Nathe bits...?

starryeyed

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Sorry, another bitting thread! I'm trying to get a bit more clued up on brands I haven't heard much of before as I'm having this ongoing bitting issue with my horse and still havent got hold of a bit bank (they're at hoys this week hence doing some research myself for now)!

Someone suggested Nathe bits a while ago, but I was put off by the price at the time - but now I'm getting desperate I may consider one!
Are they really as good as people say / worth the money? I don't know anyone who uses one so haven't seen them before, are they just a more improved/safer version of a happy mouth? Do you find that horses who dislike any contact / are ridiculously sensitive seem happier with these?
And what's the thickness like, are they slimmer than happy mouths or around the same size? - as happy mouths are too thick for my horses mouth.

Thank you! x
 
I think they are much nicer than happy mouths - I've used one on a horse that was very shy of the contact and he took it forward happily almost instantly. They are softer than happy mouths and they are slightly flexible. They are also thinner - slightly thinner in the middle than at the sides.
 
Do they really encourage chewing? I thought to try one one my fussy new horse but I wanted her to be happier in her mouth therefore stop her chewing excessively :confused:
 
You want salivation as opposed to chewing.

From what I've heard and read, most roses seem to like the material. It's warmer than metal.

My horse can't be doing with metal. Rubs her mouth and gets very upset. At the moment she's in a vulcanite straight bar (not keen on joints of any description either), but if we ever get schooling again to any level I'll have a Nathe instead.
 
You want salivation as opposed to chewing.

From what I've heard and read, most roses seem to like the material. It's warmer than metal.

My horse can't be doing with metal. Rubs her mouth and gets very upset. At the moment she's in a vulcanite straight bar (not keen on joints of any description either), but if we ever get schooling again to any level I'll have a Nathe instead.

Yes but all the blurb on them says "encourages chewing" :confused:

I think I will persevere with current bit and if that doesn't improve I will try a nathe straigh bar.
 
Sorry, I wasn't clear, me bad.

Want a youngster to chew, to accept the bit; want a more established horse to remain steady in the mouth, but for their to be salivation to keep all moist and soft.

Hope that makes sense. Brain not yet in gear :eek::cool:

I'm not a bitting expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do find it an interesting area. Would like to get into it all one day!
 
Oh dear it's looking like an expensive month with these good recommendations!
I'm not sure whether to try the straight bar or the french link version, is there a huge difference between them or is it more her personal preference? She's a fussy madam but not sure which one she'd rather have!
 
Worth trying both styles in a cheaper make first, to see if you can tell a preference.

If I remember right, you can't 'hire' the Bathe bits from the banks because they mark easily. Definitely worth checking with them though!
 
Nope, you can't hire them unfortunately!
I tried her in a HM straight bar & jointed and there was no difference, we still had nose-in-air syndrome, but saying that neither fitted her particularly well. She's in a NS trans lozenge at the moment so maybe it's best to stick with that style and see how she goes in a nathe version? (and hope she likes it!!)
 
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