Expensive bits

Halfpass

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Are they really worth it?

Have been using a kk ultra when schooling my girl and she goes very nicely in it.
I use a plain snaffle for hacking which she is also good in.

I wanted to combine the 2 as she seems to prefer a fixed ring (hacking bit) but seems much softer in the kk type joint and she seems to prefer the metal of the kk.

I decided to have a look at a fixed ring kk and couldn't believe i'd be looking at near on £150 to buy one (the one I use is borrowed!!)

My question is are the expensive bits really worth the money or would I be better off just buying a fixed ring with a lozenge joint?

This
http://www.classicdressage.com/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=139
or this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CS-Lozenge-Eg...5fc4061712a0a0aad4157a15feb76bd5#ht_642wt_818
or somewhere in the middle this
http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/addtocart.asp?itemid=1846
 
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The difference with the KK or Neue Schule bits is in the metal that they use, and in the angle of the lozenge and the design of the bit. The knock off versions don't have the same angle on the lozenge, and if that is what your horse likes, I'm afraid you do have to pay out. I'd say go for NS as they are a bit cheaper than KK.
 
Thanks Halfstep I thought as much. I was just horrified at the thought of spending £150 on a bit!! Will look into the NS if they are similar to the kk then.
 
I think it just depends on what suits the horse.

OH has a very big 18.2 + warmblood,with a small pony sized mouth. Before he came to us he had been ridden in draw reins and was so fussy in his mouth it was unbelievable. OH tried a huge variety of different snaffles, costing the earth (borrowed or bought second hand!), the one he has settled in best was a very thin loose ring (horse has a huge tongue to go with his pony sized trap:)) which cost £8.99 from the local tack shop:rolleyes:

Have always used a neue scheule (sp) on my lad, 3 years down the line he is still in the training snaffle that was used when we backed him. We have used the NS on a number of other horses, who seem to like them, ok they are not the cheapest, but by no means the most expensive.

Can you borrow a fixed ring with a lozenge joint? if it works you have saved a load of pennies:)
 
Have asked around but no one has one!! Will see if I can hire one. She is quite fussy in her mouth at the best of times so don't want to go shoving loads of different bits her mouth till I find one that suits.
 
The difference with the KK or Neue Schule bits is in the metal that they use, and in the angle of the lozenge and the design of the bit. The knock off versions don't have the same angle on the lozenge, and if that is what your horse likes, I'm afraid you do have to pay out. I'd say go for NS as they are a bit cheaper than KK.

Glad the brand marketing worked on you!

I object to my fathers range being referred to as knock offs, and yes we looked at the angle of the lozenge :p In fact we are the only company manufacturing our tongue saver in a baucher, the only thing that comes close is the Sprenger dynamic at £100+ and it doesn't have the same tongue space.

Frankly your horse doesn't care whether it cost £20 or £180 as long as they like it and find it comfy
 
Glad the brand marketing worked on you!

I object to my fathers range being referred to as knock offs, and yes we looked at the angle of the lozenge :p In fact we are the only company manufacturing our tongue saver in a baucher, the only thing that comes close is the Sprenger dynamic at £100+ and it doesn't have the same tongue space.

Frankly your horse doesn't care whether it cost £20 or £180 as long as they like it and find it comfy

Sorry, I didn't realise that anyone else made bits this way, so that is very good to know!

All of my KK bits have been bought second hand off ebay.......
 
i think that its a case of trial and error unfortunately - try the bit bank as you can hire from there. my horse loves the NS metal (salox or whatever it is) but he has a soft/wet mouth generally. got mine for £30 off ebay...
 
I'm inclined to say no - how on earth can there be over £100 of difference in two bits that look so very similar?! Sadly my mare doesn't see my way on this and goes so very much better in the pricey ones!
 
I'm inclined to say no - how on earth can there be over £100 of difference in two bits that look so very similar?! Sadly my mare doesn't see my way on this and goes so very much better in the pricey ones!

yes, and i'll add that the expensive ones are usually made of metals that won't leach nasty oxides into the horse's saliva. i think this can make as much difference as the angle of the lozenge etc etc.
just as with saddles and everything else, some horses are sensitive and will tell the rider immediately that they aren't happy with something, while others will soldier on and put up with just about anything...
i think of the bit, like the saddle, as being my primary 'interface' with the horse, so it has to be right - and that's why i don't mind spending ££s on bits... but equally, if the horse goes more happily in a cheap one, fine.
 
yes, and i'll add that the expensive ones are usually made of metals that won't leach nasty oxides into the horse's saliva. i think this can make as much difference as the angle of the lozenge etc etc.
just as with saddles and everything else, some horses are sensitive and will tell the rider immediately that they aren't happy with something, while others will soldier on and put up with just about anything...
i think of the bit, like the saddle, as being my primary 'interface' with the horse, so it has to be right - and that's why i don't mind spending ££s on bits... but equally, if the horse goes more happily in a cheap one, fine.

.. and it's not like they wear out, go out of fashion or need re-fitting or anything! A super comfy bit is well worth it, if that is a £10 for your horse then you are lucky, if not then it is still money well spent I think.
 
depends entirely on the horse. Bruce goes best in a £12.99 plastic snaffle, and a £15.99 stainless steel curb, (after experimenting with the entire Neue Schule and Sprenger range :sigh:)

CS demands that only a Neue Schule team up(£35) and forward port weymouth(£120) will do!
 
Red loves his KK Ultra and his Myler :rolleyes: But nothing I can do about it- my RI had the KK which she didn't use anymore so sold it to me for £40- they are £130 new :eek: - I was very lucky! :p IMO they are worth it if the horse goes best in them :)
 
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