I have had tremendous success with the round Sweet Billy’s leather bits for my sensitive horses with very little real estate in the mouth. I am trying to find something dressage legal that would be similar. My smallest horses take 5.5”-5.75” bits so the thin version of the trust innosense is out. I’ve been also looking at the Bomber’s blue moulded Mullen and the winderen slim flexi. My horses tend to prefer loose rings, which only the winderen has. I’ve shopped around quite a bit but haven’t come across anything in that <15mm thickness.
Winderen has slim bits now that are 14mm. I can say these bits hold up much better than the rubber Bombers which I only got about 6 months out of. I suspect you would want the extra flexible Mullen. I’ve been using the double jointed and just got the regular flexi for our jumping bridle, and it is stiffer than I was expecting. I’m guessing the extra flexible is the same material as the double jointed, but without the metal core
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I wish the slim came in the extra flexible. How much bend does your double jointed winderen have?
What about an HS Duo or a Nathe? They’re soft, pliable plastic.
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I went to a Turtle Top Tactio.
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It is fairly bend. I would think the slim version would be more bendy. @Kyrabee recently bought a slim, maybe she will have some insight.
Second this recommendation.
Worked for two of mine who are very sensitive mouthed.
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Winderen has a video of someone bending all their mouthpieces which is super helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibgrPdWn8F0
I’ve been wondering if my gelding would like a rubber bit but haven’t found any that were thin and flexible enough for his tiny mouth. The Duo I checked out in-store was way too stiff for him, but the Winderen double-jointed or extra-flexible options look interesting. I may check them out if he ever decides he doesn’t like his Fager anymore. Does anyone know if there’s a way to get them on trial?
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Our horse that jumps great in a leather snaffle, goes best on the flat in the Bombers ported barrel loose ring. Its the first bit that we have actually liked more for him than the leather.
I find also find this to be a good bit for sensitive horses, but I’m not sure the mouthpiece is as thin as the OP wants.
The Fager titanium bits are 14mm wide. My sensitive mare who previously went in a Duo much prefers her Fager. I think I have the Emil.
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The Winderen I got is the ported Mullen mouth. It has very little flexibility but my horse likes it. The slim is still big but she that doesn’t bother her. She is ‘petite’ and takes a 5 inch (125mm).
My horse has been a nightmare with bits. She is 23 and now I finally find something she likes (or at least dislikes way less).
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Perusing Labor Day sales, and Fager website has a “coming soon” flash page about rubber bits….
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Ooh, that is exciting!
With my mare, I spent $$$ trying all the friendly titanium, turtle tops, etc., and it was always a matter of which one she hated the least. Going through non-metal was a game changer, though I’m not looking forward to figuring that out if she’s ever ready for a double bridle.
I was just coming by to say I rode in the flexi Mullen for the first time and it seemed about the same as the Sweet Billy’s plaited rope bit I’ve had on her jumping bridle for the last year or so. So far, so good!
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When that time comes, I absolutely love the plastic flexible curb with short shanks from Trust I have on my horse. It’s super mild and bendy. He likes it, and he’s very particular about bits.
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