Any experiences with a Jeffries Harmony?

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So we've decided that the Lilypot (5yrs kwpn x tb/shire) is not completely happy with a nutcracker action bit (intermittent head throwing & opening of the mouth) & having dismissed one lot of advice to 'chuck her in a waterford with a grackle' & another to 'just put a flash on, that'll stop her', I've being toying with the idea of a Neue Schule Verbidend (sp?). But of course they are soo expensive! I was going to hire one from the bitbank/bitshop but then someone pointed me in the direction of a Jeffries Harmony.

Now please excuse me if I sound thick but is there the slightest possibility that this bit could be every bit as good as what I've heard about NS? It seems too good to be true considering the price difference! Of course I'm not expecting a quick fix, she's young & green after all & we're taking our time with her, I'm just trying to find something that she can be comfortable in to progress with her schooling. She has a low palette, quite a thick tongue & a dry mouth (which I've posted about before). So has anyone tried the Jeffries & possibly the NS too? Thanks xx
 
Hi I struggled with Reo contact, dry mouth, not happy in mouth didn't like nut cracker action, I thought I would try verbiband and bought o d and he hated it from the word go . I perservered thinking he may just need time to settle but it didn't improve . I ended up with a happy mouth with roller in middle and 100% better and excepting. I think my boy also doesn' t like the metal in his bit, so I event him in all plastic type bits for jumping and xc and don't get the snatching now and he has gone from a very strong horse jumping to very easy to jump no more pulling. I also removed stopped strapping his mouth shut and he is now happy with a cavesson :)
 
I have an NS trans-angled lozenge on my 5 yr old mare.

Re the verbindend - I have heard they are more for an established horse? Could be a different bit I'm thinking off but was similar to the verbindend don't quote me on it though!

NS team up is great most horses seem to like that
 
Ah fab thanks, I've had so many different opinions its going to be a case of trial & error I think! Don't really want to be spending a fortune until we find something she likes ;) I've a loose ring sweet iron with a copper lozenge coming on Monday so that's a start xx
 
Could she like a simple ported snaffle? One of the ponies Al schooled was doing this, and they switched her to a ported snaffle for jumping/ everything bar actual dressage comps and she's so much happier and softer.
 
Kirsty+Java said:
I have an NS trans-angled lozenge on my 5 yr old mare.

Re the verbindend - I have heard they are more for an established horse? Could be a different bit I'm thinking off but was similar to the verbindend don't quote me on it though!

NS team up is great most horses seem to like that
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I'd agree with that, I used a happy mouth full cheek snaffle with a roller to break in my youngster. I then progressed to a tranz angled lozenge. Now the horse is working at novice level dressage I'm considering swapping to the verbindend but I'll take a look at the harmony!
 
^^ I would at that price ;)

Thanks gals, some good suggestions to try (I have a list now ;) ) Ive a feeling the bitbank might be hearing from me quite a bit! xx
 
Cotswold sport do a version of the verbindend called a tongue saver which are considerably cheaper than NS. I bought my verbindend 2nd hand so worth keeping an eye out. As others have said though that mouthpiece is for a more established horse though so might not be ideal at this stage.
 
I've just put the jefferies harmony in my newly backed 4 year old and she loves it. We originally had a plain hanging cheek which she didn't like then I tried her with the jefferies balance bit, she was ok for a couple of weeks but she just didnt feel right, she's now got the jefferies harmony bit in and she's going lovely, she has a very small mouth, shes 17hh Hanovarian x ID in a 5 inch bit and I think the curve in the bit allows the room needed for her tongue. Unfortunately with youngsters it's a lot of trial and error and eventually they'll find a bit they like
 
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