Nathe Bit/General bit question

[clipclop]

I have been pondering for some time on changing my horse's bit.

He is currently in a french link happy mouth. However, although he goes quite nicely in this bit (compared to the zillion others we have tried) he does have a tendancy to avoid taking the contact fully.

I have been pondering for a while on trying the Nathe bits (The happy mouth ones don't seem to last too long before they are sharp from being chewed on) Can someone just clarify that Nathe bits are chew resistant?

What would you guys choose? Straight bar or the linked ones? Or something else?

 

[flyingfeet]

Nathe are not chew resistant - no synthetic bit is

However the material is far softer than the happy mouth, so they are not as lethal when chewed. They are also more flexible which can help slow down a horse that tends to chew.

I would also recommend setting them slightly lower in the mouth (one wrinkle rather than two) as this stops them going straight onto the back teeth.

If you want your horse to take a hold of the bit I think a straight bar may be worth trying.

 

[clipclop]

Thank you ever so much for your reply

I think you have clarified what I am thinking and that is to go for the straight bar.
It's well worth a try anyway. It has been a little while since I have played the "bit lottery" I will just have another little dabble and see if it makes the difference or not. Else I will just go back to what I have been using.

You know how it is? Everything is fine but you just feel that something needs tweaking or at least experimenting with.

Thanks xx

 

[flyingfeet]

Actually I think everyone should change their bit regularly.

If nothing else it gives the bars of the mouth and the nerves a freshen up. If your horse is super happy in their bit still worth putting it higher / lower in the mouth to stop the nerves going dead.

I like the nathe bits, very good if your horse is backing off and you want them to take hold.

Good luck with it!

 

[clipclop]

Thank you. You appear to know a lot about bits. Much appreciated!!

I will place my order and when I have used it I will let you know how it has gone.

 

[dozzie]

The nathe is lovely! My chap learnt to take a contact in a nathe but I did eventually have to put him back in a straight bar ss bit as he got strong!!!!!! (BTW He chewed every bit!!The slobber was pretty horrendous at times!)

Agree with cotswold.

I still have my nathe and cant bring myself to sell it!!! Such a nice bit and you never know when it might be needed again!!!!

 

[KatB]

They are fab bits, but can encourage a dry mouth.... if you were closer you could you borrow mine...