Sprenger KK Bit questions

[jthomas]

Help I Am getting very confused looking at bits. Been recommended I try a Sprenger KK loose ring snaffle. Ride my welsh in pelham for jumping which works well, and currently hanging cheek french link for flat work, but although he will go nicely at home, when I go out to shows I need a bit more as he gets really strong and half halts go out of the window.

Anyway 2 questions really - Because of the AURIGAN metal (I think this is 60% one metal and rest another) is it still dressage legal as thought had to be one metal.

How do they differ to a normal loose ring snaffle is it just what it's made of?

The sprenger are so expensive I don't want to make a wrong decision!

Thanks

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Yes the sprenger KK is dressage legal. Look on their website - they differ because of the angle of the lozenge and how it sits in the horses mouth.

My horses have them and I think they are fab and well worth the money.

 

[abracadabra]

[ QUOTE ]


Anyway 2 questions really - Because of the AURIGAN metal (I think this is 60% one metal and rest another) is it still dressage legal as thought had to be one metal.



[/ QUOTE ]

then it is, its an alloy

they mean nothing thats one metal then has inserts or sections of another metal, for exxample (not dressage legal obv.) a S.S cherry roller bit with copper rollers...

 

[milliepops]

Yep, agree with that - I use one for flatwork with my horse and it's the best thing for her.

(BD do allow a mix of metals in the mouthpiece now, but I *think* the old rule was more for bits that had separate parts made of different metals, like a copper link in a steel bit or similar).

There are several different kinds of KK though - the Ultra has the lozenge at an angle, whereas I use one that doesn't. They also come in different thicknesses - my mare likes an 18mm mouthpiece, but that would be too thick for other horses. Who recommended them to you? Would they have one you could borrow first, so you could see how it goes before you commit to buying?

ETA - what makes it different to other snaffles? For my horse, I think it is the smooth shape of the lozenge, and the thicker mouthpiece, as much as the metal it is made of. In a normal french link she ducks behind the contact - it's just too sharp for her. In the KK she is much more accepting and goes into the contact softly.

 

[sykokat]

Have you considered Neue schule bits. They are really good and are comparible to KK but an awful lot less expensive.They have Salox gold in them and we are currently using one (waterford universal) on our strong but fussy mare. She accepts this bit better than anything we have tried in the past and we have brakes and a lovely outline. They have an excellent range from pelhams to loose rings. The website is very informative and will tell you what is and is not dressage legal.

 

[jthomas]

Thanks all. There just seems so much choice! I was looking on ebay and there was a 14 or 16 width, and the smaller one said it was good if they are strong. I also looked at Bitbank so I could try first but they are really expensive on there.

Final question, I think, if you go for a loose ring don't you have to get 1/2 inch bigger?? So if he's a 5 1/2 I'd need a 6???

I will look at the NS bits too and see if I can borrow one in the meantime from someone.

Thanks again

 

[milliepops]

Re sizing - no, I just buy the normal size (unless your horse's normal bit is really snug). Sprengers are sold in centimetres rather than inches anyway, so the measurements are usually slightly different in any case! My horse wears a 13.5cm, which is not quite 5.5". I think the next size up is 14.5cm, which is nearly 5.75"!

 

[jthomas]

Thanks, why does it have to be so confusing ;-) think he'll need the bigger size, oh will keep looking and hope the perfect bit just lands on my doorstep!

 

[jthomas]

Sizing again - sorry - if he's 5 1/2 in an eggbutt don't they come up smaller than loose ring??

 

[jthomas]

Finally, they seem to come in 14mm, 16 mm and 18mm thicknesses, what is best. Read somewhere that the 14 mm is good for brakes but then again think I read somewhere that others were too??!!

Thanks again

 

[sykokat]

if you are wanting a loose ring you would normally need a little extra so that it dos not pinch lips. Neue Schule also come in mm. The best thing you can do is talk to the guys at the neue schule/kk places and they will advise you. The thinner mouth pieces are marginally better for brakes and also for some breeds that do not have alot of room in their mouths. It all depends on the breed and shape of your horses mouth.

 

[jthomas]

THanks v much, more research, it's not simple is it ;-)

 

[horseywelsh]

never used a KK, but find the neue schules fab, def worth reaserach into