FAQ

Q: Why doesn’t Hippus make its bits out of copper?
Some riders believe that copper is important for saliva production in the horse’s mouth and even that horses like having copper in their mouths. However, salivation is achieved by the tongue moving freely in the mouth, which stimulates the saliva glands in a natural way. The unique design of our bits guarantees precisely this. In addition, copper is a toxic metal. Research carried out on horses in the U.S.A. has shown that there is a connection between copper bits and the disease OCD (osteochrondosis).

Q: Are Hippus snaffle bits sharp?
Any snaffle bit can be sharp in the wrong hands. Some riders think that a bit should fill the whole of the space between the bars, so that the bit cannot move backwards and forwards. Experience has shown, however, that most mouth injuries are due to thick bits. Ideally, the bit should not fill more than half of the space between the bars.

Should I have dentistry performed on my horse prior to a competition?
After proper treatment, horses perform better, not worse! Be sure to chose a professional certified equine dentist – preferably one who also has horses and horsemanship skills. Read «Choosing an equine dentist».

Why does my horse always bleed from the mouth when having his teeth fixed?
There is very little blood in the tooth itself – only in the pulp, which is normally retreated beyond the surface ???. If your horse is bleeding it is from soft tissue, not the tooth. You may have made very poor choice in your selection of a tooth practitioner!

Where can I find a professional horse dentist in my area?
Check list on this site. If not suitable, email us and we will try to find someone for you.

Should all horses be sedated for dental maintenance?
NO! Stress free handling should be an absolute requisite of a professional horse dentist. Some procedures may require sedation. Most «routine work» performed by professional equine dentists can be done without sedations.

What widths are Hippus snaffle bits suitable for?
Because of the special uninterrupted form and the patented single-joint (middle axis), Hippus bits have a 2 cm self-adjusting size range which will fit an average-sized mouth from 11,5 to 13,5 cm. The L-series is suitable from 13,5 to 15,5 cm.

Can Hippus snaffle bits be used for dressage competitions?
The C1100, H510, H510G, DW100, DW100G, K2000 and H500ult comply with regulation guidelines.