My mare is quite fussy and she goes the best in the happy mouth and a plain french caveson. I just replace the bit a few times each year. Luckily they are inexpensive, right?
For whatever reason she just doesn’t like the metal ones.
[QUOTE=csaper58;9031407]
One bit.
The OP dismisses any advice to check the horse’s mouth.
Quoting another thread by the OP, “She just had her teeth checked in November.”
No one else seems to have this issue with a Happy Mouth.
I guess I don’t like seeing a reputable company disparaged by a frustrated rider.
Dressage Extensions will let riders try either of the bits for a $15 fee.[/QUOTE]
Other people absolutely have had issues with these bits. Aside from hearing reports of the plastic breaking, there was also a fairly substantial recall:
"Hazard: The steel braided wire in the mouthpiece that connects the bit on either side of the horse’s cheeks can become frayed, rusted or worn, which can cause the bit to break. If this happens, the rider can lose control and fall from the horse.
"Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of wire bits that have broken and resulted in reports of injuries including broken and fractured bones, bruises and back pain from falls.
"Description: “This recall involves eight models of Happy Mouth wire mouth bits used with a bridle in horseback riding. The bits involved in this recall have steel braided wire running through the plastic mouthpiece and most with a metal ring on each end. Model numbers included in the recall are 462172SS, 462177SS, 462181SS, 462184SS, 464123SS, 466898SS, 466904SS and 467248SS. Model numbers can be found on a label attached to the product. “Happy Mouth” is engraved on the plastic mouthpiece.” "
My mare is quite fussy and she goes the best in the happy mouth and a plain french caveson. I just replace the bit a few times each year. Luckily they are inexpensive, right?
For whatever reason she just doesn’t like the metal ones.
Happy mouth bits have gotten very expensive in recent years - $60+ that’s a lot of money to buy every couple of months. At least it is to me.
[QUOTE=csaper58;9031633]
You have stated repeatedly that your experience with 1 bit has been unsatisfactory, and you will not purchase another because you believe that bit will fail in similar fashion.
Again, Why not post a picture of the bit?
Where and how it is damaged may lead to an answer about which other bit may also suit the horse.[/QUOTE]
csaper58, you’re really starting to sound quite stalker-ish. You’ve stated your opinion of the OP’s issues/questions multiple times on multiple threads. It’s getting annoying. Give it a rest.
OP, I don’t know why you keep replying to csaper58. It’s clear that at this point, she is only interested in a hostile engagement. Don’t reward bad behavior by feeding it.
Happy mouth bits have gotten very expensive in recent years - $60+ that’s a lot of money to buy every couple of months. At least it is to me.
It is to me too, which is why I am thinking of trying a NS. Invest the money up front…have a bit that lasts me a long time.
csaper58, you’re really starting to sound quite stalker-ish. You’ve stated your opinion of the OP’s issues/questions multiple times on multiple threads. It’s getting annoying. Give it a rest.
OP, I don’t know why you keep replying to csaper58. It’s clear that at this point, she is only interested in a hostile engagement. Don’t reward bad behavior by feeding it.
I guess I just get grumpy when people, even internet people, attack me for asking questions, and then accuse me of not having the best interests of my horse at heart. Yesterday I was in a bad mood. Today I am feeling better and can let things slide. :yes:
Csaper is out of line. she has done this in multiple threads I have seen recently. Not sure what is up as I don’t recall this kind of extreme behavior before and she’s been around for a while. Is everything OK, csaper?
on to the topic: I have personally had a Happy Mouth bit break while riding a horse. It was due to the metal cable giving way. It was scary as I was on a trail far from home. Luckily my horse was a saint and I could get home fashioning a halter out of two lead ropes my friend had. Not at all something I would want to happen on my current young horses! I get it.
FWIW, I love the Novocontact single joint eggbutt on my current TB who has a tooth grinding issue. I got tired of blowing through plastic bits and he got his tongue over the mullen part a few times, got frightened and bolted, so I had to switch. he was OK in an RS Dynamic but the Novocontact is really great. He also likes the MB04 mouthpiece from Myler – I think that is dressage legal.
I haven’t used the NS bits though so I can’t compare.
Many people have had issues with the plastic breaking on Happy Mouth bits, this is not new. My horse has decided he is going to eat my Nathe and HS Duo as well, so now we are back on metal bits.
It’s too bad you don’t live near the Smartpak store (or do you?) I just scored 2 Sprenger bits in clearance for 50% and 75% off and they had at least 20 more sitting there for the same discount. I’m switching from a Duo to a HS dynamic.
I have a few models of both. The HS bits are heavier and more substantial. The NS bits are definitely lighter and thinner.
2 out of 5 prefer the HS. 1 doesn’t care, 1 doesn’t like either and 1 will just start training this spring but he will be started in a HS.
Both are nice bits but I think the HS brand is better quality in my humble opinion. However, would not hesitate to use either bit based on the horse’s preference.
My mare chewed a HM and nathe fairly extensively. For awhile I used a plain loose ring Mullen mouth. Then a full cheek. Now I’m using the neue scheule turtle top loose ring and it is by far the best bit for this horse, who is chompy, drops the contact and is very fussy. If you have a horse with a low palette and fat tongue this is the bit for you.
Sadly this thread is now more about soothing the OP’s feelings than helping the horse, and being fair to a manufacturer of goods that many use with successful results.
Do I take issue with a poster who for years posts about the same issue over and over again cloaked in the superficial disguise of a new problem yet never attempts to remedy the actual core issue? Yes. It makes me pity the poor horse.
But there is nothing ‘stalkerish’ about trying to help the OP shed her blinders, expand her tunnel vision and look accurately at each of the bits this horse has tried and rejected to find a workable solution.
And I do agree with other posters in the OP’s multiple other threads on this topic that this horse’s ‘mouth issues’ are a symptom of trouble elsewhere.
And if by chance the bit is the issue, why would the OP not try replacing that bit for $60 when she clearly states the horse went “perfect” in that bit.?
Post # 1
My mare has the fat tongue/low palate thing, and she is very sensitive and protective of her mouth. Her go-to when not happy is to curl behind the bit. Tried the Myler comfort snaffle MB02 (I think it’s called) - really heavy on the right side. Went from that to the 12mm NS Verbindend. Much happier pony. Used that for a couple of years without too much concern until I started with a new coach who commented that she thought it was too sharp. So I decided to try the 14mm Trans-Angled Baucher. Pony approves. She is very happy to push into the contact, and now evades above the bit!
So I have been very happy with my NS bits.
I haven’t tried a HS, but I do want to try the NovoContact. He’s pretty happy in the NS Verbindend as well as the Demi-Anky. He is crazy, crazy light in the hand, and will easily drop back behind the vertical. Also, super defensive with his mouth, and can’t stand people being in it. With the Verbindend, he’s started to offer hints of contact. He’s historically liked a thinner bit, which is why I’m hesitant to try the NovoContact. That thing is huge!
My daughter’s OTTB has been in a Happy Mouth baucher for years. Not unhappy, but like a few other horses mentioned here, has been inconsistent in the contact and also drops back behind the vertical, so we tried him in the NovoContact . I wasn’t sure at first because it is so fat, but he likes it! I still find it a minor miracle that he is starting to reach for the contact.
Her other horse is super happy in the thinner NS Verbindend. He has a tiny mouth for a big horse. She also used the Verbindend Universal for jumping.
When we first got this horse, he was in a gag for XC and now she mostly never changes bits as he is listening and has steering in the snaffle, even on xc. We are fans of this bit for this horse!
can you get the trust bits in the US?
my boy likes a heavier bit but soft coating and the trust have a metal core with a rubbery(rather than plastic) coating. He loves it 
zero chews marks too after about 2 months of use it literally still looks brand new.
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=1394&jssCart=32ca759590b8c969c6b66f3fe9378524
[QUOTE=DressageChic2;9033952]
can you get the trust bits in the US?
my boy likes a heavier bit but soft coating and the trust have a metal core with a rubbery(rather than plastic) coating. He loves it zero chews marks too after about 2 months of use it literally still looks brand new.
Trust also makes a metal bit with a leather covering, I think.
I don’t believe you can compete in a bit with a leather covering, can you? I haven’t read the bit section of the rule book lately, but I know it used to be illegal.
The Happy Mouth runs like $60, the NS is something like $200, right? They do have a trial program I think which helps a ton - if you can try it without buying it, then it’s a good option. My QH jumps in one, but I didn’t like the feel of it for dressage. He goes better in a Herm Sprenger for dressage.
The issue with my mare is, it wasn’t like I ended up buying one metal bit. I tried like 5, so I was into it for like $750? Maybe $1000? So for me, it just makes more sense to buy a Happy Mouth 2-3 times a year because she goes well in it.
You can’t use leather in dressage, western or English. Friend of mine has an OTTB with an injured tongue, and she was super disappointed when she found out she couldn’t compete in her leather bit that he liked best. 
I found a NS on Facebook for $50, super excited for it to get here.
[QUOTE=DressageChic2;9033952]
can you get the trust bits in the US?
my boy likes a heavier bit but soft coating and the trust have a metal core with a rubbery(rather than plastic) coating. He loves it zero chews marks too after about 2 months of use it literally still looks brand new.
After getting tired of replacing her Nathe every 6 months, my friend whose gelding will NOT tolerate a metal bit, period, ordered a Trust from across the pond. Horse LOVES it! Goes better in it than the Nathe. I think he likes the heftier weight? The material seems more durable too. She’s had it for 5ish months, rides 6 days a week in it, and it’s barely marked.
Definitely worth looking into for Nathe/Duo users.
Curious about the Nathe and Trust bits, I have never considered a mullen mouth because I always thought it would encourage her to brace more. Is that true or not so true?
