Q&A: Sprenger answers your questions!

Irritated horse’s mouth corners

Alice has tried a lot of bits with her 6-year-old horse. There has even been a bit fitter. The teeth are also checked every year by a professional horse dentist. Her horse is doing good on a double jointed snaffle bit. The only thing is, that it causes soreness to the inner mouth corners of her horse. According to the bit fitter, this is caused by the middle part of the double jointed bit together with a not so quiet riders hand. With other bits, her horse opposes the rider's hand, so she prefers to keep riding with a double jointed snaffle bit. Alice is asking Sprenger if there is any solution to her problem.

Sprenger indicates that they see this problem - irritated mouth corners- very often when using double jointed snaffle inside. Because the bit lays over the tongue, it presses the sides together, which can irritate. The Sprenger Max Controlbits could be a possible solution for this problem. Max Control bits locks at a certain angle and thus becomes a straight bar. As a result, the bit does not bend and the corners of the mouth are less affected. 

Advice about the double bridle

Ann would like to know what is advised about the double bridle. Does the Weymouth need to be larger or smaller than the bradoon?

Sprenger explains that it used to be said that the 'the bit size of the bradoon was ruling', but in combination with the Weymouth, the side parts of both bits came too close to each other. So nowadays Sprenger always advises the following: use a bradoon in one size larger than your normal snaffle bit and the Weymouth in the size of the original snaffle bit size. 

Bit sizes

Alina submitted a very important question, which is: how do you know what size bit a horse needs?

Earlier, Sprenger wrote a blog about the four steps you can take to get to the right bit for your horse! You can measure the thickness with the "two-finger test" and you can easily measure the size of the bit using the Sprenger bit measuring card.

A sensitive but strong horse

We also received a question about a sensitive horse with a very sensitive mouth. However, this horse has also a tendency to become quite strong especially in stressful situations and during heavy training. In these situations, the horse curls completely behind the vertical. At the moment she uses a double jointed snaffle bit. The question for Sprenger is the following: which bit would be advised. A single or a double jointed bit.

Sprenger gives the following advice in this situation; what you usually see with horses walking behind the vertical, is that they are light in the hand. This makes the whole dilemma more difficult. Initially, Sprenger would recommend a single jointed novo-contact bit. The mouthpiece is flat and therefore soft. The novo-contact bit is great for sensitive horses which can become strong from time to time.

The quality of Sprenger bits

Jana would like to know something about the quality of the Sprenger bits. She wants to know if the Sprenger bits are of better quality than bits from a lower price range. And for what reason are the Sprenger bits in a higher price range compared to a lot of other brands?

Sprenger answers that the production of Sprenger bits takes place entirely in Europe. Also, 90% of the bits are made by hand. In this way, Sprenger can offer very high-quality bits. The brand has developed its material, namely Sensogan. This alloy of copper, manganese and zinc provides a solid bit, without disturbing the natural oxidation. And it is precisely this oxidation of the bit that horses like, which makes them accept the bit better. There is a price difference between stainless steel bits (which do not oxidise) and Sensogan bits. 

Bits that bend less in the middle

The dressage horse of this questioner who's competing in the Sub top likes it better when there is a bit bandage around the double broken bit so that the bit bends less in the middle and the layers are somewhat protected. Unfortunately, the horse bites the bandage with every bit. The question is whether there are bits that bend less in the middle. Because a straight snaffle bit is too strong and rubber snaffles he will tear apart.

Sprenger suggests the Sprenger Flex Control for this problem. The Flex Control bit is a single jointed bit, with a middle part covered with soft, flexible rubber. This gives the bit a slight curve and protects sensitive spots in the mouth. Because the rubber is only in the middle of the bit, it cannot be broken. The bit is also made of Sensogan, which stimulates the production of saliva, making it easier for the horse to accept the bit.

A horse with a busy mouth

Janet has an 8-year-old mare, who has been broken a few months ago. She now rides (and lunges) her with a double jointed snaffle bit. But her horse will put up a fight once in a while and has quite a busy mouth. Janet trains her other mare with a double jointed snaffle bit and when she lunges her mare, she has a busy mouth too which concerns her! She asks Sprenger if a single jointed snaffle bit might be the solution. Or another middle part? The bit she is using right now has a round middle part. She wonders what Sprenger will advise her.

Sprenger suggests a single jointed mouthpiece which will give the horse a more relaxed feeling. The Sprenger Turnado bit would be a good alternative. Most tongue problems are solved with a single jointed bit. The Turnado is a single jointed bit, with a mouthpiece turning forward by 45°. This special rotation is distinctly marked by a slightly abrasive surface in the middle part of the mouthpiece. This prevents the bit from puncturing the palate of the mouth and helps to prevent tongue vices. 

The effect of the Sprenger Max Control bit

Josephine asks how the Sprenger Max Control bit works and what is exactly is the effect of this system?
Sprenger already mentioned the Max Control bit here earlier. Sprenger says that this is a very practical and special bit for a strong horse. The Max-control is a double-jointed bit which, at a first glance, cannot be distinguished from other double-jointed loose ring snaffles. However, it is a correction or training bit which locks at a certain angle and thus becomes a straight bar. The bit lies very well in the mouth when the horse is working properly. When the horse opposes the rider's hand the more intensive rigid effect occurs. 

The arches in a continuous bit

Julia has a question about the arches in the straight rubber bits. She wants to know what the difference is between a medium and hard bow and what you can best use for a pony that has a little bit of an overbite. (Parrot mouth) 

 
In this case, Sprenger advises the Sprenger Duo snaffle bit. It has a straight but flexible bar and because it's made of plastic instead of rubber which is friendlier to the horse's mouth. The mouthpiece is easy to bend and adapts to the horse's mouth. The mouthpiece is 16 mm thick and reinforced with a steel cable to make it stable and secure. It's all in the name; Duo. You can use this bit on two sides. The side with a light tongue arch can be used for sensitive horses which need a light effect of the rider's hand. The side with the straight mouthpiece can be used for sensitive horses which need a slightly stronger effect. Regarding the overbite, this should not be a problem, but if the overbite becomes too big, then Sprenger advises to consult a dentist. 

Sprenger for all horses

Lisa is curious if Sprenger bits are suitable for all horses. 

 
Yes, Sprenger indicates that there is a suitable Sprenger bit for every horse. However, it's important to pay attention to size, thickness, side parts and the difference of material which fits your horse best. To find the right size for your horse you can use the bit chart. It is also good to keep in mind on what level you and your horse are training. For young horses, we advise starting with a basic bit. Are you an experienced rider? Then you could choose a bit with a small effect.