Neue Schule bit broke (whilst hunting)

[k9h]

I hunt in a waterford nelson gag, made by Neue Schule. Half way through yesterday we came to a post & rails with wire across the top. I took a gentle check as got cut up. Next thing I thought Oh crap a rein has broke werent to bothered as had 2 reins on. Then realised all my reins were floppy! Double crap I realised what had happened!
Managed to pull him up (How I don't know) then 2nd horse came over, then istead of getting on that I just nicked it's snaffle! Luckily horse was a bit tired!

Anyhow I bought the bit 2 years ago, where do I stand on getting it replaced??
It has only ever been used for hunting so won't of been used a 100 times in total? Surely a bit should last longer than that?

 

[Patches]

I would call Heather up and explain what happened.

Some of the bits were recalled a while ago, but I can't remember which ones now.

 

[k9h]

Thanks I have rung her & left a message last night.

It has gone on the full cheek but were the waterford part connects on to.

 

[Halfpass]

My OH had the same thing happen to a myler whilst haveing a good gallop. Myler very kindley agreed to exchgange it but stupid OH never sent the old bit back. I am actually sitting here looking at it now!!! I'm sure they witll exchgange it for you if you give them a call.

 

[Law]

As Patches said there was a recall a short while ago because some were snapping. I'm sure they would take it back and replace it for you

 

[k9h]

Cheers, They are not open till tomorrow again so shall ring them in the morning. Have checked there website & it was the comfort bit they were recalling, but doubt many use the same type of bit as me so hopefully it's a faulty one & they will exchange it.
Thank you.

Shall go get a pic of it later fo you to see & post it tonight!

 

[suzysparkle]

That's not the first time I've heard of neue schule bits snapping (not the comfort bit either)....and mylers too for that matter. I stick to sprenger bits, more expensive but worth every penny.

 

[emzkes]

OMg thats terrible! thank goodness your horse pulled up for you. there is no way in a month of sundays i would be able to pull my ex racer if his bit snapped out hunting. i was planning on buying a neue schule bit but may try somethnig else after reading this,. scary

 

[reynold]

just read this and whilst I'm against litigation these bits breaking sound too many, too often and could cause a fatal accident.

I think that the recall and these breakages should be publicised in H&H to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the problem.

I've never seen any notice about a bit recall. No - I haven't got any of these fancy new type of expensive bits but I do read H&H so think I'd have noticed a recall

Whilst you all seem to have got off lightly what if the breakage had happened on the road and the horse concerned had taken fright and bolted - dead horse, dead or seriously inured rider, dead or seriously injured vehicle driver.

Please will one of you blast this off to H&H....

 

[Weezy]

OMG - I am very glad I have read this as I have a NS waterford jumping bit that I SJ and will hunt my mare in - must say I am loathe to use it now as if something like that happened to my horse I am pretty sure she would lose total confidence forever

 

[Shipley]

Hmm a big worry was thinking of getting one please let us know how you get on. A pic of where it broke would be good too

 

[k9h]

Camera is defunked at the mo so shall get a pic on Tuesday night posted. I think for quick glance that it broke on the right side where the waterford meets the cheek piece/full cheek part if that makes sense!?
Am going to ring Heather at 11 on coffee breal time so shall let you know what is said!...
Fingers crossed I get replacement as only bit that works on him & don't want to have to pay for a replacement!

 

[ihatework]

How very scarey, I don't think I have seen a bit break while riding ever ... and now more than one report about faulty NS. One for me to steer clear of I think

 

[k9h]

Have just spoken to Heather & she is sending me an envelope to send it back in so that their lorriner (spl?) can have a look at it.
No mention of sending a replacement!
Watch this space!
She did say that she would ring me as soon as they have received it & had a look.

It's a first for me having a bit break! Had a rein go once out hunting & then used my belt. Thats why I like having 2 reins as always got a back up! Not when bit has gone though!

 

[LEC]

Friend had a NS bit snap doing xc, horse was out of control bolted through the string and dumped her. Both were a bit shocked.

 

[Stella]

Even if Heather does replace it though, I still don't think its satisfactory. I have heard of several Neue Schule bits snapping. The first one was about 3 years ago and was virtually new, so surely it can't be part of the recent recall. I have had several and haven't had that problem, but some of them have been poorly finished.

I have never heard of a Sprenger snapping and if they had done a single joint, I wouldn't own the 3 Neue Schules that I currantly own. I have now found a Sprenger Tornado online. This seems to be a single joint, if this is the case, I'll pay the extra in future for Spenger quality.

 

[k9h]

Well if anyone knows of a nelson gag with waterford mouth piece. I would be interested!
Shall see how he goes in the double tomorrow! Shall post pic tomorrow night aswell.
But like you say they seem to have too many snap. Do you think it is because of the softer warmer metal?

 

[Stella]

[ QUOTE ]
Well if anyone knows of a nelson gag with waterford mouth piece. I would be interested!
Shall see how he goes in the double tomorrow! Shall post pic tomorrow night aswell.
But like you say they seem to have too many snap. Do you think it is because of the softer warmer metal?

[/ QUOTE ] Its got to be something about how they are made, but there is obviously a way of producing softer, warmer mouth pieces that are safe. After all Sprenger did it first, they have been around for donkeys years as, as far as I know have never had a problem! Looking at the way some Neue Schule bits are finished, I just don't think they are very well made. They have a great range of mouthpieces and sides (and its that they makes them so popular I think - as you can always get what you need) and a nicer metel than cheaper bits, but quality just doesn't seem to be a priority. I have had several with chipping at the ends of the mouth piece - and I also had one that went rusty in that area despite NS assurances that they are rust proof! So many cases of snapping is the final straw for me!

 

[k9h]

It's actual they hard side metal that has gone!
Looks to have been gone for a while as very discoloured not shiny as if new broke only very small bit of it.
I can't believe it has twisted so much as I was a very light check that I took.
Anyhow here are the pics of it!

Nearly how it should look!

 

[Nickymac]

There's nothing quite like dicing with death, is there k9h?! I have a fear of fences with pumpkins on them and you have a fear of neueschule bits.....

 

[Halfstep]

OMG. That's seriously scary. You are really lucky that you and your horse are ok.

I ride in a NS bit every day, and am feeling a bit nervous. Did you get in touch with Heather, and what was the response?

 

[kerilli]

jeeez, i'll never trust one of them again. i have one, not used anyway, now for sale...

full cheek single-joint 5 1/4" if anyone really wants it..

 

[k9h]

I'll trade with you Nicky I'll have your pumkin fence if you have my bit!! Fair swap?!

Envelope from Heather not turned up today but maybe tomorrow.

Today he knew he had upper hand on me! Was quite hard & strong!

Shall wait & see!

 

[KatB]

That is scary, you are very lucky. That was the bit I was looking at getting for my boy, but been throoughly put off by that

Let us know the outcome please!

 

[k9h]

Shall keep you up dated. Is/was a fantastic bit (when in one piece)!
Was the only thing that worked for my lad & rode him mostly on the snaffle rein after he realised I had sussed him!

 

[Haniki]

That is shocking - glad you and horse are safe!

 

[CastleMouse]

OMFG... that's scary

You're very lucky that you and your horse are OK! I was going to try a Neue Schule bit on Ali and if the bit broke like that when I was riding him I'd be completely and utterly f*cked...

I definitely won't be trying a NS bit now...

 

[k9h]

I emailed them the pictures last night that I posted on here as the envelop hadn't arrived yet (may of come today).
Well just got a reply saying thankyou for the pics, we sent the envelope on Monday so have to let them know if not turned up by tomorrow.
That they looked forward to receiving the bit so that they could comment further.

So mean while I am left to hunt in not as much control! ...

 

[lucemoose]

When you said the bit had broken, I automatically assumed it would be the softer metal of the mouthpiece! Didnt think a cheek would break! God, Id fork out for the equiport one.

 

[k9h]

[ QUOTE ]
When you said the bit had broken, I automatically assumed it would be the softer metal of the mouthpiece! Didnt think a cheek would break! God, Id fork out for the equiport one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I thought had gone too but didn't have time to inspect it on the field!

Oooh do Equiport do a version of this??