be combined with different mouthpieces — arched, low-ported, mullen and other designs.
So when assessing a Swales, three separate questions matter:
What is the mouthpiece? Where are the reins attached? How is the curb chain adjusted?
The name Swales tells us something important about how the cheek and bridle attachment alter the action of the bit. It does not, by itself, tell us whether that bit will be mild or severe.
And, as always with driving bits: the hardware is only part of the equation. The horse, the adjustment — and the hands holding the reins — matter just as much.
Did you know?
The Swales is not a modern invention. Frank Swales of London was already patenting improvements to riding and driving bits in the 1890s. His designs specifically dealt with leverage bits used for riding and driving, including the type of cheek associated with Liverpool and coaching bits.
A small reminder that some of the questions we still discuss today about pressure, leverage and comfort were already occupying bit makers more than 130 years ago.