I am considering purchasing one of these bits and was just wondering what the reviews are like? Who out there uses or has tried this bit? What are the pro’s and cons?
It looks like a French link with a curved mouthpiece.
Have you tried that style on the horse before?
What bit are you currently using? What problem are you trying to solve? Have you tried a French link on him already? They are widely available in less expensive brands. Also there are Mylar bits in a similar configuration.
If the bit is the problem many horses respond well to a change of bit. If the problem is rider’s hands, training, or body pain the bit won’t make a permanent improvement
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I’ve had one horse that liked it and one that it was bit much for.
My Arab had a small mouth, and not much room for a bit (slight parrot mouth, low palate, etc.). He went very well in this and the narrow diameter and shape helped it fit well in his mouth.
My Hanoverian mare is a sensitive creature (yes, she’s a chestnut) and this bit backed her off the contact. I believe if you read the Neue Schule description they say it magnifies the rein aids. This bit didn’t work for the combination of her sensitivity and my not perfect hands. She’s currently very happy in the Neue Schule turtle top.
Neue Schule has a nice bit recommendation service on their website and can likely give you some good direction on how likely it is to work for your horse.
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I’ve been using this bit for close to a year now I think. I purchased it after reading a review about NS bits and got curious to see what options they have; my mare is pretty consistent no matter what bit she goes in, but I liked their science and options. I contacted them online to see what they might recommend, and the verbindend was the first one they suggested. My mare is half draft and heavy on the forehand and likes to lean, so I wanted to see if a bit might assist us in lightening that up.
I can’t say I’ve seen a ton of difference in it, because as I mentioned my mare isn’t picky about bits, but I do feel that she is a bit softer in her jaw with this one - perhaps that is because I can be lighter with my rein aids, not totally sure.
I probably wouldn’t shell out the same cash again with this type of unfazed horse, but I like the contouring of it and it has worked no worse than some, perhaps better than others? I recently saw a very similar bit made by a different brand that was much cheaper. I’d be more inclined to try and save a few dollars and pick that one up if I ever needed something in the future in a different size.
I used this bit on my big KWPN gelding that sucked his tongue back in other bits. He was more comfortable in this bit (no complaints from his tongue). Appropriately light and responsive. Great bit for him. I’ve heard many people say that their horses go well in it. I never tried it with my PRE because he’s a fixed ring type of guy.
I rented and purchased from a Bit Bank, but I believe there are various tack shops in the U.S. that have similar rental options. I’d go this route to try before you buy if you’re unsure.
Yes, Dressage Extensions will let you rent for two weeks for $15.
https://www.dressageextensions.com/bit-testing/c/2030/filter/100000001821eq100000001824/
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I used the NS verbinden for 8 months. At first my horse liked it. He is heavy in the contact and he instantly became lighter and more sensitive. This worked well for us and as much as I did like the bit, he eventually started to be come very sensitive to the bit and I decided to just go back to the HS ultra KK. He likes the HS bits the best and I just figured I’d stick to what is his preference.
Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences. My guy goes well in most bits, just thought this one looked good so I think I will try the rental idea before buying. Always willing to add to the tack trunk if the bit encourages the horse to soften, relax & seek contact but renting first makes sense. Thank you!
I use the D ring version on my 4 yo. He was always a bit odd about the connection with bits and when he was started and then went for some additional training, both pros commented on not being able to find a bit he was really happy with. I ended up doing a bit consult online (free!) with NS and this was their first suggestion. It actually has been the best option for him and is a legal bit, which makes me happy. Before a regular double joint had him soft in the mouth and chewing nicely, but he would root and you would intermittently loose steering and brakes (not good with a 17.3h baby!). The single joint gave you brakes, but he didn’t feel as relaxed in the jaw. A bevel gave you good steering, but he felt a bit behind the contact. The verbindend seems to be a good compromise…he is softer and more accepting of contact, but if he does root/get disorganized, I don’t loose all my control/steering.
Last month, I tried both fixed cheek versions of the NS Verbindend Hunter D Ring and the Turtle Top Eggbutt with my 7 year old Lipizzan. It was a bit of a challenge to determine which he preferred - he’d just arrived from Austria, and was still getting settled in, and we’re still figuring one another out; my saddle hadn’t arrived yet, so we were using a sketchy-fitting saddle with a lot of shims/half-pads. With all this going on, I wasn’t sure whether any evasions/unsteadiness was due to the bit, the saddle, being in a new place, being with an unfamiliar rider, etc.
The bit fitter felt a fixed cheek would provide more lateral stability for him, plus he was ridden in a full-cheek while in training in Vienna), which is why we didn’t try a loose-ring.
I initially felt the Verbindend was the better fit - he felt lighter on his front end (the Verbindend is supposed to help lift the shoulders and is good for a horse that likes to curl/dive deep) and I felt that lateral movements/bending were also easier.
The Turtle Top felt heavy and wooden, by contrast.
But that changed after the 3rd/4th rides (and riding in the correctly-fitting saddle). I felt he was steadier in the Eggbutt. I was actually kind of hoping he’d like the Verbindend - it was less $$, and I liked the description of the attributes of the bit.
So I ended up getting the Eggbutt. He still seems to like it; there was supposed to be a bit fitting clinic in May, and we were going to re-evaluate him at that time, but that will be pushed back to later this summer/fall. I’m looking forward to seeing what she says, and how he goes in other bits, as well.
As I mentioned, we’re still getting used to one another, so I’m expecting -hoping!- overall our rides will improve.
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How interesting… I was also considering one of the NS Turtle snaffles! Thank you for your input Speedy Alice, it was helpful and good luck to you and your new horse! And Critter, I am waiting to hear back from NS on a bit consult. Thank you!
I tried a couple of different NS bits on my Oldenburg. I did the Start Up and the Verbindend. He hated both of them - it was like he swallowed a stick. Turns out it appears that he is sensitive to the metal.
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My OTTB goes in the Verbindend. We initially put him in this but when he was quite fresh off the track, as he liked to both lean heavily and curl. As he learned about contact and balance, all those issues have disappeared, but given he likes the bit and is naturally a TB and tends to want to get heavy on the forehand, I see no reason to fix what ain’t broke. He will stay in it until I see a reason to change.
that said, When my Dutch filly came home from the colt starter, it was the last bit I would have picked for her. She is naturally uphill so doesn’t need lift…she needed to learn to trust light contact from my hand and stretch into the bit. She is in a KK Novocontact double joint, and it has been working well for her given that set of concerns. She likes the softness.
NS recommended the Turtle Top to me as a second option to the Verbindend, but there seems to be some question as to weather the Turtle is legal? So I went with the Verbindend. Just something to be aware of and look into if you compete!
You’re very welcome, and thanks for the good wishes! Also, in case I didn’t make this clear ~ this was a phone consult with the bit fitter - she didn’t see how we did with them in person.
Yikes RE: it being legal! I thought I’d covered all of that with the bit fitter… it doesn’t seem like it has a particularly crazy-different shape, the way the Verbindend is, and that one is legal. Thanks for the heads up!
I found this link from the USEF, page 22 says the Turtle Top is legal: https://www.usef.org/forms-pubs/96D17lSsaCo/annex---bits-saddlery-equipment
I just remember at the time of looking at them, something came up in my searches that suggested it may not have been legal and I didn’t delve too deeply as I was more interested in trying the Verbindend anyway 
So don’t quote me haha!
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Oh, awesome - that’s great news… thank you for that link! Super helpful - am saving for future reference.
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I had the exact same experience with my 6 year old. We put him in the NS verbinden (from a standard loose ring French link) in late November, and started having issues in March. He didn’t want to go into the contact, and sometimes he’d lose his balance, hit the bit and then get worried and toss his head around. We switched to a NS Tranz Angled Eggbutt bit and he’s been much better–still not super heavy in the bridle, but not afraid of the contact.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! After visiting with a bitting specialist, I chose the NS Turtle Top. Unfortunately it won’t arrive for a few more weeks. Looking forward to trying it and happy to hear that it is legal just in case my guy loves it…
Good luck with the Turtle Top! As an addendum~ my guy had his first US dental exam yesterday, and had quite the mouthful: 2 wolf teeth, which I’d suspected (one of which had caused scrape marks on the Verbindend I’d tried), sharp edges on his molars, a hook in the back that cut his tongue, and an upper canine that still hadn’t broken through (at 7 years). 
(He was to have been seen a month ago, but due to my state’s shelter at home order, that appointment was postponed).
It was a job getting the wolf teeth out, since the roots were deeply embedded, and he also had gum removed from the unerupted canine. All of this no doubt impacted how he felt about anything in his mouth (although he didn’t show a lot of displeasure - I think he is pretty stoic… am still learning about his nature). I won’t put a bit in his mouth for a few days, but will say that the vet/dentist was very familiar with the NS Turtle Top and thinks in general it’s a great bit. Will see how it goes next week…~
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