Neue Schule advice please!

starryeyed

starryeyed

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Very sorry for another bitting post, I know there are quite a few around :o

New horsey is proving to be a bit fussy with bits and I was really hoping you could give me some advice on what she might like?

I was told that she used to be ridden in a combination of a happy mouth loose ring & a myler (not sure which one, think the 'basic' one?!) - she hates the taste of standard stainless steel bits and where she would grab a happy mouth out of my hands, the standard bit (LR french link) I'm having to use atm is quite hard to get in - and she's not overly happy about it when I'm riding her either, she's always resisting it - her head goes up and she seems very 'fussy' with it - which she didn't with her happy mouth.

BUT happy mouths really don't seem to fit her well - tried 2 different sizes, the one she came with was too small (rubbing where the rings rotated), the other is much too big - also seem far too chunky in her mouth :confused: So unfortunately HM's are a no-no.

I don't have any experience with mylers, but have heard mixed reviews about them - and only heard positive about neue schule, so was considering one of these instead?
Looking at their website there are so many different types of NS that I'm a bit confused... team up, tranz loose ring, verbindend loose ring....! Any suggestions for which I should try first?
She's very sensitive and light in the mouth, but does tend to tense up & rush around with her head in the air, so I'm after something that will encourage her to soften and relax a little more, as she can work beautifully if she puts her mind to it but does get herself very worked up over nothing. It would be used for schooling, hacking, eventually some dressage and SJ - would need to look at something with more brakes for XC.

Ideally I didn't want to spend this much on a bit but I do want her to be happy :rolleyes: - will be trying a horse bit bank for the first time so hopefully will be able to find something she accepts. Will probably trial a Myler at the same time as a NS as this is what she used to have, but as this bitting dilemma is going on for so long I just want to get something sorted now!

Thank you for any thoughts/opinions x
 
if you speak to NS they are the best port of call. I started a non-complicated mouth off in a tranz lozenge. Maybe try the starter bit as I recall it encourages them to seek the contact.
 
Yes speak to NS. If it is any help I absolutely love my loose ring tranz lozenge and so does Neddy. A beautfully balanced bit, horse so responsive and comfortable.

ETS - they come up small btw.
 
I'd speak to them, they're very helpful. My horse fussy, strong likes the starter & team up but detests the verbindend & tranz angled!
 
my fussy arab was going beautifully in the team up. i phined them to order a different one but after speaking to them they suggested that one
 
My boy has been great in the Team Up bit - but I was advised to try the Verbindend because he has a bad habit of sucking the bit back, grabbing it and bogging off when he gets excited.

Tried the Verbinded....gave it up as a bad job after 2 rides. He hated it and seemed really quite uncomfortable in it.

Back in the Team Up now, and back to lovely soft contact with occasional bogging off moments!! lol!!
 
Oohh brilliant, thank you everyone your replies have been really helpful - will have a chat with NS / the bit bank and see if we can find something that she'll like :)
 
Quick update! - NS suggested the Tranz Lozenge Universal rather than the team up which is what I was leaning towards (http://www.nsbits.com/index.php/spo...ose-lever/tranz-angled-lozenge-universal.html) , to use it on the main ring - unfortunately it's not dressage legal but they suggested that I use this for now & see how it goes, then when she's happier I can think about something I can eventually use for dressaging.

Does anyone know how true these are to size? She's a 5 1/2" in an eggbutt & a 5 3/4" in a loose ring... was going to go for the 5 1/2" but I know some bits need to be ordered a size bigger?
 
If your horse likes a plastic bit, how about getting a nathe or sprenger duo, there's loads of combinations to try. That was the key with my fussy but strong mare. I now showjump in a low ported Mullen mouth butterfly flip covered in latex.
 
My horse is sensitive and has a large tongue with small mouth so today we tried an NS Verbindend however he hated it!

I think I will try the team up or trans angled lozenge but with fixed rings not loose ring to aid him with keeping a consistent contact.
 
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