Does anyone have experience with a Nathe bit? If so, which bit did you try, did you/your horse like it or not like it and why?
YES, I do!
It’s the loose ring, and my horse seems to love it- she accepts this bit much better than any other I’ve tried on her before, including >$$$ Sprengers, and I’ve been using it for 3-4 years now. I think she likes the softness of the plastic, and the space for her tongue, and I’m sure the mullen (in)action is the best part.
Luckily she’s kind to her bit, so I’ve only had to replace it once last year, but I do know a couple of horses that chew through theirs and have to have it replaced every couple of years. The Sprenger Duo is a slightly cheaper alternative.
Were you able to rent a Nathe or did you take a chance on the bit and hope it worked?
I was able to first borrow it barely used, and then bought it from her once I knew it was a GO.
However, I would have otherwise taken a chance and bought it, given that it appears to be one of the most useful bits to have in a bit-box. Much more useful than the $250 Sprenger I bought that sits unloved in my box just waiting for the right horse (which I won’t have for a very long time, and then I’d likely try the Nathe first)
Is there a place it can be rented? I would have thought not, given the plastic is so soft and easy to mark that the first use would prevent it from being returned in as-new condition…
Most places I have found don’t rent out this bit, for obvious reason ha.
There is company that will come out and let you ride in as many of their bits as you would like for a fee. I’m trying to decide if I want to take a chance on one of the Nathe bits, but determining which one is the difficult part. Mainly because he can like a bit for a week and then decide he doesn’t like it anymore. But, if he hates it, I know right from the start.
Well, they seem to be very popular, so I’m sure you could resell it on ebay/FB if necessary. Or even here on the classifieds. When you say which one- do you mean the thickness, or mullen vs jointed, loosering vs d-ring? I only have used the mullen loose ring and the 20mm mouth thickness, but I ahve also used the D-ring Duo for jumping to the same good effect.
Used them for years and never had to replace one. If your horse has hooks on his teeth, he may scar it. My plan is to try to make my horse lighter and lighter every ride, so there is no need for anything stronger with her…and she’s a big, forward, positive mare.
There is also a Trust brand which are super - Mine is the D ring which we use x-country and s/J to make
steering clearer.
I am such a believer in less is more. My horse’s dressage trainer uses my lozange snaffle and I think with that he can get a bit more finesse. But for normal riding, plastic is all I’ve ever used for years.
I notice in the show ring more and ore people are finding that is all they need, over fences or in the ring.
[QUOTE=fanfayre;n10016425When you say which one- do you mean the thickness, or mullen vs jointed, loosering vs d-ring?[/QUOTE]
Correct. For the price to have someone come out for me to try 4 bits, I could purchase 2 of them. So I may do that. But, I can’t decide which bit I want to try first.
For those that a nathe bit, which do you think is more stable? The oval ring or the loose ring straight bar?
I tried the loose ring Nathe for my horse when she was new to me and we were working on getting her more consistent in the contact. It was a firm no after a single ride.
The 20mm mouthpiece was clearly too thick for my horse. I don’t recall that they had thinner options back then (I would surely have selected one if available), but maybe they do now. I wouldn’t recommend the 20mm version for a low palate horse unless the horse had quite a history of preferring fat mouthpieces.
I can’t speak to relative stability, having only tried the one. I don’t think the oval ring existed back then.
The 20mm is pretty thin at the middle. I’d not want to use it on a horse with very fleshy lips, but it leaves plenty of tongue/palate room.
This is what I have been using on my gelding since 2016:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/nathe-loose-ring-snaffle--65mm-rings-7153
I chose loose ring for him because I wasn’t sure a D ring would get the little nuances in adjustment a snaffle would, but thought the softer mouthpiece and lack of pieces rattling in his mouth would help. He was flat out afraid of contact at one point, and braced behind the bit to try to protect himself. With the nathe, he is far more comfortable reaching out to contact. He has a low palate and thick tongue, so nearly everything was too thick, and a solid straight bit was the wrong shape. The softness and bend in this fits around his tongue more easily, and the middle is pretty narrow. He doesn’t chew on bits, so I have seen zero wear or making of the bit so far. As far as bits go he loves it, and is just so much easier in it.
I recommend against using one of these on anything but a very sensitive horse. I would not even try it on my mare who can brace against the hands, because it seems like it would encourage that with its softness. It doesn’t allow the same nuance in aids asking for flexion, etc., but since I’m using it for a horse who is already oversensitive that’s actually ok. He is happier that way, with it filtering out my aids which are simply not perfection enough for his highness.
We used it on one of our horses that was so terrible about accepting even a bridle when we got him that we needed a vet to get involved. We could not get a bit in his mouth until the Nathe. He would seek it. It made a huge difference. They do wear in our experience but highly recommend them for certain horses. We used a straight one.
Come to think of it my horse has fairly fleshy lips in addition to somewhat low palate. I suppose that may have been a contributing factor in my horse’s resounding rejection of it.
I actually purchased it because I thought the taper would make it sufficiently thin across the relevant portion of the mouthpiece. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to taper quickly enough in a smallish size to fit comfortably in a lower volume mouth.
@x-halt-salute, you may want to try the Duo then, if you are ever so inclined again. They come in a thinner (16mm I think) but still tapering and with thee tongue room.
Thanks, fanfayre! If I have a horse that might need the soft mullen again I’ll try that. Thankfully, the mare I mentioned earlier has since grown out of her contact issues through the miracle of better riding :).
OP, I have a D-ring one and perhaps a loose ring. I’ll send it to you if you want to try it for awhile. They might be 5.5". Let me know if this would be of use to you and I’ll see what I actually have in my bit box.
I used the Mullen mouth loose ring for a horse who was super fussy in the mouth. Worked well but she was a chomper so they didn’t last all that long. They are better than happy mouths, much more flexible. The smartpak store sells the returned ones for cheap, you might be able to call the store and buy one over the phone, with shipping.
I was just wondering if they do that. If the bits MVP have arent 5.5", that would be my next step. Thanks!!