Welcome back Nathe!
In this month’s blog we’re delighted to be sharing the relaunched Nathe collection and taking a closer look at some of the key designs. Nathe has been a much loved brand in the bitting world for many years , with horses and their riders appreciating the soft and gentle contact offered by the flexible thermoplastic mouthpiece. Sadly, in the summer of 2022, the brand had some issues with some of the plastic connectors used in the bits becoming brittle over time, with some breaking. The brand quite rightly took them off the market while they investigated the issue and have since been developing and testing the designs. With the relaunched collection, riders can once again choose Nathe’s innovative and horse friendly designs which are so well-suited to young and sensitive horses. Let’s take a closer look at Nathe bits and what’s changed with the relaunched collection!
What are Nathe bits crafted from?
Nathe bits are crafted from a hypoallergenic thermoplastic that’s designed to encourage chewing, salivation and contact. The material is particularly suitable for young horses starting their education or horses who don’t accept a metal bit, but it’s also great for riders who are looking for a gentler bit for their horse. The soft, flexible mouthpieces, which are resistant to temperature variations (so won’t freeze on a very cold day!) are wrapped around a steel wire core that provides the strength and security riders rely on. The rings and connector parts are made from robust stainless steel, and, depending on the bit design, there are also plastic, Sprenger Sensogan or copper middle links.
What different designs are in the new Nathe collection?
The relaunched Nathe collection includes a wide range of mouthpiece and cheek piece designs, including:
● Loose ring snaffles
● Eggbutt & D-ring bits
● Mullen mouth bits
● Full cheek bits
● Three-ring bits
● Pelhams, Weymouths and bradoons
● Driving bits and accessories
Our top picks from the new collection include the Nathe D-Ring with flexible Mullen mouth, which is a wonderful bit for younger horses who appreciate the stable feel in the mouth, the low port for tongue relief and the steady, balanced contact it offers. There's also a full cheek version with the same flexible Mullen mouth, which is perfect for horses who appreciate the extra steering and support the cheekpieces give as they learn and develop under saddle.
The Nathe Loose Ring Snaffle is another mouth and tongue-friendly choice, with a copper link to encourage acceptance and stimulate the production of saliva. This bit offers a steady and even pressure with more aid subtlety for horses who are a little more advanced in their training, thanks to the loose rings.
Helping you get your new bit fitted correctly!
The team at Nathe has also added new labelling to its range of single and double jointed bits. This is to ensure the bit has been fitted correctly and therefore functions properly and is comfortable for the horse to wear. There is an ‘N’ logo with an arrow on the side of the mouthpiece, and when the horse is wearing their Nathe bit correctly the arrow should point forward on the left hand side.
Shop the new Nathe collection on our website now and get in touch via our free helpline if you would like any advice on the bit design that will suit your horse best. https://www.horsebitbank.com/brands/nathe