Advice on neue Schule universal with traz angled lozenge bit

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bellsinheaven

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Hi, I am interested in buying a horse, but they are currently ridden in the above bit. Having only ever had horses ridden in snaffles, I am unsure why they ride in this bit? When asked, they said she is very soft mouthed and it works for her and that she is only in that bit for XC, and snaffle the rest of the time. The owner appears 100% genuine, but I don't know enough to know if that's correct...is it anything to worry about? The horse 100% has good brakes, so does it really matter if they are in a stronger bit or not other than me worrying she's not snaffle mouthed which it what I am used to?
 
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Hopefully someone more experienced than me will come along to answer your question properly, but I wouldn't be surprised if a usually snaffle mouthed horse needs a slightly stronger bit for XC. It wouldn't worry me enough to put me off. Presumably you can try this horse over some XC fences before buying to get a better idea of how she goes?

(As a side note / musing to myself, I wonder whether the term "snaffle mouthed" shouldn't be taken too literally anymore, given the huge variety of bits available to us? I.e. I would just take "snaffle mouthed" to mean that a horse has a soft mouth and good brakes and goes well in a bit with a relatively gentle action. I'd be interested to know what other people think)
 
When I was competing I used a Neue Schule snaffle for hacking, flatwork but would sometimes use a Universal for XC jumping. My TB wasn't strong but I felt the need for more control.
That said, I would want to ride a potential purchase in a snaffle in any trial.
 
I was recommended the Nueue Scule Trans Angled Lozenge by my EDT as the mullen mouth pelham I had was causing issues. The EDT said that I should go for the narrower mouthpiece as they did two, I think one was 16mm and the other 12mm (it was many years ago and I forget if it was 12mm).

This was because the horses breed dictated that she had a large fleshy tongue and a narrower bit was more comfortable for this type of horse.

She was only in it on fun rides because she was too strong, everything else she was fine in a snaffle. I was told by a professional that it's better to check once with a stronger bit than it is to constantly pull on a snaffle in such a situation where the horse is excitable and gets a little strong.
 
I always rode my horse in a snaffle, other than XC or fun rides when I used a universal so I had a few more brakes! The Jeffries one is just as good as the NS one and far more reasonably priced incidentally 😊
 
Levrier said:
I always rode my horse in a snaffle, other than XC or fun rides when I used a universal so I had a few more brakes! The Jeffries one is just as good as the NS one and far more reasonably priced incidentally 😊
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I can believe that. It cost me a good chunk of my weekly pay all those years ago, goodness knows how much they are now!
 
Same as others, Snaffle for general work, Universal for XC for brakes. When you ride her, see how she feels in a Snaffle (coming in to the contact etc). I would raise an eyebrow if told she has a soft mouth but they ride in a Universal?
 
It is very common to use a universal or something similar for jumping and snaffle for flatwork but it will mean the horse is stronger jumping than on the flat in a snaffle, so you should be aware of that. Not that that is unusual at all. I can't comment on the severity or otherwise of the lozenge though as I'm not familiar with that mouthpiece exactly. This isn't a bit I'd be concerned about personally no.
 
We use the NS universal on H for hunting , I use it with two reins and MrGS uses one on the bottom ring .
its a good bit where a snaffle is not quite enough .
you can also add a curb strap if needed which helps with steering
I would buy a horse that uses one for exciting stuff without a second thought
 
Same here! I use the NS as I like the quality and mouthpiece, and used the Universal for XC and hunting just in case. Horse is what I'd describe as a snaffle mouth but I liked to have the option. Agree Widgeon, I think it's now a more general description than about a specific bit as there are so many variations!

I'd try it jumping and see what you think but just the bit choice itself wouldn't put me off.
 
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