happy mouth vs nathe

I've used both and am a huge fan. I started my horse as a 3 yo in a Nathe french link and we both absolutely loved it. She's now 7 and has a happy mouth straight bar.

I believe Nathe is stronger as it has steel bar through the centre but both are fabulous bits for horses with sensitive mouths. My horse still has a beautiful mouth despite my less than perfect hands and she hates steel/traditional bits.
 
my horse goes really well in a flexi mouth stright bar (having tried numerous other bits) as it was a fraction of the price i decided to try that first before a nathe!
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sorry, forgot to finish post.

i don't like the material they are made out of. they seem harsher and scratchier than metal or rubber. also, my horse is a bit of a bit chewer, and the happy mouth bits get very sharp with even the smallest chew. i think, at least rubber, for all it's faults doesn't actually hurt them in that way.

also, it was pointed out only yesterday to me... they have raised writing on the edge which most people sit on the inside of the bit... which means it rubs against the sensitive sides of the horse's mouth.

my horse isn't a steel fan, so i'm trying him on an assortment of bits that are higher in copper. which he doesn't seem to mind.

however, i know millions of people LOVE them. they just don't suit me (or my horse)... xxx
 
I usually use either a Neue Schule or Sprenger on my young horses but one of them only seems to be settled in an eggbut happy mouth. Interestingly his mother never really settled in a metal bit. She could be quite strong but became much easier to ride cross country in a straight bar nathe. I guess it is a question of trial and error.
 
I have only recently (in the last 3 months) changed to a Nathe straight bar (loose ring) on my mare. I was reluctant to try it as peviously I had used a straight bar happy mouth which she had not been happy in and it had chafed her mouth. I changed her to a loose ring snaffle with losenge (NS) which she initially went fab in and then she became too mouthy again and so put her in the Nathe and she is a completely different horse. I chose a thinner one as I found the fatter the bit the worse she was as regards to acceptance. It really has been trial and error for me though. Who knows she may need changing back to the losenge every once in a while! But whilst she is happy I aint changing nothing.
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