NS bits - what is SO special?

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domane

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I just wondered why NS bits are so expensive? I use one of these on my youngster...

KGrHqQOKpEE3uRTcLLBOGWzqBuow_35.jpg


... and it cost me £18 from the local tack shop and it does the job admirably - no sharp edges, nice and chunky, lozenge joint, etc. A NS "training" bit without the full cheeks would set me back around £50. Don't get me wrong, I'm not averse to paying out for quality but I would really like to justify why I should be spending an additional £32.00.

Can anyone enlighten me please?
 
i couldnt tell you why or how but on borrowing one from a friend my horse went so much better in the neuh schule than my non branded equivelent, so i bought him one, and have since used it on many horses who have all seemed to go better in it. I swear by them

I think its something to do with the gold metal being warmer and softer and the losenge but I couldnt pin point what
 
Well if your horse goes well in that bit, why change it? :) If some horses go well in an NS, then they shouldn't change it either! I don't think there's any reason to go changing things if it's not broken :)
 
Different metal, as L says :D, also the cut/design is slightly different.

As B says though, if your horse is happy in what you're using, then no need to change it (though so saying all that, I'd now want to try the NS version for my horse, see if there was any difference lol:cool::rolleyes:).

My horse hates metal bits, so a Vulcanite rubber, no joints, is the one for her :D
 
No idea... but having heard the raving reviews about them on here I did bite the bullet and get Rods one of the starter bits (second hand, mind... used twice which knocked £20 off the price!). BIG difference from the standard / happy mouth snaffles I'd tried him in before. Happier to have it in, mouthing, stretching down into the bit, none of which he'd done before. Don't know what it is, but can't argue with a happy horse!
 
I suspect the metal has something to do with it but mostly they're just better designed. I have two NS bits and countless 'normal' bits. The NS bits are a far better quality but also shape. When in the right, slightly curved, shape, they are smoother and more...... well, ergonomic would prob be the best word. I support it's like those ergonomic brushes you can buy: they do the same job as a normal brush, cost twice as much, but are far nicer to hold and use.
 
The metal and they're designed better.

I can feel a huge difference between riding in my NS or the same type of bit in stainless steel. My horses go well in them, its not like I have to buy bits every few months so as a one off investment I don't see it as bad, its a very important piece of tack.

They also tend to hold their value quite well if you look after them.
 
domane said:
I just wondered why NS bits are so expensive? I use one of these on my youngster...

KGrHqQOKpEE3uRTcLLBOGWzqBuow_35.jpg


... and it cost me £18 from the local tack shop and it does the job admirably - no sharp edges, nice and chunky, lozenge joint, etc. A NS "training" bit without the full cheeks would set me back around £50. Don't get me wrong, I'm not averse to paying out for quality but I would really like to justify why I should be spending an additional £32.00.

Can anyone enlighten me please?
Click to expand...

Is the one you bought curved in the same place as the NS one, ie. just before the joint? Or does it have a slight curve all along? Or is it straight? All this makes a big difference. As does the taste of the metal it is made of.
 
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We have a horse that was going quite well in one bit but we decided to change to a NS bit. Although they seem identical initially but on closer examination they are different. Our horse went markedly better in the NS bit.

I was very sceptical a few years ago before trying NS, I just thought that they were needlessly expensive & 'normal' cheaper tack shop bits were the same & would do the same job. I take it all back, there is a world of difference when using the NS equivalent bit. As for those that think, 'don't fix what aint broken', you don't realise it's 'slightly damaged' until you actually try the NS version of the bit you believe you horse goes well in. :)
 
Something else to mention is that Heather who designs the bits has a wealth of bitting knowledge which is all at your disposal when you buy NS. Our stand was opposite hers at a recent trade fair and I asked advice for bitting my young Highland. She really knows horses mouths and was able to suggest exactly the right shape mouth piece to suit a Highland mouth. You could easily spend a lot on trying different kinds of bits, whereas if you get the right one in the first place the horse is happier and it will be no more expensive in the long run.
 
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