Menu

Stay in Touch
Sign up for ENews
Subscribe Now

Unlimited access >

Menu

Anybody tried both novocontact and turtle tactio?

Dressage
#1

So my pony is veeerrrrryyyy reluctant to take contact and likes to hide,

He is REALLY happy in the Sprenger single joint novocontact bradoon.

I’d like something w a bit more oomph for hacking out, though. Plus I kinda hate hacking in a loose ring because of the “can pull through the mouth” thing. But would still like to keep his mouth comfy.

There is no way a 16mm bit will fit in his mouth, or I’d stick w the single joint novocontact. The only other bit I’ve seen that is slim where the bars are that still has a wide area for the tongue is the Tactio. Hence, the above question,

i guess i coukd try a short shanked hack, he’s just soooooooooo sensitive I don’t know if that would be too much for him…

Any suggestions appreciated. PS…pony in question is a 13.3 Icelandic,

#2

If you don’t want your snaffle to « go through », you should use a regular snaffle and not a bradoon, and you could add a curb strap/chin strap to it.

A kimberwick for hacking could be a better solution than a short shanked pelham; you could just use it as a simple D (and not use the rein slots settings). It would still have a some leverage with the curb chain effect.

But be sure to try it a little in the ring before heading out in the trails.

#3

FWIW, my very sensitive hard to connect mare who was pretty happy in a novocontact practically spit out a turtle tactio when it was tried on her. I now ride her in a bomberz happy tongue and she truly takes the bit properly now. I never changed bits between arena work and hacking as it was not an issue. My mare also prefers a loose ring. Know your horse!

1 Like
#4

I was riding in the single joint novocontact, and not awful, but I ended up going to the Turtle Top with my TB mare that also wasn’t solidly accepting contact. But I did this in a bitting clinic, vice trial/error on my own. She made her preference pretty clear! I’ve raved about the experience in a few threads, but it was incredible. If there’s not a bitting clinic coming to you or just not an option, I’d contact one of the companies and get a consultation on what they’d recommend. I sold a lot of nice bits, and now just have a few basic bits for new horses in the future, but will be doing a bitting clinic before any major bit purchases! So much more efficient!

#5

I second the bit fitting clinic suggestion.

I haven’t used a single jointed bit since I was a kid in a hunter barn where the trainer made all the tack choices, so I have no experience with the Novocaontact. But the Turtle Tactio took at least 20 minutes off of my warm up with my gelding, and I highly recommend that bit. But I did find in through a bit fitting clinic.

#6

I have the Turtle Tactio and like it, although to be honest don’t find it much different than the Sprenger KK Ultra. For a bit more oomph on a hack, maybe a Baucher? It was a great choice for my somewhat strong, very much onnthe forehand, likes a very stable bit in his mouth gelding.

#7

Sadly, nobody around here does bitting clinics, and very few people stock bits small enough other than coronet bits, most of which are too thick. I may try my other icey’s kimberwick on him again. He tried to spit it out last time, but he has had a lot of training since then.

#8

I tried a dozen (at least!) different bits on my little grade mare, and she is happiest in a cheapo $18 stainless steel racing dee that has a pretty thin mouthpiece. Go figure. Must have a low palate and a fat tongue…

2 Likes
#9

I have a very difficult to bit mare. She gets pinched easily so jointed bits normally don’t go over well with her. I normally ride in a PeeWee bit (not legal). The Turtle tactio sounded interesting and the fact that it can “lock”, I thought I would give it a try since I could rent it first. It has worked very well for this mare. It may be 16mm at the bit rings but the part over the tongue is quite a bit thinner. That said, I have not tried the Novocontact on her. I have bought $$$$$ of bits over her lifetime. The TT is working…so no more experimenting.

Susan

1 Like
#10

I’ve tried both. I found my horse actually ducked behind the contact in the tactio, it felt like I had no horse there at all. He’s inconsistent in the Novocontact but I have SOMETHING. The normal turtle top, however, has been the ticket when we put a D ring cheek on it. The turtle WILL sit further back on the tongue and has a slightly different bore angle, so ymmv. My horse has a very active mouth with a short smile, so a bit that sits further back and is very stable works for him.

#11

Look at this guys bits. A lot of them are really not suitable, but some are quite good. I use the French link which swivels and horsey loves it cos he can play with it.
https://www.pinchlessbits.com/store/p144/Robart_pinchless_swivel_free_system_iw_107.html

#12

I used a NovoContact single jointed eggbutt to get my mare better in the contact. From there I moved to a simple Korsteel curved single-joint, which comes in both eggbutt and D-ring, and she has been very happy. They are thinner (like 12mm?) and lighter, so good for the smaller horses. At $30, it might be worth trying for hacking out.

#13

I haven’t tried the Tactio, but I did try a Verbinden, and my pony was violently opposed to that option. I’ve tried a lot of bits, Myler, French link, KK loose ring and D ring. So far, the Novocontact has been his favorite option, even though it is big and heavy.

#14

Owning both the Verbindend and Turtle Top, the action and part of the tongue it rests on are completely different.

#15

Try just for ponies. I would also suggest a D ring. Won’t go through the mouth and you may be able to find a similar mouth piece to what he likes.

#16

Hi! Myssmyst, the single joint novocontact is just flat and wide across the tongue. Very little curve. Is the Tactio similar?

#17

I have the double joint novocontact, and didn’t end up buying the tactio, so I don’t have them ready for a quick comparison. To the best of my recollection, the tactio is similar. The turtle top IS flat and wide across the tongue. I wouldn’t say very little curve, but it’s nothing extreme like the verbindend. It’s comfortable for a fleshy tongue, though.

#18

Can you explain the difference? I have a Verbindand but would like to try the Turtle Top - is it dressage legal?

TIA!

LOL, just read the recent responses which sort of answer my question.

But how are the actions different, specifically? My mare has a small, short mouth with a low palate and fleshy tongue, and tends to be fussy in the contact and lean (leaned worse on a Myler and Baucher.)

#19

The way it was explained to me by the bit fitter is that the most sensitive areas of the tongue are the front and sides. The Turtle Top sits further back over the less sensitive area of the tongue, which tends to be more comfortable for a shorter mouth. It’s also a very stable mouthpiece, without a ton of movement. My horse has a similar mouth to yours and really favors the turtle top. It is currently dressage legal. He HATES the verbindend.

The verbindend would likely sit too far forward on her tongue for her comfort, which is the boat my gelding was in.

#20

Interesting, thank you!

Is it possible to do a trial? I did with my Verbindend…

Get your Digital Subscription here - only $21.95 / year

Subscribe here
See gift options

Sign up to our monthly newsletter!

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.

Copyright © 2023 The Chronicle of the Horse