For those seeing a positive result what bit were you previously using?
My sensitive soul is in a HS Duo…she is much improved but I am intrigued by the novocontact.
[QUOTE=cuonxc;8096299]
For those seeing a positive result what bit were you previously using?
My sensitive soul is in a HS Duo…she is much improved but I am intrigued by the novocontact.[/QUOTE]
Mine will be going from a Duo, so I’ll let you know…
[QUOTE=cuonxc;8096299]
For those seeing a positive result what bit were you previously using?
My sensitive soul is in a HS Duo…she is much improved but I am intrigued by the novocontact.[/QUOTE]
Mine has most recently been in a HS KK Ultra loose ring, and spent most of his life in an OLD HS loose ring, single jointed. I couldn’t tell you what it is because I inherited it along with the horse.
Farmhouse only has an eggbutt. So that’s out…I guess I am special ordering this bit from somewhere.
I’m almost afraid to ask – what is the cost of this new bit? TIA
PEnnyG
I’m seeing them at $143.95.
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=10294
For the loose ring double jointed version.
The single jointed one is $114.95.
[QUOTE=Nestor;8066688]
… Even better, my trainer and I have both noticed that he no longer sticks his tongue out (so far), which has been a slight problem all of his life, and more of a problem since he had a broken tooth, and then broken jaw, last year.
So basically he’s now much happier. Hopefully this continues![/QUOTE]
Can you tell me more about your horse’s tongue issues? Did he always travel w/it out?
My guy just turned 6 and I suspect he was tongue tied at the track. His tongue hangs out with any bit in his mouth. (We’ve done his teeth, etc.)
Do you think the Novocontact could change this habit?
[QUOTE=Somantu;8096747]
Can you tell me more about your horse’s tongue issues? Did he always travel w/it out?
My guy just turned 6 and I suspect he was tongue tied at the track. His tongue hangs out with any bit in his mouth. (We’ve done his teeth, etc.)
Do you think the Novocontact could change this habit?[/QUOTE]
My horse always has, and even still does, let his tongue peak out from between his lips on the right side. It’s not out, but you see pink, because apparently it doesn’t fit in his mouth. 
He leaves it there when he’s snoozing in his stall, on crossties, or riding. But when he broke a tooth last year, and since then, he’s been sticking his entire tongue out on the right (anywhere from 2-6" of tongue will stick out). When trying to remove that tooth, he broke his jaw, was then in a hackamore for months, and then once all of the wiring was removed from his mouth and he was back in a bit, the tongue issue came right back full-swing. Before it was a habit, he’d just do it if we were working on harder/new stuff and he was a bit anxious/tense. Once it became a habit, it was almost all the time. I tried switching to a thinner HS from his life-long fat, single-jointed HS, with no change. Then I tried the Novocontact, and I’ve seen his tongue all of one time (which I attribute to me having a bad day and being tight), despite his work picking up in intensity now with the better weather. In fact, he’s even begun to tuck away the bit of tongue that has peaked out for his entire life.
I’d definitely say it’s worth a Dressage-Extensions-rental to try it out! I can’t say if it’s a solution for all tongue issues, because my guy was always super sensitive with his mouth and the tongue was just another symptom of that (he’s been with my trainer for 15 years so she knows every square inch of him).
Thanks Nestor 
Trainer says too small…
I need a larger size. So, anyone interested in the single jointed 51/4" ridden in only 5 times? I think I still have the box in the garage to boot! PM me if interested. Meanwhile, I join the backordered masses.
Update: Bit sold.
How would one decide between the single joint and the double ?
Per Website:
Tests have shown that the single jointed novocontact bits are highly recommended for horses that do not take the contact confidently. They also provide added benefit for horses with a sensitive mouth, since the rider is able to give precise but soft aids.
The double jointed novocontact bits are also ideal to use on horses that occasionally tend to pull against the hand, but are too sensitive to be ridden with stronger bits.
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I am so easily swayed by advertising!
Want one!!!
i tried to order the single joint bit for the 5.5 inch size I need to find out it only comes as 5.25 or 5.75 - any suggestions as to going up or down?
Has anyone got any updates on this. My boy is in a sprenger duo and not going to change just yet but when he ups his work we’re going to need to I think.
[QUOTE=Nestor;8066688]
Well, I’ve only had 2 rides in the new bit, but I already see a positive change, as does my trainer. My horse has always been super super soft in the bridle, and would quickly go BTV if you aren’t careful. Having him put weight in the contact has always been something to be careful with, it takes some careful riding to encourage him to go truly into the contact. And the one thing I can say for myself is that my arms and hands are soft and consistent, this is purely his own preference, not a rider-induced issue.
In this bit, he happily puts even weight in the contact right from the start. For example, suppling the rein no longer results in him going BTV, but instead loosening up through the base of his neck. Even better, my trainer and I have both noticed that he no longer sticks his tongue out (so far), which has been a slight problem all of his life, and more of a problem since he had a broken tooth, and then broken jaw, last year.
So basically he’s now much happier. Hopefully this continues![/QUOTE]
I have that bit and I got it 8 years ago. As they say: “There is nothing new under the sun”. Of course, the one I have is not a Sprenger, and it cost <$50. (I know that because I never spend more than $50 if I have not been able to try the bit first.) Usually bit makers copy the expensive bits and sell them cheaper, but in this case, the Sprenger is the knock-off.
I bought it for my big and still growing young jumper. He was started by a Western guy (don’t ask) and when he felt any bit pressure, he would immediately drop behind the bit to avoid pressure, yet he was still a “bull in the china shop” kinda guy. Before this bit, I had to ride around like a gaited rider, with my hands held high in the air, to counter his attempts to roll up into a ball.
I love the bit. It did exactly what I wanted, and it seems to be just what you need, too. Rarely do I find a bit that has such an immediate and positive effect – the number of bits in my bit box will attest to my frustration in finding just the right bit for some horses.
I just searched several sites that sell a huge number of bits and I could not find the one I have ---- which is too bad, or else I could tell people where to get the original one.
Anyone who lives near me in NC is welcome to borrow the bit, since a Sprenger is expensive to buy if it is not what you need.
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8128070]
I have that bit and I got it 8 years ago. As they say: “There is nothing new under the sun”. Of course, the one I have is not a Sprenger, and it cost <$50. (I know that because I never spend more than $50 if I have not been able to try the bit first.) Usually bit makers copy the expensive bits and sell them cheaper, but in this case, the Sprenger is the knock-off.
I bought it for my big and still growing young jumper. He was started by a Western guy (don’t ask) and when he felt any bit pressure, he would immediately drop behind the bit to avoid pressure, yet he was still a “bull in the china shop” kinda guy. Before this bit, I had to ride around like a gaited rider, with my hands held high in the air, to counter his attempts to roll up into a ball.
I love the bit. It did exactly what I wanted, and it seems to be just what you need, too. Rarely do I find a bit that has such an immediate and positive effect – the number of bits in my bit box will attest to my frustration in finding just the right bit for some horses.
I just searched several sites that sell a huge number of bits and I could not find the one I have ---- which is too bad, or else I could tell people where to get the original one.
Anyone who lives near me in NC is welcome to borrow the bit, since a Sprenger is expensive to buy if it is not what you need.[/QUOTE]
I’d be really surprised if you have the same bit - it doesn’t look in person anything like the pictures and is quite wide and flat, so if you’ve not seen one in person I don’t think it looks like you’re thinking it does. I’ve seen a LOT of bits in my life including a lot of time in europe and I’ve never seen anything like this.
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Lord Helpus, which bit are you referring to, that you have had for about 8 years? Interested if there is another version out there.
Also, does anyone know if the Novocontact is legal for dressage? (It should be…)
Finally, for those who have noticed a positive result/change with your horse, how long have you been riding with the bit? If it has been several weeks and still going well, I have hope that it is a true change, and not just the “new bit in my mouth, this is interesting” response. KWIM?
