Verbindend or turtle top?

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Notimetoride

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I had a GP dressage rider ride my Sec D yesterday and she said she's basically ignoring the bit. My mare is in a Team Up bit which she's perfectly happy in (though when she's getting stressy she does sometimes get her tongue over it). The Team Up was recommended by a biting specialist and I'm a little reluctant to change it. However the person who rode her yesterday has made me realise that my horse could be more responsive in a different bit and suggested the Verbindend or Turtle Top.
Anyone use these and how have you found them ?
 
What do you mean by ignoring the bit? Is she above the bit? Behind it? Not wanting to stop? Nose poking? Leaning? Pulling?
 
Not entirely sure as whatever she's doing I'm obviously used to it. I think she just wasn't responding quickly enough to the rein aid. Hence the suggestion of a different bit.
 
There's so many variables to think of - the team up does encourage a horse who is a little wary of the contact to take it forward.

It could well be a schooling issue rather than bitting.

If you don't know what is wrong then how will you monitor changes if / when you get a new bit?

You could try hiring a few different ones and noting any changes, I would probably go with a tranz angled lozenge first
 
I have my mare in a turtle top after having it on trial from the Bit Shop a few years back. She kept putting her tongue over bits when I was backing her and just seemed very unhappy with them. She has a tiny mouth for her size and they recommended the turtle top when I rang for advice.

She settled immediately in it which was a relief.

Might be worth asking to trial a couple of different bits and seeing how you get on??
 
There are two critturs involved with a response to a bit - the pony and the rider.
Did this rider discuss whether a change of bit would help you and your pony, or was it what she would choose if she was riding her everyday?

Have a think about what the pony is doing and what/if change of bit would help you as a partnership.
 
I've used a Verbindend with a couple of warmbloods and warmblood crosses which had quite fleshy tongues and it worked well for them. I used a Turle Top on two horses who were quite fussy in the contact and both liked it. I think perhaps hiring is the way forward and see what gives the best result.
 
I used the verbindend on a cob and he went quite well.
I tried the turtle top in my current horse (TBx) and he would stick his tongue out. Initially thought it was a schooling issue but the tongue was becoming more apparent. Swapped to transangled lozenge and within a few sessions he didn't stick his tongue out any more!
 
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