Help me choose a bit for dressage cob

[tobiano1984]

I want to look a bit more into a suitable snaffle bit for my cob, now that we're starting to do 'proper' work. To date he's been in a fairly thin, loose-ring french link snaffle. I generally like loose rings and double jointed for youngsters, and think I'd like to get a neue schule bit but not sure which one. I've only got a Verbindend from an old horse which I think is a bit more advanced? I don't really like normal french links with the flat link, prefer the lozenge as I think the flat links press into the tongue more and don't give an even pressure.

He's 15hh, chunky and very 'expressive' in his paces, honestly moves like a 17hh warmblood and can be a bit all over the place as he struggles to contain his massive movement. Just turned 5, starting to work well in an outline in walk and trot.
He's got a fairly fleshy mouth/big tongue as per most cobbies. But not strong at all, fairly sensitive and responsive mouth - at the start of a schooling sesh he can be quite resistant and leans, gets better as he works more. No particular problems but just want a bit that is the best for a blank canvas and will help him to soften as much as possible - obviously good riding is key, but I just want to make sure the bit is as helpful as possible!

If anyone can recommend a lozenge-type snaffle for us, please let me know

 

[xgemmax]

Could you get the NS version of the one you have already but with a lozenge? That way you will know he goes well in it

 

[tobiano1984]

Could you get the NS version of the one you have already but with a lozenge? That way you will know he goes well in it

I'm just not sure about the difference between all the NS bits! There' a starter bit, team-up etc etc. The french link he's in at the moment is just a bog standard cheap type!

 

[hayley.t]

You can ring and speak to the people at ns, I did and they were really helpful.

 

[PorkChop]

What about this one, sounds like it would suit him http://nsbits.com/product/verbindend/ - also Cotswold Sports sell a bit extremely similar to this at a much more reasonable price!

 

[eggs]

I have a warmblood with a short mouth with very fleshy lips and found the Verbindend didn't really work for him. He is back in his NS starter bit snd working at advanced medium

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

NS Team Up? My cob hated the NS Starter for some reason but goes sweetly enough in the Team Up.

 

[catkin]

Is he going well in the bit he's got?

If so then why not keep him in it - a standard loosering French link snaffle is dressage legal.

ETA - horses don't always like the ergonomic bits or the different metals - one of mine prefers a 'bog-standard' hollow mouth snaffle to the expensive and beautifully designed Sprenger bit we got for her.

 

[tobiano1984]

Is he going well in the bit he's got?

If so then why not keep him in it - a standard loosering French link snaffle is dressage legal.

ETA - horses don't always like the ergonomic bits or the different metals - one of mine prefers a 'bog-standard' hollow mouth snaffle to the expensive and beautifully designed Sprenger bit we got for her.

No not really, which is why I'm looking for a new one. He's just not very soft in it and resists quite a bit. My previous cob went beautifully in a Verbindend but this one doesn't seem to care much for it so wondering about the Team Up/Starter bits.