Sprenger

About Sprenger bits

Herm. Sprenger has made equestrian fittings in Iserlohn, Germany, since Hermann Sprenger founded the company in 1872. It is still a family business, now run by the fourth generation, and its products are still made at the Iserlohn site.

Most of the Sprenger bits we stock are Sensogan, a nickel-free copper alloy. Sprenger developed it from its earlier Aurigan alloy with a lower copper content, and says it encourages chewing while keeping its shine for longer. If you would rather use plain stainless steel, there is Satinox, Sprenger’s stainless range, along with other stainless bits.

The mouthpiece is where Sprenger bits differ most.

• KK Ultra is double jointed, with a middle link angled at 45 degrees that rolls over the centre of the tongue when you pick up the rein.
• Dynamic RS was developed from KK Ultra and is shaped to sit between the tongue and the palate without pressing on sensitive areas. Sprenger suggests it for sensitive horses and horses with a fleshy tongue. Single jointed versions are available.
• NovoContact has an oval mouthpiece that gives a wide contact surface on the tongue while the contact is steady, and narrows as a rein aid is given. The single jointed version is meant for horses that do not take the contact confidently. The double jointed one suits horses that evade the hand but are too sensitive for a stronger bit.
• Bradoons and Weymouths make up a large part of the range, most of them in Sensogan, for riders in a double bridle.

Most of the snaffles here are loose ring or eggbutt, with D-rings, gags and Pelhams as well. Our article comparing the French link and the lozenge may help if you are weighing up a double jointed bit.

Many of the metal Sprenger bits can go on our 30 day Bit Bank trial, so you can try one on your own horse before you buy.