We are pleased to announce that we now have the Sprenger range of horse bits in stock.
This world-famous bit range is the result of 150 years’ experience of research and manufacture. Handmade in Germany, Sprenger bits come with a lifetime guarantee – so you can rest assured that you are choosing the very best for your horse.
The majority of Sprenger bits we hold in stock are made from Sensogan – this patented bit material is made from an innovative mix of metals including manganese. It is particularly suitable for sensitive horses and creates a pleasant taste in the horse’s mouth that helps to increase salivation, therefore resulting in increased relaxation and a horse that is ready to concentrate and perform.
CHOOSING A BIT
We know that choosing a bit for your horse can be a tricky decision, so we’ve put together the guide below to help you.
The KK Ultra Loose Ring Snaffle is the perfect starter bit. Designed in conjunction with research from the Veterinary University in Hanover, the KK Ultra lozenge is uniquely designed and angled to give a true yet gentle contact on the horse’s tongue with no pressure on the palate. This means that clear instructions can be given though the reins.
In an ideal world, horses would stay in the KK Ultra for the rest of their careers, but unfortunately horses can’t read the textbooks so may need alternative solutions to enable them to perform at their very best.
For a show jumper or event horse that gets keen over fences, the KK Ultra Universal is a great option. Using the same KK mouthpiece as the snaffle, it offers extra control depending on the positioning of the reins, making this a versatile jumping bit.
The KK Ultra Butterfly Flip again uses the KK mouthpiece, but with an action based on that of a traditional Kimblewick for extra control.
For a horse that does not take the contact forward and is very light in the hand, an eggbutt snaffle such as the Sprenger Dynamic RS can be useful. The fixed sides can be useful in encouraging the horse to develop confidence in a steady contact and to accept the bit. The mouthpiece is curved for even pressure across the whole tongue, making this a very gentle bit. Again, the lozenge is angled to give a true contact on the horse’s tongue.
Another choice for sensitive horses that duck behind the contact is the Novocontact Single-Jointed Snaffle. This oval-shaped mouthpiece sits comfortably in the horse’s mouth over a wide surface area and will not produce a nutcracker action. It is also useful for horses with a narrow mouth that can become uncomfortable in a lozenge due to lack of space.
For a strong yet sensitive horse, consider the Novocontact Lozenge Loose Ring Snaffle, which again is made in an oval shape but with a central lozenge, and has been shown in tests to have a positive effect on horses that occasionally pull against the hand but are too sensitive to wear a stronger bit.
Check out the Sprenger Duo Butterfly Flip for a stronger jumping horse that dislikes metal bits. This bit has a soft plastic mouthpiece that allows space for the tongue, while also providing extra control from the butterfly sides.
Horses that can become ‘fixed’ in the contact or unresponsive to the rein aids will often benefit from the WH Ultra Snaffle. This bit has a revolving roller in the centre of the lozenge, designed to provide gentle stimulation to the horse’s tongue. This encourages the horse to relax the jaw and soften through their entire body.
An innovative concept from Sprenger is the Max Control mouthpiece. This stainless steel bit is designed to be used as a training bit, as it acts like a normal lozenge snaffle when the horse is working correctly. However, if the horse comes against the rider’s hand the bit will lock into a straight bar, giving a stronger effect. This is immediately relaxed once the horse softens to the bit. This bit is available in Snaffle or Pelham versions.
If you would like to discuss bitting options further, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team on 01565 723525 or sales@equiport.co.uk.
Availability and prices correct at time of publishing
