Happy mouths...

The Sprenger Bit Measurer is used to take measurements of the width of the horse’s jaw

Horse Deals reports from a bitting training day at dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer’s yard, organised by German company Sprenger

A select audience of leading riders and trainers attended a special one-day bitting forum at the Bechtolsheimer family’s Gloucestershire yard.

The morning began with a bitting talk by Brigitte Schulte, sales manager for Sprenger, and Heinz Baumann, general manager of Herm. Sprenger, who have been instrumental in working with universities, professional riders and trainers worldwide to continue to create a collection of bits based on research and the latest technology.

There were some familiar faces present, including leading dressage riders Spencer Wilton and Peter Storr, judge Judy Harvey, eventers Jay Halim and Sam Griffiths and leading German trainer and former Olympic Champion Klaus Balkenhol.

Simon Middleton of distributor Zebra Products, whose staff members have been trained to educate retailers

For the good of the horse

Founded in 1872, Sprenger is based in the centre of Germany and technology has had a huge influence on the design of its bits.

Originally, the majority of bits were made from mostly stainless steel, nickel and zinc. Sprenger discovered that copper content had a positive reaction on the horse’s salivation process, but a pure copper bit would be too soft, with the potential to bend and misshape, so the company researched aurigan, a metal made up of 85% copper, zinc and silicone.

The research revealed that aluminium was not a good combination with copper, as it stopped the oxidation process that leads to salivation, but, as well as looking at metals, Spenger was also keen to understand mouth conformation, in order to create bits that would be comfortable for the horse as well as effective.

Previously, it was thought that horses with big heads would have large mouths and smaller heads would equal smaller mouths, but the research has proved this wrong.

The delegates listen and learn in the Bechtolsheimers' indoor arena

In collaboration with the veterinary university in Hanover, Sprenger commissioned a study to discover the following: How much space is available for the bit in the horse’s mouth and would this help to decide which type of bit would fit best?

Which anatomical structures lie next to the bit and which are subjected to its mechanical forces?

The project began after Sprenger contacted a professor at the university with these questions, expecting that the answers would be readily available. The company discovered several weeks later that there were no figures available worldwide!

This lack of information prompted the university and Sprenger to start a new research project and over a period of two years, horses’ heads were measured and approximately 200 X-rays taken from the bridge of the nose to the lower jaw and from one side to the other. The height of the diastem (the difference between the upper and lower jawbone) was also measured.

The bits used were covered with a special plastic material that provided a contrast medium and were either double-jointed or single-jointed snaffles with a stick through the bit rings to mimic the rider’s hand action on the reins.

Laura Bechtolsheimer introduces former Olympic dressage champion Klaus Balkenhol

Size and conformation

The X-rays showed that when the bit moved in the mouth, it rotated on its own axis when the reins were pulled, even on just one side. The measurements of the diastem showed no relationship between the age of the horse, the length of the horse’s head or the size of the horse. For example, a young horse can have a larger diastem than an older horse and vice versa.

They also discovered that the length and height of the diastem on one horse can differ from left and right. This was verified by using a plate with impression material, which was inserted into the horse’s open mouth and under the palate to mould to its surface.

The interior volume of the mouth was less than previously thought and it was found that the tongue fills the oral cavity almost completely and acts like a cushion.

When the reins on a double-jointed bit are tightened, the snaffle rotates on its own axis and at the same time pulling the reins relocates the bit: it moves backwards and rotates the tongue.

Heinz Baumann uses a spectator’s arm to demonstrate the effect of a bit

The height and width of the horse’s mouth is also not as large as first thought, varying from 1.5cm–3.5m.

The result of this research had a direct influence on Sprenger’s bit design and the company set about creating a bit that was anatomically correct and put nil pressure on the bones in the mouth cavity, yet gave clear instructions to the horse in a new and soft way.

After designing a number of single- and double-jointed snaffles, these were extensively tested and the test results examined carefully. The best results were with a double-jointed bit that had been shortened via the middle link and had an angle change of 45 degrees to the front. Thus, the now hugely popular KK Ultra bit collection was created.

Other misconceptions were that a thicker bit was a kinder bit, but this depends on how much space there is in the mouth for the bit to lie on, like a cushion, the length and height of the palette and whether the jawbone is rounded or high and angular.

The KK Ultra collection was designed through research carried out at Hanover University

The tongue fills the oral cavity almost completely and acts like a cushion

Horses for courses

Brigitte and Heinz talked through a few selected styles from their collection, noting which had proved popular with different disciplines and horses. The Sprenger Dynamic bit had arms that were slightly more bent for “louder communication” and were popular with event riders Andrew and Bettina Hoy, while the Sprenger WH Ultra, created with American dressage rider Lisa Wilcox, was good for young stallions because its rolling section helped get their attention on their mouths and relax the jaw.

They touched on different disciplines, pointing out that for horses that snatch during the cross-country phase, the KK Correction bit is excellent. If the horse leans constantly, the Universal bit provides more leverage and helps keep it in balance. Many show jumpers favour the Universal bit, too.

Brini and Christian in action during Klaus Balkenhol's training session

This relationship with top trainers and riders such as Lisa Wilcox continued to influence the range. Brigitte then discussed the Sprenger Balkenhol bit, which was created in conjunction with Klaus Balkenhol, who was invited to explain the inspiration behind the design.

“This bit is shaped to accommodate the shape of the mouth and is raised in the middle so that there is no pressure on the tongue or palette, thus making sure that the bit gives clear communication when the rider uses the reins,” he said.

Klaus pointed out that mouth conformation was key to finding the right bit for your horse. He was adamant that you should know the conformation of your horse’s mouth. If it has a round or angular jaw or has very little room in the mouth, this can have a huge influence on bit choice.

Rider and trainer Peter Storr takes a closer look

Questions and answers

Following the talk, guests were invited to ask questions.

Some of the more notable ones were the comments that Sprenger bits were heavier than stainless steel and asking what impact this would have on the horse.

The answer was that there are enough muscles within the tongue to carry a heavier bit and a very light bit can encourage tongue problems, with horses tending to “overplay” with them and also be less stable.

Brigitte explained the trend for bits that have independent movement.

“We have tested this type of design and have found that we cannot have total control over the bit’s movement within the mouth. This is key to our philosophy, she said.

The question of the responsibility of bit manufacturers to the public was discussed and it was agreed that knowledge and information back-up was key to ensuring riders were well educated.

In the UK, Sprenger has trained the staff of Zebra Products, who distribute the brand, to enable them to educate retailers and those who have direct contact with the buying public. This means consumers can make an informed decision as well as offering a helpline to the general public.

The Universal bit can help with a horse that leans and is also popular with show jumpers

If your horse has a flat palette it could be that the bit is lying too high in his mouth– Heinz Baumann

Training tips

In the ridden section, Heinz worked with Laura Bechtolsheimer’s home-bred youngster Teddy (Polar Bear) and explained how to measure a horse’s mouth.

After looking at how the bit lays in the horse’s mouth with a bridle, Heinz measured Teddy’s mouth. This involved using a semi-circular metal gauge —“the Sprenger Bit Measurer” — to take measurements of the width of the horse’s jaw, then by taking three fingers and slipping them into the area where the bit lays, Heinz was able to judge the width of the bit Teddy would be able to take. This was done on both sides. He also took the horse’s tongue in one hand and had a look at the palette to check for “rawness”;

“If your horse has a flat palette it could be that the bit is lying too high in his mouth and touching the palette in a negative way. You also need to know if your horse has a round or angular jawbone, which again can have an effect on how the bit sits in his mouth,” he explained.

The KK Correction bit can help with a horse that snatches when going across country

Training session

A training session followed featuring Klaus’s goddaughter riding a home-bred five-year-old called Christian and Laura Bechtolsheimer translating.

Klaus began with concentrating on getting the horse used to the environment without putting on any pressure, giving him a long rein and keeping him circling not too near the audience to start with, but patting him each time he went a little nearer the crowd.

“Don’t bully your horse if he’s nervous, as it will take longer for him to relax,” he explained. “You need a relaxed horse as a starting point, without that everything else is compromised.”

The quality of trot changed when he came near the audience end as tension started to creep in, but Klaus told Brini to ask for a little flexion then give with the hand, reward him with a pat and concentrate on rhythm and forward movement. Klaus emphasised the importance of Christian having a positive new experience today and how important it is for the horse to have trust in his rider in order to enjoy success.

Klaus told Brini to have a walk break, which is particularly important for a young or novice horse when building new muscle. With the horse warmed up, Brinni began sitting trot and worked with half-halts to encourage the hindleg to come under while continuing to ride a little nearer the crowd.

Christian was still looking around, but the quality of the trot was vastly improved from that at the start.

“It’s so important to ride with the seat and leg,” explained Klaus. “Riding with the hand will stifle the hindleg and is like having moving with a handbrake on — pointless!”

For more information, contact the Sprenger Bitting helpline (01942 681002) or visit www.zebraproducts.co.uk