Alternative to Happy Mouths?

[Twiglet]

Happy Mouth have very kindly decided to stop doing my horse's bit in his size

They've gone to only doing full and half sizes whereas he is a perfect fit for a 5 1/4.

Can anyone recommend an alternative for a loose ring single jointed Happy Mouth snaffle? Would look at eggbut or jointed with lozenge, but not french link as he doesn't go well with the flat 'plate' joint.

 

[Alibear]

So you're after a non metal bit still?

What about a nathe bit? Various places sell them , this is from a quick google.

http://www.maxihealth.co.uk/Magnolife_Catalogue_Nathe_Bits_104.html

 

[Twiglet]

Preferably yes - he's got a really soft mouth and doesn't really go well with metallic bits.

 

[flyingfeet]

Nathes are metric but do a 13.5cm

However that said I defy anyone to prove 1/4" makes a difference - 3mm either side of the mouth in terms of floppy lips makes very little difference

However great tool for selling more bits after convincing dopey customers that 1/2" size just won't do.

Plus about time everyone stopped using inches - we are metric!! Rant over!!

 

[Twiglet]

[ QUOTE ]
Nathes are metric but do a 13.5cm

However that said I defy anyone to prove 1/4" makes a difference - 3mm either side of the mouth in terms of floppy lips makes very little difference

However great tool for selling more bits after convincing dopey customers that 1/2" size just won't do.

Plus about time everyone stopped using inches - we are metric!! Rant over!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that implying I'm 'dopey'?!!! He's very sensitive and parrot mouthed, so yes 1/4 inch does make a difference - thanks for your extremely 'helpful' reply anyway!!

 

[flyingfeet]

[ QUOTE ]
Is that implying I'm 'dopey'?!!! He's very sensitive and parrot mouthed, so yes 1/4 inch does make a difference - thanks for your extremely 'helpful' reply anyway!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Not implying you are dopey, but it is definitely used as a sales ploy. Generally fashion related.

Again 3mm either side (actually 2.5m if they are metric) especially on a loose ring makes b*gger all difference. All I'm saying is that you are disregarding a 14cm on the basis that it will make a huge difference.

Your money to waste - but bear in mind bits are made 99% in china using metric moulds.

 

[Hattikins]

Have to say i agree with Twiglet on this one, i have my mare in a happy mouth 4 3/4" and a 5" is just too big for her mouth, she also has a very sensitive parrot mouth

Hadnt realised they've stopped doing 1/4 sizes - damn!!!!!

 

[clairencappelli]

For some odd reason happy mouths are the oddest sized bits on the market that ive ever come across.

I got carried away and overbittied my horse last year and was told by someone who is a brill rider its all totally wrong for her.

I was ordered to put her in a flexi rubber snaffle which i did but she chewed it badly to start with the 2nd rubber one she seemed better but i didnt like the thickness of it and she has a shallow mouth.

When i went to buy a happy mouth armed with the rubber bit she had been it they came up so odd in size.

The 5 inch which looked better as it had smaller side rings was about 1/4 inch shorter than the 5 inch bit i had taken and had a really really thin mouthpiece.

The 5.5 inch seemed a bit chunky but still thinner than what i had so i ended up going with that one. My horse seems really happy in it, but it could do with being .5 of an inch smaller but its doesnt make a ton of difference tho.

If anyone knows of any other eggbutt non matel bit than is a mullen mouth id be very interested in looking into it. Loose rings seem to pinch her badly in happy mouth even with bit guards and seem very sharp around the hole.