Opinion on bit please? Have to shop!

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Vetwrap

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Could you let me know what you think?

My youngster has been away for re-backing and is hopefully coming home next week. At school, he is being ridden in a standard full cheek french link. I don't have one of these, so have to buy him a new bit anyway, but I do have a bit of a tendancy to overdo things a bit - and have found myself looking longingly at the Sprenger KK's.

The bits I am considering are:

Full cheek curved french link - Korsteel
http://www.robinsonsequestrian.co.uk/equine-product-details.asp?ID=4537

Sprenger KK Full Cheek
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=189&xSec=17


My other two boys are both in Korsteel curved french links and are very happy in their mouths. The professional that has my youngster says that he is not at all fussy in his mouth, so I don't know whether the KK would be spending extra money that could be better spent elsewhere...

My questionis this:

Are the Sprengers worth the money in comparison to a more standard french link?

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm open to them.

Thanks in advance!
 
I have a fascination with bits and and have quite a collection, I too don't mind spending money on a nice bit when necessary. That said we have recently purchased a 4yo who is going very sweetly in a full cheek french link, daughter said what bit will we buy him and I said why, he is going very nicely in that.

So my answer would be unless money is unlimited save your pennies towards something else, or at least wait until you have worked with your youngster to see where you would like to go bitting wise. Have fun :D
 
Would the sprenger be to strong? Like not extremely strong. Would it be better to get the full cheek french link and see how the horse goes and then you will have a better idea/feel yourself on whether you need stronger of lighter?
 
My problem is that I don't really understand the subtle differences in the way the different bits will act. Is a bit with a lozenge going to be stronger than a bit with a flat "true" french link plate? (Please excuse my lack of correct phraseology on this - I'm struggling to explain what I mean).

Bottom line is that I haven't ridden him yet, but I am so desperate not to do the wrong thing that there is every chance that I will do exactly that!

Thai chicken soup for anyway that's not lost the will to live by now!
 
The thing is with the sprengers is they put pressure on the tongue, which some horses can object to. I really like the curved mouthpieces, as they take some pressure off the tongue and give a better wieght bearing surface across the horses mouth. If your horse likes the french link full cheek, and goes well in it, stick with that, but if you feel you need to try something else, try hiring one of the more expensive ones?
 
KatB said:
The thing is with the sprengers is they put pressure on the tongue, which some horses can object to. I really like the curved mouthpieces, as they take some pressure off the tongue and give a better wieght bearing surface across the horses mouth. If your horse likes the french link full cheek, and goes well in it, stick with that, but if you feel you need to try something else, try hiring one of the more expensive ones?
Click to expand...

but a normal french link puts pressure on the tongue too, surely? i don't think it's fair to accuse just Sprengers of that! the arms are short enough that the whole thing curves around the tongue in the mouth anyway. i've tried curved mouthpiece ones and found the horses didn't like them (could have been because of the metal being different though.)
 
:eek::eek:£154.99 for a bit - crikey! I have bought Sprengers & Neushchue(sp) before but I think I have paid £60 or £70 and that was a lot! :eek::eek:
 
But the hippus bits are curved and by your own admission horses love these?! :) Yes normal french links DO put pressure on the tongue too, but the sprengers are specifically designed to use the tongues sensitivity (this taken from their advertising!) I like sprenger bits, but do go with a "if it ain't broke" mentality....

The one thing I will say about lozenged bits is they can give a more secure contact than a french link as they are less "floppy"... but will give a different feel to what the horse is used to...
 
KatB said:
But the hippus bits are curved and by your own admission horses love these?! :) Yes normal french links DO put pressure on the tongue too, but the sprengers are specifically designed to use the tongues sensitivity (this taken from their advertising!) I like sprenger bits, but do go with a "if it ain't broke" mentality....

The one thing I will say about lozenged bits is they can give a more secure contact than a french link as they are less "floppy"... but will give a different feel to what the horse is used to...
Click to expand...

Ah, but I thought we were just talking about double-jointed bits on this thread, i think the single-jointed curved Hippus are a totally different kettle of fish.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Hadn't heard of Hippus bits, so that was an education in itself!

I think for the minute, I will go with the curved french link and see how we go. At this point in time, I don't even know if his saddle will still fit him, so will hang on to the pennies where possible.

I really appreciate the replies though. Thankyou muchly!
 
I thought that french links were stronger than a simply lozenge? I too am fasinated by bits but new boy has slightly stumped me as he is the first horse I have ever owned who needs a 6" bit. As a start I stuck him in a loose ring NS snaffle with lozenge and he seems perfectly happy in that but will see.

You could call the bit bank for advice and you can trial most of their bits too (not the rubber/happy mouth) or check at your local tack shop- mine does offer trials and advice on bitting so no need to fork out all the money without being sure.
 
used to have a sprenger and swapped to a myler later i think they are just as comfy although i have a fixed revolve so less strong but nice shape in the horses mouth and better value would truly recommend as a nice alternative...
 
personally I would buy a bit as close in design to the one he is currently wearing as you can find.

some horses don't like KKs, sprengers, curved arms etc and if he is happy in a standard french link mouthpiece why risk buying something he may not get on with?
 
millitiger said:
personally I would buy a bit as close in design to the one he is currently wearing as you can find.

some horses don't like KKs, sprengers, curved arms etc and if he is happy in a standard french link mouthpiece why risk buying something he may not get on with?
Click to expand...

I agree with this - why spend potentially £100's on a bit if he is wokring happily in one for £20! I have only ever kept them in full cheek bits for a few months anyway until the steering is established so the chances are this bit is only a short term solution. If I am right in remembering who is breaking your boy in, I can't imagine it will be anything that fancy tbh - more like functional/practical/does a job rather than overly expensive (which is probably why I got on with her so well!)
 
unless you have specific issues then why change what you have at the mo!! EG: is he/she leaning? is he/she falling out/in, objecting to or tilting not taking contact steering issues??????????????????????,,, is it just that you need to establish work and then spend £££££ on a specific bit when if becomes clearer the way the horse is goin etc praps???????
 
Nope - you're right. Will go for bog standard at the moment then look to change if we have to because he's not happy...

Jane-Lou, yes you are right about where he is. Hopefully coming home next week, all being well.

Thanks all! You are great at saving me from spending!!!
 
I personally find a french link sharper than a lozenge bit. Cottage craft do a very nice full cheek with a lozenge that isn't expensive - I got one last year from bitworld. Equally the neue schule bits are excellent and, while not cheap, are a lot cheaper than the Sprenger. I find the mylers very thin and horses tend to sit a little behind them and feel a bit wooden to me.
 
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