Happy Mouth v Sprenger duo or Nathe

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wildandwoolly

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Looking to pick expert brains here!

I have heard that Happy Mouth bits can cause soreness, possibly something to do with the plastic they are made of or the way they are finished?

Are the same problems experienced with either Sprenger Duo or Nathe bits? They are considerably more expensive and I wondered whether the material they were made from was less likely to cause a reaction (hypoallergenic?). I am thinking ahead for a young horse and wondered how much I should be saving!

Look forward to any replies.

Thank you.

W & W
 
Hi happy mouth bits aren't very well finished so if they are loose ring, the sharp edges can catch horses mouths.
Nathe and duo are much better finished bits, but are more flexible, so some horses lean on them more. Nathe is generally the softest, with the duo next.
Another one to consider is the flexi, which is more rigid and IMO better finished than the happy mouth.
Another thing to consider is the happy mouth and flexi that have ridges are no longer dressage legal.
I have a horse that suffers from a split mouth, but can also be strong, I ride her in a duo D ring Mullen mouth for flat work and hacking. Really nice bit, but she's too strong in the equivalent nathe.
 
I rode a horse in a nathe that was fussy and sooo light in your hand nothing happy about happy mouths in my experience
 
I have both of mine in straight (OK, slightly curved!) Nathe bits. One of them does chew hers quite a lot and has made it a bit rough but doesn't seem too bothered by the rough bits, but horses are so stoical so I do worry about it a little. Difficult to know what is the kindest way to control a horse, each method seems to have its drawbacks, but for now I will stick with my Nathes.
 
Thank you all for your replies, they are very helpful. I think I'll not bother with a HM as the boy is quite sensitive and it would be our luck for him to get a really sore mouth just when we are starting out.

I didn't realise the ridge HM type bits are no longer dressage legal so thanks for that Topaz Tiger.

Can anyone tell me whether a D ring mullen mouth bit has a different effect to a full cheek mullen mouth? At moment I am considering a Nathe mullen mouth with cheeks.
 
I would like to re-open this thread rather than opening a new one and ask for some opinions regarding which bit DUO or Nathe (loose ring, mullen) you would find more suited for a horse with a small mouth and little space? I know the duo is not as thick but I was wondering which one would take less room in the mouth due to the different shapes and materials of the bits... also if you have a usual bit size of 5 1/4 should you rather buy 5" or 5 1/2" as nathe bits do not come in 5 1/4.
thanks a lot for your answers!!!
 
I have a loose ring nathe in a 5 1/4" - i'm sure That's what it is as I had to search for bits in this size as not all makes have it.
 
Ah thanks, I could only find them in full cm's. That solves one problem :)
I still don't know which one of them to get though. They seem so similar...
 
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