Bit for Nathe-Eating OTTB

[SugarRush]

Hi all,

My nearly 6yr old OTTB chewed 2 very large holes into his 7 month old Nathe a couple weeks ago. I go to Dover and grab an HS duo, thinking I’d have some time before he wrecks this one…first ride and he has sheared off the plastic on some parts and poked a couple small holes into it already. No more plastic or rubber for him.

What metal bits would you all recommend for a bit-eater? I’m thinking of buying a plain metal Mullen for my library along with something pricier (NS or HS/KK). Very open to all suggestions. Must be USDF/USEA legal.

[skinny_jumps]

I was having a similar problem and then I switched to Vulcanized Rubber. There’s barely a scratch on it yet plus they make them in almost all styles of bits!

[Highflyer]

I’ve had good luck with Sealtex: https://www.bigdweb.com/product/code/129.do?gclid=CjwKEAiAqJjDBRCG5KK6hq_juDwSJABRm03h88zHOXSpJ_XG_tpB6rvIlKrQsdggNxo-vdLzBA3oBRoC5t3w_wcB

They still chew on it, but at least it’s cheap to replace!

[Foxtrot_s]

I was going to suggest Sealtex too, as it is replaceable,but will still get chewed. Also, have you had a bit set done on his molars? Or lower the bit a hole if it is set a bit high?

I love the Nathe - haven’t used another kind (except a D Trust) for years on several different horses. More and more people are turning towards plastic or softer bits with success.

[Janet]

Check with USEF, but it is my understanding that Sealtex is NOT legal for “straight dressage”.

[Foxtrot_s]

Oops, didn’t read the last sentence of the OP’s post.

[SugarRush]

Sealtex wouldn’t be legal for showing, however I might consider wrapping it over a thinner metal bit to school (the Nathe and Duo diameters both look big to begin with).

I keep his bit low, no wrinkles in the corners of his mouth, and not hitting his canines (it shouldn’t be bothering him, more of a very bad habit). I’ve experimented with different heights in his mouth and he likes this the best. He sucks the bit back with his tongue and then bites it. I’m definitely going to ask the dentist about a bit seat in the spring to see if it helps him.

I’m repairing the Duo to keep for “calmer” (summer) days, but for the chompy (winter) days he definitely needs something metal/impossible to damage.

[NoSuchPerson]

If you want to stick with non-metal, you might look at a Bomber Blue. I believe that they are dressage legal. My bit-hating bit-eater seems to like his.

[FatCatFarm]

I gave up on Nathes and Duos due to the softness and needing to be replaced often. I replaced it with Flexi-flavored (peppermint) mullen mouth by Korsteel. Cheap, but of good quality, and my horses love it. Unfortunately, I now understand it’s been discontinued by Korsteel. I have one extra on hand to replace the current one.

I don’t care for the Happy Mouths as they are too hard plasticky and not rubbery or particularly flexible. My worst offender actually broke off a piece of one Happy Mouth leaving a jagged edge which then cut his mouth. So I now avoid them.

My daughter’s POA needs a new bit but has a smaller mouth. I found this similar 5" via HorseLoverZ: https://www.horseloverz.com/english-horse-tack/english-bits/eggbutt-snaffle-bit/coronet-flexi-flat-ring-mullen-mouth-eggbutt-bit

Unfortunately it doesn’t come in a 5.5" which is what I need for my bigger boys. I hated spending $80 or so on a bit only to have my horses almost immediately chew it up.

[LadyB]

If you raise the bit at all, does your horse chew less? Maybe it’s sitting too low and not comfortable?

[Saskatoonian]

My bit chomper / plastic bit killer turned out to prefer a thin metal curved single-jointed D. Some horses don’t like all that stuff in their mouths - haven’t read the lit saying it’s supposed to be nicer. Good luck!

[RunForIt]

An ULR/trainer extraordinaire once told us that he thinks the reason OTTBs like the Nathe so much is it’s light in their mouths and advised trying a hollow mouth…problem though with my own TB (who loves and eats his Nathe!) is that he needs a smallish in diameter bit and all the hollow mouths I can locate are quite fat!

[SugarRush]

Too true, RunForIt, I wish there was a super light metal out there that could be shaped into a thin mouthpiece

Update, by weird coincidence a fellow boarder had a spare KK loose ring for me to try. Delicate Flower likes the metal type (hadn’t tried anything “sweet” with him before) so I will be going that route. I did raise this one up about 3/4" in his mouth since it’s double jointed (so it doesn’t clank around) and he is happy with that.

I will be going back to an Eggbutt cheek with him though (my wallet is already crying), I don’t think a loose ring cheek has helped him stay steady in the contact.

Actually I’m excited to try the HS Dynamic RS, even though he’s loved the Nathe I have not been a fan of the occasional “waterskiing” I get to do when he has an idea. Hopefully I’ll be able to use this one on XC with him this coming season as well.

I’m saving this thread for his next bit problem though, I am intrigued by those Bomber bits and everyone else’s suggestions

[poltroon]

One of the things I like about the Duo is that it is mullen AND flexible, and I see that my horse conforms it to a shape that isn’t a normal metal mullen. She doesn’t like jointed bits. But she also eats the duos. So, metal mullen is often what we are stuck with, but both of us really prefer the duo.

There is this option for you, SugarRush - a leather bit. Probably still gets chewed, but maybe a bit cheaper to replace? https://squareup.com/market/winterpast-farm

I’ve been thinking of trying one, but haven’t.

[spotlight]

[QUOTE=SugarRush;9000762]
Too true, RunForIt, I wish there was a super light metal out there that could be shaped into a thin mouthpiece :([/QUOTE]

There is!! Look into Lorenzini (titanium) bits. Nice and thin, weigh less than my nathe.
Caveat: not cheap, but most places who sell them do trials.

[Heinz_57]

It seems counter intuitive, but my horse (long OT TB) who liked the Nathes and Duos a lot actually goes well in a single jointed Fulmer. It is quite heavy but not super thick and the weight plus the fixed cheek seems to keep it still enough for his liking.

[Foxtrot_s]

Read this thread by skimming - but some horses do well in a bit they cannot play with as much as a loose ring - like Heinz said - Fulmer, Boucher, full cheek, mullen mouth…

Still, get bit set done on his front molars when he gets his teeth done, he may not get too much satisfaction after that.

I’ve had such good luck with plastic bits (Nathe or Trust) seems a shame to give up on those.

[barnmaven]

The Sealtex really worked for my OTTB. I believe he enjoys chewing. He’s much stronger in a metal bit and is like butter in a Happy Mouth.

[FatCatFarm]

A friend of mine is a veterinarian and is at a equine dental symposium at a clinic in FL and the takeaway is that bit seats are horrible and cause pain and teeth death. Horses are more sensitive to the bit after a bit seat because of PAIN. Don’t do it.

[Foxtrot_s]

I don’t remember a time when my horses did not have a bit set. Must depend on the practitioner.