Neue Schule vs Herm Springer

[Draftmare]

I am narrowing in on the bit that I want to try next. Several people have mentioned Neue Schule, and while researching them Herm Springer’s Novocontact bits have come up a few times too. Are they similar?

Quick back story: my mare has always been fussy in metal bits. I switched her to a rubber bit which worked well for about a year before she started to brace against it. Switched her to a happy mouth and the bracing went away, however my happy mouth broke after 3.5 months and I am reluctant to invest in another. I started riding her in the rubber bit again while I figure out what to do and she is back to bracing. She is a draft cross, and slightly downhill, so getting her off of her front end, while doable, is not easy.

[Mia_Sorella]

I don’t have experience with the specific bits you’re asking about; but if your mare goes well in a happy mouth, have you considered trying a Nathe?

[LilyandBaron]

I have two of mine in the single jointed Novocontact bits and very happy with them. One is Andy cross that could easily go BTV to evade, and he’s more firm and seeking contact with this bit. Other is TB that was hunter and had to learn to accept contact more, and she was more likely to go hollow, but also more consistent in the Novocontact. Have not tried Neue Schule, but pleased with the experience for two lower level horses who had different issues and are now more consistent.

[Luna]

I use both a NS and HS–Both lozenge bits but one is loose ring, the other is eggbutt. I rotate when I need to but have found both to be great. My horse was fussy in other bits (tried french link, mullen mouth and a few others) but these two were the winners. I think whichever you can find at the cheapest price would be good.

[csaper58]

Does your mare prefer a thick bit or a thin bit?

The Novocontact bits are thick, Nueu Schule bits are available in thin diameters.

Even used, all of them are more $$ than a the Happy Mouth you said your mare likes.

OP, Why do you just feel like throwing money at the issue?

[BatCoach]

[QUOTE=csaper58;9031279]
Does your mare prefer a thick bit or a thin bit?

The Novocontact bits are thick, Nueu Schule bits are available in thin diameters.

Even used, all of them are more $$ than a the Happy Mouth you said your mare likes.

OP, Why do you just feel like throwing money at the issue?[/QUOTE]

well since OP is saying that the Happy Mouth bits are only lasting 3 months, I can see how she wants to stop throwing money away on a new bit 4 times a year.

OP - how i your mare breaking the Happy Mouth? Is she just constantly nashing away at it? Is this possibly coming from a place of pain or anxiety?

FWIW, I love Neue Schule. Since Brexit, the British pound is lower, so you can get them for around $80 or so by buying direct from across the pond. My horse has a low palate and fat tongue, so a narrow diameter was comfy for him, however each horse is so different that you might just end up trying a bunch of different bits anyway.

Dressage Extensions and some other tack shops offer a Bit Library where you pay a fee to trial certain models a bits. Might be worth looking into.

[haphazard]

I really love Neue Schule bits. I have had excellent luck with them across a variety of horses (Oldenburg, 2 OTTBs, and Appendix, etc). My picky OTTB’s particularly loved them - I had one OTTB that had a low palate and very fat tongue so the smaller diameter made him significantly more happy. They warm up faster than traditional bits too. I haven’t used the new Herm Sprenger bits, but I typically don’t like fatter bits because I end up with more horses who dislike fat bits. I have three Neue Schule bits - 2 Loose Rings with lozenge, and one of the wonder/beval bits (I was an eventer for many years and used this as my x-country bit).

Neue Schule has definitely become my go to bit for my horses. The customization in diameter has really been a godsend!

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=BatCoach;9031393]
well since OP is saying that the Happy Mouth bits are only lasting 3 months, I can see how she wants to stop throwing money away on a new bit 4 times a year.

OP - how i your mare breaking the Happy Mouth? Is she just constantly nashing away at it? Is this possibly coming from a place of pain or anxiety?

FWIW, I love Neue Schule. Since Brexit, the British pound is lower, so you can get them for around $80 or so by buying direct from across the pond. My horse has a low palate and fat tongue, so a narrow diameter was comfy for him, however each horse is so different that you might just end up trying a bunch of different bits anyway.

Dressage Extensions and some other tack shops offer a Bit Library where you pay a fee to trial certain models a bits. Might be worth looking into.[/QUOTE]

One bit.

The OP dismisses any advice to check the horse’s mouth.

Quoting another thread by the OP, “She just had her teeth checked in November.”

No one else seems to have this issue with a Happy Mouth.

I guess I don’t like seeing a reputable company disparaged by a frustrated rider.

Dressage Extensions will let riders try either of the bits for a $15 fee.

[Draftmare]

One bit.

The OP dismisses any advice to check the horse’s mouth.

Quoting another thread by the OP, “She just had her teeth checked in November.”

No one else seems to have this issue with a Happy Mouth.

I guess I don’t like seeing a reputable company disparaged by a frustrated rider.

Dressage Extensions will let riders try either of the bits for a $15 fee.

Do you have your horse’s teeth checked by the vet every month? Every week? Every day? Why is 3 months unacceptable to you as a time frame during which my mare’s teeth were last checked and cleared as being fine?

And I am not alone in my Happy Mouth experience. Do some research.

[Draftmare]

well since OP is saying that the Happy Mouth bits are only lasting 3 months, I can see how she wants to stop throwing money away on a new bit 4 times a year.

Thank you! Somebody that understands. I guess to some people throwing away a $60 several times a year is no big deal. OR I could take that money and invest in two NS bits at that rate!

OP - how i your mare breaking the Happy Mouth? Is she just constantly nashing away at it? Is this possibly coming from a place of pain or anxiety?

I really have no idea. The damage was towards the middle of the bit, not anywhere near her teeth. She was also very quiet in this bit, nothing out of the ordinary for what I think a bit should be able to hold up to.

FWIW, I love Neue Schule. Since Brexit, the British pound is lower, so you can get them for around $80 or so by buying direct from across the pond. My horse has a low palate and fat tongue, so a narrow diameter was comfy for him, however each horse is so different that you might just end up trying a bunch of different bits anyway.

Dressage Extensions and some other tack shops offer a Bit Library where you pay a fee to trial certain models a bits. Might be worth looking into.

I am looking at doing that, or just sinking my money into one and buying used off of eBay or Facebook. I figure I can probably resell if I don’t like it and spend less than buying it brand new.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

I finally decided to try a NS Verbindend and love it. After trying many, including a HS, it has been the only legal bit that has worked for us.

[myhorsefaith]

No, not similar.

I love the NS bits as well, but they aren’t for all horses - but that can be said for most bits! I have been using the 12 mm verbindend from dressage extensions- it has been a great thing for my otherwise fussy/chompy STB. He has quite the collection and we have finally settled on this particular bit and things are going great.

However, I recently re-started a half arab gelding in the verbindend as well since I had one that was the wrong size for the STB. After a few rides he started to lock onto the right side of it, when tracking right, and pull it up and away to the left. And then there were a host of other issues to follow- contorting his body, pushing into my leg, being balky, posturing, etc. His teeth were checked and done this past fall. While in the process of ruling things out, I swapped him into a low/wide port myler with an eggbutt cheek piece and he was instantly happy. I’ve never had much success with Myler as a miracle bit, nor am I necessarily a believe of their fitting philosophy, but i had one in my collection due to the STB (who was okay in the myler, but not great…which led me to try the NS and we haven’t looked back since). I don’t know if it just feels more solid, if it fits the arab better, or what but that behavior went away instantly along with the other bs things he’d try after the pull-fest. His training has been progressing very quickly since that change. So for him, the NS bit at this time wasn’t the best choice. I have wondered if it is just the cheek piece he likes - but I dont have a collection of eggbutts to try - and since he’s happy in the stupid myler, we’ll continue with that.

STB= Neue Schule, Arab=Myler, Rider=happy to not have to buy more bits, haha

I also had tried my STB in the Novocontact - i have a single joint loose ring in the collection. Initially he liked it and then decided it was something he could leeaaaaaaannnn on. It is a pretty darn thick bit and I can see why some horses would like it - but very different from the various NS bits.

Good luck!

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;9031519]
Do you have your horse’s teeth checked by the vet every month? Every week? Every day? Why is 3 months unacceptable to you as a time frame during which my mare’s teeth were last checked and cleared as being fine?

And I am not alone in my Happy Mouth experience. Do some research.[/QUOTE]

I have my horse’s teeth check every time there is a good indication of a problem

Just like us horses can crack or break a tooth the day after a check up.

All research shows the currently made Happy Mouth bits are sound. Why do you keep insisting all their bits will fall apart in 3 months?

I linked to the corporation’s web site on your other thread. Why don’t you contact them about a refund/replacement instead of bashing them here?

[csaper58]

[QUOTE=Draftmare;9031531]
I really have no idea. The damage was towards the middle of the bit, not anywhere near her teeth. She was also very quiet in this bit, nothing out of the ordinary[/QUOTE]

Why not post a picture of the damage? That might help clear things up.

[Draftmare]

I have my horse’s teeth check every time there is a good indication of a problem

Just like us horses can crack or break a tooth the day after a check up.

All research shows the currently made Happy Mouth bits are sound. Why do you keep insisting all their bits will fall apart in 3 months?

I linked to the corporation’s web site on your other thread. Why don’t you contact them about a refund/replacement instead of bashing them here?

I already stated that I contacted them and was told sorry but they couldn’t help me. Here is their exact email since you don’t seem to believe me:

Thank you for contacting us!

We forwarded your pictures of the Happy Mouth Bit to our returns department and after speaking with them they said that this damage is not considered a defective issue. Due to this bit not qualifying as defective we will not be able to offer a replacement for this bit. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any further questions or concerns and we will be happy to accommodate your requests.

Happy Riding!

Nowhere have I said “OMG ALL HAPPY MOUTH BITS SUCK, THEY WILL ALL FALL APART!!!1” I have simply stated that my own personal experience with them was less than ideal and that I on a personal level do not feel inclined to invest my own money in getting another happy mouth bit.

If my horse had really cracked a tooth or was uncomfortable in the mouth I think I would have noticed by now. I feed her twice a day, and often observe her eating her hay and grain. She never drops or misses a spec. She is a food Hoover.

Also, you seem to missing the fact that I have stated several times that she was perfectly happy in the happy mouth bit. Accepting of contact. Soft in her jaw. Collecting up well. But again, I, on a personal level, do not feel like I really want to buy another $60 bit knowing what I know now based upon my own experience and the experience of others that these bits do not hold up well. I would much rather invest my money into something that is going to last me a long time. Which is why I started asking questions.

[csaper58]

You have stated repeatedly that your experience with 1 bit has been unsatisfactory, and you will not purchase another because you believe that bit will fail in similar fashion.

Again, Why not post a picture of the bit?

Where and how it is damaged may lead to an answer about which other bit may also suit the horse.

[Mallard]

I had a horse who could chew a Happy Mouth bit to shreds in a couple of rides.

I too, would like to see a photo of the OPs broken one…

[Roni4444]

I have both and the NS in their mildest versions but my guys like the Novocontact the best.

[purplnurpl]

Lol.
This is fun.
Munch munch munch on my popcorn.

Personally, I like HS bits because they are fat and heavy.
That’s all.

Oh, also… It was just one bit. Maybe it was a lemmon. Id try with one more happy mouth before going for metal. Especially if the horse is good in it.
I had a Richard Shrake break WHILE I WAS GALLOPING! I didn’t buy another… So I get it.

[Draftmare]

Lol.
This is fun.
Munch munch munch on my popcorn.

Personally, I like HS bits because they are fat and heavy.
That’s all.

Oh, also… It was just one bit. Maybe it was a lemmon. Id try with one more happy mouth before going for metal. Especially if the horse is good in it.
I had a Richard Shrake break WHILE I WAS GALLOPING! I didn’t buy another… So I get it.

Not really sure why the one poster had to send this conversation south so quickly. They seem really obsessed that I should just get the same bit again, which isn’t their choice to make. I also don’t understand their need to stalk around all of my recent threads and comment the same thing on all of them. :eek: I am just asking questions and exploring options, like many other people on this forums.

I don’t think it was a lemon, other students of my instructor’s have had the same experience, though most of theirs lasted at least 6 months. My instructor agrees that is not off the cuff for me to not want to buy another one and to look at other options.