Nathe bits are a non-metal range sold by Herm. Sprenger, the German bit maker. They are made of thermoplastic, which Sprenger describes as food-safe and hypoallergenic. It is a poor conductor of heat, so the bit stays at a comfortable temperature in winter, and its smooth surface avoids the rubbing “eraser” effect of rubber.
The trade-off is that thermoplastic is softer than metal, so it marks if a horse bites down on it. Nathe suits a horse that is sensitive to metal or fussy in the contact more than one that chews hard.
The Nathe range we stock comes in several mouthpiece thicknesses, so you can match the bit to the room in your horse’s mouth:
Cheeks include loose rings, eggbutts, D-rings and full cheeks, along with 3 ring and full cheek gags, baby Pelhams, Weymouths, bradoons and driving bits. Our guide to the mullen mouth bit explains when an unjointed mouthpiece helps, and the bit fitting checklist will help you size one, since a thicker mouthpiece takes up more room.
Nathe bits are sold outright and are not part of the Bit Bank trial. Some are sent to us from Germany to order, so allow extra time where the product page says so.