For those of you with Winterpast bits, are they rolled leather or stitched flat pieces rounded off? I’m curious how smooth the edge is if they’re beveled rather than rolled.
I could try to take a pic for you tomorrow – it is stitched and beveled, and very, very smooth. In fact, I wish that the leather where it attaches to the D rings had also been beveled, as I am using it with a Micklem and the straps on the Micklem are almost on top of the leather where it attaches to the Ds.
I’ll get a pic tomorrow and you can see how it has molded to her mouth shape in just one use. 
Thank you, Bensmom, it’s so difficult to find much information on using leather bits these days so I would be very interested to see photos!
Actually, it would be interesting to hear from everybody on here who has tried a leather bit why you decided to try one and what sort of shape the leather took with use.
[QUOTE=Night Flight;8026642]
Actually, it would be interesting to hear from everybody on here who has tried a leather bit why you decided to try one and what sort of shape the leather took with use.[/QUOTE]
My mare has bitting issues (I think at least partially stemming from historical issues- look at her poor tongue!) I had her in a rubber snaffle, was away at school for 9 months and (for reasons unknown to me) my trainer switched her to a plain D-ring. A visiting clinician remarked that she was “acting like it’s barbed wire.” She’s just generally fussy about the bit, unwilling to take contact, etc. Part of the issue was training and not understanding what to do with contact- that is still being addressed. The bit definitely helped though- I wanted something super mild and soft to encourage her to seek contact. Right now, I’ve been rotating through 3 bits: the leather loose ring, a Nathe loose ring, and a french link baucher wrapped in sealtex. I think she goes about the same in the Nathe and the leather. I’m undecided about the baucher yet. The leather bit has molded into a curve- I’ll see if I can get a picture this weekend.
I have two fussy mares in them- they’ve been using them for as long as this thread has been in existence. They just take on a curved shape, but my drafty mare has “squished” hers a bit with her tongue and pressed it down a bit with her bars.
Both mares are extremely responsive, but fussy so I just went to the least amount of bit I could find. Both hated Nathes. On the other hand, my avoids-contact TB gelding hates the leather and loves the Nathe.
I tried to get a photo and boy, it isn’t very good! It is very hard to see – but I took a lesson with her in it on Sunday, and my trainer liked it enough that we are staying with it over the Nathe. The only thing it feels as if I’ve lost a bit is the ability to lift each shoulder individually, which we had with the Neue Schule (If I spelled that correctly) On the other hand, the horrid gnashing of teeth has more or less, just stopped.
It has molded in a curved shape and has compressed a bit where she has taken hold of it, but there is surprisingly, no chew marks.
Thank you all!
How do you guys feel control-wise with them if you have a hotter horse?
Night Flight – It has a surprising amount of whoa – I have to be sort of careful not to halt her completely, when I am asking for a half halt. With the Nathe, I can feel her lug on one side of the bit and had a problem communicating “no, I meant STOP, dammit.” to her, but not so with this bit. I’m not sure I understand why, though.
The only thing I miss is the ease of lifting one shoulder or the other. And that might be there with the loose ring instead of the D ring.
My trainer’s final comment was – “well, it is working great now. We will watch her and see if, when she gets used to it, she starts to ignore it.” And I think that’s the best we can do! We are showing this weekend at a facility she’s never been to, with temps cold and blustery. So, that’s a “we’ll see” situation if ever there was one! :lol:
I’ll report back, if I survive. 
I’ve had a lot of people give me the “you’re crazy” look when I’ve mentioned wanting to try a leather bit with my horse, so I’m glad to hear your experience. I’ve been thinking that because it is a bit flexible it probably prevents them from being able to lean on it, like a mild version of a Waterford.
Good luck at your show!
So, Bensmom, did you survive your weekend?
Yes, but we didn’t get to show 
The weather canceled the dressage show, so instead we had a marathon saddle fitting session in the cold, rainy mist. Yuck. But, at the end of that three hours, even my trainer remarked how much she liked how my mare was going in the leather bit. 
So, we shall see!
Finally got a picture, in case anyone is interested (sorry it’s not a great one): here
This is after about a year of use.
Thanks, cheerio! I expected a bit more of a non-mullen shape to it given a few comments I’ve read about the interesting shapes they take.
I just bought one of these and will be trying it this weekend. My mare is extremely sensitive in the mouth due to prior abuse and has never been comfortable in any bit. I wanted to try an alternative material bit so it would feel really different from the metal she is used to disliking, but so many are just way too fat for her low palate. I really like that the leather bit comes in different thicknesses - I got the thinnest at 13-14mm and it is only a little thicker than the best bit I have found so far (Myler comfort snaffle). Will report back after we try it this weekend.
PS. Customer service was great - they had what I wanted in stock so ordered and received it in less than 5 days! Came with instructions, a baggy of my horse’s favorite treats, a letter to my horse, and info on its show legality (although not for FEI level eventing dressage) and support from a vet. Construction is very nice, surfaces are all very smooth (I got the loose ring version) and it feels flexible but not too soft.
I bought one from Winterpast after Bensmom posted her initial review as well. FABULOUS customer service! I was emailed the day after my order to ask what size ring I wanted (loose ring) and also more about my horse. Had several emails back and forth and really felt like the communication was genuine.
Bit arrived quickly and is really nice quality wise. The rings are just a tad smaller (2.5") and lighter than my current bit (WH Ultra), but I switched them out on my Micklem and had two good rides on my boy before the ice set in. We’re looking at warmer temps this week so hoping to get more rides in to evaluate. I have a dressage lesson coming up and will see if my instructor notices a difference. I also have the vet scheduled for annual Coggins and dental and chiro later this month. I plan to discuss the leather bit and any differences I see with both.
Just a funny side note - the first time I put the bit in my horse’s mouth, I swear he looked at me like “Is this really okay?!” before starting to chew on it gently. He is very mouthy and has often gotten in trouble for trying to put the reins in his mouth, so I could sense his confusion that I was purposefully putting leather in his mouth. :lol:
I’m so glad you guys had a great experience too!! I like mine so much that I’m thinking of getting the loose ring too, just to have it in my arsenal
Had out first ride in our new leather bit today and while there weren’t quite angels singing, it was the first ride we have ever had (with a bit) that did not start with an extensive amount of mouth gaping head flinging! It is a little thicker than her Myler but she still seemed to be able to comfortably closer her mouth around it (unlike the happy mouth bit we tried). My horse is on the hotter side, but would never blow through a bit so I can’t really comment on the “whoa” power! It is nice and flexible, but I think they can lean on it (although at the moment, that would be a good thing for my horse!!).
Here’s an alternate source: Stark Naked Bits. These are brand new on the market, and only $30. I haven’t tried one, and I’d like to hear reviews.
These are actually biothane, not leather. The maker swears they are soft, not pinchy, won’t stretch, won’t bleed, won’t grow bacteria, etc.
You can buckle the strap around the lip (like a curb strap), and you can use it without a bridle, making it an interesting choice for a horse with a sensitive poll or sensitive ears.
They look interesting, but I wonder how tough they are (i.e. how easy they are for a horse to chew through)? I also think they look somewhat uncomfortable as they are flat with an edge against the corner of the lips, rather than rolled like the leather bit. Wouldn’t work for dressage with the lip strap but I am guessing they might be able to make one without it. I would definitely like to hear any feedback from someone who buys one.
