I was wondering if anyone has noticed a distinguishable difference between the Herm Sprenger duo and the Nathe rubber bit? I’m picking between which to get for my horse, and I’ve heard the Herm Sprenger is a dupe for the Nathe, which I have on loan from a friend. There’s only a $10 price difference, so that’s not my concern, but my local tack store carries the HS but not the Nathe which is the only reason why I’m asking. Are there any notable differences between the two? From from I can see, the Nathe seems a little thicker and the shapes are very slightly different, but other than that, they’re very similar. If anyone has experience or opinions in one versus the other, please let me know! TIA
The shape is a bit different and I feel like my HS has a slightly different bend-y feeling than my nathe. I bought both planning to choose between them, but reality is that one ended up on my flat bridle and one ended up on my jump bridle so I didn’t have to go find a duplicate of one over the other. The HS is closer in shape to this: https://www.hookseurope.com/horse/horse-gear/bits/bit-nova — but the Nova doesn’t have any sort of wire through the mouthpiece, so if it were to break, you’re pretty much SOL. Anyway - my horse goes in the HS or the Nathe with no noticeable difference. They ride essentially the same in my experience.
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Nathe is definitely thicker. I prefer the Duo for my TB with a small mouth. I don’t think the horses would split hairs about the feeling or flexibility, but I do agree they are slightly different.
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I have used both, and I notice no difference in the way my horse goes, for the price difference between the 2 bits.
I do like to look of the Nathe better, though. Something about the rounded ends rather than the squared ends of the Duo. I am riding in the Duo at the moment
Okay, thanks everyone! Adding one more bit to the mix, what are everyone’s opinions on Happy Mouths? I like that they carry more different styles (eggbutt, D ring, etc.) and are more affordable. Has anyone had luck with them? I know that theirs are shaped a little different with the molded mouthpiece. If anyone has used a combination of these bits on the same horse, I would really appreciate input! TIA
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/happy-mouth-shaped-mullen-eggbutt-4985
I tried a Happy Mouth once and the mouthpiece was too damaged to use after just a few rides. This horse wasn’t a bit chewer and the damage wasn’t near his teeth, so I don’t even know what happened but there was a small divot with sharp edges. I know others like them but that was my one and only experience, FWIW.
I recently bought a Duo on eBay for somewhat less than new price. If you can be patient, you could set an alert on there and wait for a good deal! I haven’t had it that long but the material feels more durable to me than what the Happy Mouths are made of.
My horse did NOT like the Happy Mouth.
Too hard, too thick.
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Okay, one more question… Are the bathe/herm sprenger style ones legal in dressage for USEA eventing? In the Appendix, they specify that Happy Mouths are allowed, with a photo of their mullen mouth loose ring snaffle (below). Since the mouth piece is a slightly different shape in the HS/N version, does that mean only the happy mouth brand ones are allowed, or that rubber loose ring snaffles are fine? Also, does anyone know if the D ring version of the herm sprenger (below) is legal? TIA, sorry for all the questions!
One of my mares really likes her happy mouth. She’s um expressive about what’s in her mouth. Lol
Hmm. Look at number 17 (“flexible straight bar”) here: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/cd7fgZFu25Y/usef-eventing-annex-1. I’d think that would cover the Duo and Nathe, although they are slightly tapered. I’d guess that they only singled out the Happy Mouth because its mouthpiece is significantly curvier.
D-rings should be no problem.
But if you are concerned, shoot USEF (not USEA) an email with a pic of your bit, print out their response, and take it to shows with you. I’ve done this before and they are very responsive.
Yes, the Duo/Nathe shown in your photo is allowed (I’ve been using one for 4 years- in both eventing and straight dressage as both loose and D-ring), including as the D-ring. I was of the understanding that the HM wasn’t allowed due to the ridges on the mouthpiece, but if it’s specifically stated in the rulebook it’s allowed then I stand corrected. Plus, any combination of mouthpieces and ring styles shown in the appendix is allowed, so you could have a rubber mullen, a HM or the N/D loose ring, D-ring, full cheek, egg-butt or 1/2 cheek (and perhaps even the baucher, but don’t quote me on this one) unless specifically stated not allowed.
Hope that helps.
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When you use the loose ring Duo/Nathe, do you use a flash or drop noseband? I find it pulls to one side of the mouth way too easily. I have a very green rescue horse and was trying the Duo because it is so mild.
I’ve found that too. Using a flash does help stabilize it, but I switched back to a full cheek snaffle because one corner of my pony’s mouth looked a teeny bit raw after a recent ride in the Duo. I haven’t seen a difference in her way of going after switching to the cheapo bit so I will probably be re-selling my Duo on eBay soon.
What type of full cheek are you using? Happy mouth, single jointed, double jointed. I had started with my mare by trying a single jointed full cheek but wasn’t convinced she liked it but I may go back to that.
Just a plain old single-jointed metal one. It was in the “take a bit, leave a bit” bin at the tack shop and it was the right size, so I snagged it. Really her issues are training and strength, not bitting (although I tried a double-jointed NS Verbindend that I happened to have in her size, and she detested it, so clearly she does have some preferences).
I’m thinking of trying a Boucher actually because it should be similar in action to the full cheek, but without the protruding cheekpieces that I’m always afraid will snag on something even though I use keepers!
I’m a devotee of the Nathe and Duo, but not the hard Happy Mouths. BTW, there is a very nice Trust bit that is ‘D’ ring and I like this for jumping and turning. I am a believer that less is more regarding the mouth, and more works when using the seat and weight and training.
