As a bit of a bit hoarder, I have always had a problem with buying bits, whether it’s something that I just don’t have, or something interesting or weird (most recently I bought a leather snaffle that turns out my horse LOVES). That being said I have never been able to spend over $100 (CAD) on a bit! Are these (and others) brands WORTH it? What are your experiences?
I have a Neue Schule Verbindend loose ring and 3 ring and love them both. The loose ring, you’ll have to pry from my cold, dead hands. I got it for my horse who has a somewhat sensitive mouth, but is very large and can get a bit lazy when it comes to self carriage. This bit was an instant improvement - better downward transitions, less temper tantrums when I closed my leg, etc. Coincidentally, I show the same horse in a leather pelham, which is another miracle bit for him.
If you have one that is finicky in its mouth, then these fancier bits might be worth a shot. If you’re blessed with a more simple horse, it’s not necessarily something you need in your tool box.
Following because my draft cross has decided to lay on everything I have tried him in I’m currently looking at the Neue Schule knockoff thinking this may be a good option for him. I have a plain 16mm loose ring 3 piece snaffle that he went better in over the weekend. I know bits don’t fix everything and my riding could ALWAYS be better. He just has a lot more pull than push being his draft makeup.
I have the Neue Schule Verbindend, and a Neue Schule three ring waterford. They are extremely well made.
In general, I don’t put cheap metal in my horse’s mouth. The exception is happy mouth stuff - I have a happy mouth mullen that serves a purpose.
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In the case of these bits, I don’t think knock-offs are going to have the same impact, as there is a lot of engineering put into the specific shape of the bit and how it acts on the horse’s mouth. I have used a lot of bits, especially on my current horse, and the difference between a normal french link with a bean in the center and the Neue Schule is crazy, considering they look very similar.
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The thing about expensive bits is they are expensive for a reason. Usually it’s because of all the time and research that is involved in developing them. They may look similar, but in the same vein, to some people all of CWD’s saddles look more or less the same, while other people recognize nuanced differences.
I have used bits from almost every expensive manufacturer out there except for Lorenzini (and I will admit I truly do not understand the mark up in price in this particular brand because their range is very limited. Perhaps it’s because they are from Italy?).
Neue Schule bits are tricky. Every mouthpiece seems to be suited for very a very specific issue, but some issues will go away, which could leave the bit unsuitable. So I would say some of their bits are for the long haul, and some are not.
I got a Turtle Tactio for my fussy TB. While it didn’t make all of my problems go away instantly, it gave me better connection than I ever thought was possible with this particular horse. He learned so much about self carriage for the first 6 months that we used it. But I think that the turtle tactio (probably the verbinden and tranz-angled lozenge too) in particular is more of a training bit, because a few months ago he got fussy again. I put him in a Stübben snaffle with a lozenge (which we had used with moderate success a couple of years ago) and he was much happier. So I think what the Neue Schule did was help him get comfortable with contact in the bridle. As he sought more contact, the bit couldn’t provide it (because the angle that the mouthpiece lays on is pretty unusual) and he got bothered again. I sold the bit because it was much too expensive to hoard. It was worth it for me at the time, but if I was concerned about my budget, I would have skipped NS bits. If I had a training program, I might invest in several different NS bits, but as a person who will only ever have one horse at a time, they aren’t worth it.
In my experience, I have never been disappointed with a Stübben bit. They aren’t over the top expensive, and the designs aren’t something that the horse will out grown in a matter of months. Their bits are pretty basic, but the mouthpieces tend to be thoughtfully designed (like the joints in their snaffles are tight enough that they can’t pinch or catch on anything, and they are a nice middle-of-the-road thickness). I have several, and they are the only ones that I can’t seem to bring myself to sell.
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Try a Waterford mouthpeice. In Neue Schule or plain jane. Worked for me!
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I used to religiously only use Herm Sprenger for years and years, I decided to give the ND a try. They have surpassed Sprenger and considering what I paid for them 15 - 20 yrs ago, the price is comparable for today. I have been very happy with all the Neue Schule bits I have used, each with a specific purpose. My most recent purchase was the bridoon and curb for my horse’s double dressage bridle. I am sold on the quality, research and feel the Salox type metal is very well accepted and creates a moist mouth, every time. I also love that the Salox (NS’s patented metal mix) is the only bits that are non-toxic to the horse. The choices are overwhelming so I had one of their professional bit fitters come out and helped me choose. It is a service called Try My Bits, available everywhere and worth every penny. Their knowledge of bits is phenomenal .
I ride and drive a fjord who was born knowing what that neck is for, so I feel your pain (literally). My challenge is twofold, first in dressage it is just a snaffle which is a delightful upper body workout experience for me if I was looking for body building titles instead of good dressage scores. In the driven dressage component of CDE, I can use a leverage bit (liverpool, etc.), but that comes with poll pressure (which offsets any elevation I get from the curb chain). Also this pony had an opinion about 3 piece bits. He had a stronger opinion about traditional snaffles, but he was only .00001% happier with most of your standard 3 links.
So after trying a few options and generally being pretty unhappy, I found the Stubben EZ Control. I tried it in a loose ring first, figuring I could return it to Dover if he had a hate (he did not), and then I forked over the considerably more $ for the liverpool version.
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Thank you for the input! I’ll look into it I have a lesson this week so should be able to talk with the trainer about it then
I just couldn’t get behind the Neue Schule bits. Really wanted to love them. I find them too lightweight to be honest. My go-to’s are actually Stubben bits. I find they have a similar effect to the can’t-go-wrong Sprenger bits, but at half the price. I have THREE of their golden wings 4-in-1 bits. Obsessed.
