Please refer to our YouTube video or visit our sizing guide page.
The Team Up is an ergonomically re-designed version of the traditional French Link that has addressed all the inherent design flaws. For instance, the cannons are curved reducing the pressure over the tongue’s sensitive outer edges. The loops securing the lozenge are smaller and the centrally fixed rounded lozenge as opposed to the flat plate of the French Link ensures that the mouthpiece contours smoothly over the tongue. The most reported improvement from riders who have changed from the French Link to the Team Up is a better contact with no resistance in downward transitions, such as no head tossing.
The Verbindend design is legal for both BD and FEI dressage. However, the required mouthpiece diameters for different classes need to be checked to ensure legality.
As a general guide we would recommend that you would go up a 1/4″ when you change from a fixed cheek to a loose ring, this is to accommodate the hole for the rings and reduce any chance of rubbing.
The arrow on the end of the mouthpiece when in situ should be on the horse’s near side facing forwards. For instance, if you are sat on the horse it should be on your left hand side. This is to ensure that when fitted the mouthpiece/angled lozenge operates as intended. These are on our NS Tranz Angled Lozenge and Verbindend mouthpieces.
Neue Schule has scientifically researched the poll pressure effects produced using different ring sizes and cheek types and found there was no measurable difference in function between our larger (70mm) or smaller (55mm) diameter loose rings. A larger ring is often employed as a snaffle and the smaller ring is often used as a Bridoon. However, owners of ponies or horses with a smaller head may wish to use the smaller ring for aesthetic purposes as this tends to look more in proportion. The larger ring is also less likely to pull through the horse’s mouth than a smaller ring but may interfere with the noseband or rub the underside of the cheek bone.
Please refer to our Poll Pressure Guide for more information.
The NS dressage legal range includes:
- The Starter Loose Ring.
- The Team Up Loose Ring.
- The Tranz Angled Lozenge Loose Ring, Eggbutt, D-Ring, Hunter-D, Baucher and Full Cheek.
- The Verbindend Loose Ring and Hunter-D.
- The Demi-Anky Loose Ring and Hunter-D.
- The Pony Tranz Angled Lozenge Loose Ring, Baucher, Eggbutt, Full Cheek.
- The Pony Verbindend Loose Ring.
- The Turtle Top™ with Flex™ Loose Ring, Eggbutt, Hunter-D, Baucher and Full Cheek.
- The Turtle Tactio™ with Flex™ Loose Ring, Eggbutt, Hunter-D, Baucher and Full Cheek.
It is important that you check the minimum bit diameter requirements for your Dressage class as many of these bits are produced in different mouthpiece thicknesses.
This metal alloy is unique to Neue Schule and was scientifically developed specifically for use as a horse bit to encourage relaxed acceptance of the bit. Salox Gold possesses three special qualities:
- It reaches mouth temperature quickly.
- It is comparatively soft and therefore kinder to tooth enamel.
- It has low bioactivity and doesn’t leech ions and therefore doesn’t smell or taste.
All of these advantages help to promote a relaxed acceptance and a quiet mouth, helping the horse to concentrate on the aids.
The dressage legal Weymouths include:
- The Slimma Weymouth
- The Warmblood Weymouth
- The Lightweight Mors L’Hotte Weymouth
- The Thoroughbred Weymouth
- The Transform Weymouth
- The Aachen Weymouth
- The Starter Weymouth
- The Pacifier Weymouth
Our Weymouth Shanks range between 5cm and 9cm, dependent on the design. None of these shank lengths are above the 10cm maximum shank length requirement as set by the FEI. Our Weymouth mouthpieces are all 12mm or above, as set by the FEI rulebook (2019).
The fixed cheeks on bits such as the Eggbutt or full cheek snaffles can offer a more stable feel for the horse and encourage them to take a more consistent contact, taking the rein forwards and down and offering directional control. The loose rings discourage horses that are likely to fix and block through the rein and gives the rider the option to gently vibrate the horse off the rein should there be the need.
The Weymouth is a fixed cheek bit so should the Bridoon be a loose ring we would suggest going up a ¼ “. However, if your Bridoon is a fixed cheek (such as an Eggbutt) then it will be the same size as your Weymouth.
Neue Schule has scientifically researched the difference between ring sizes and found there is no mechanical advantage between choosing a smaller or larger ring for your Bridoon. One consideration would be the size of your horse’s head. A smaller ring is probably preferable on a petite head as a larger ring would look out of place and may cause rubbing on the underside of the cheekbone or interference with the noseband. However, if the horse has the head to take it a larger ring it is acceptable to use the larger ring as a Bridoon. The larger ring is also less likely to pull through the horse’s mouth. The maximum internal diameter of the Bridoon ring has been set at 80mm by the FEI, and the Neue Schule Bridoon Bridoons are available in 55mm and 70mm ring.
Computer Aided Design technology has made it possible for Neue Schule to be much more innovative when creating new mouthpieces and cheeks. This new state-of-the-art technology now allows our design team to precisely and proportionally reproduce the required ergonomic shapes and details in any mouthpiece size. It enables us to match design to equine mouth conformation; profiling and engineering critical design features to fit comfortably within the tight parameters and sensitive areas of the mouth. This utilises the connection points necessary in order to promote effective communication through the rein between rider and horse.
Yes, please fill in our online bitting questionnaire that can be found here.
Please ensure that you include your phone number and we will be able to offer advice either via email or over the phone. You can also email photos and videos over to us. Alternatively, we also give advice at our many events that we attend, and our events calendar can be found here.
If you are looking for some hands-on bit fitting consultations then we would advise you contact one of our LANTRA Certified, Neue Schule Qualified Bit and Bridle Fitters. Their catchment area and contact details can be found here.
The curb chain should always lay flat in the chin groove and should be adjusted so that the cheeks below the mouthpiece do not rotate backwards at more than 45° in alignment with the horse’s lips when closed. This advice applies to Weymouths and Pelhams.
I always recommend that you at least start off with a curb sleeve in order to soften the action of the curb chain in the chin groove. The chin groove is a very sensitive, bony area. Once the doubles are established the continued use of the sleeve would hinge on the horse’s way of going.
The addition of the leather curb strap reinforces what the rider is asking for. It is often used to promote a better outline, enhance turning and help with downward transitions. The leather curb strap also reduces the maximum amount of poll pressure that can be exerted on the horse by restricting how far back the rein attachment can be pulled.
Please refer to our YouTube video which demonstrates fitting the curb strap. These are designed for use with our Universal and Jumper cheeks.
Please refer to our YouTube video which demonstrates fitting the rope running gag cheeks. These are suitable for use with our Cheltenham, Balding and Nelson gags.
Please refer to our YouTube video which demonstrates fitting the leather running gag cheeks. These are suitable for use with our Cheltenham, Balding and Nelson gags.
The lip strap is most commonly used in conjunction with the Weymouth or Pelham. It is often used for horses that have a long smile, and therefore have difficulty keeping the curb chain in the chin groove.
Please refer to our YouTube video which demonstrates fitting the lip strap on a Weymouth.
Please refer to our YouTube video which demonstrates fitting Pelham Roundings. These are suitable for use with our Pelhams, Universals and Jumpers.
If your headpiece is well cushioned on the bridle, and many are nowadays, this negates the need. However, if not and you are employing the poll with a loose or fixed lever action design of bit then it is beneficial to change to an ergonomic headpiece that is cut away from the ears and offers a greater degree of pressure distribution. The poll is a very sensitive area and poll sensitivity may not manifest itself straight away when the bit has been changed, so you may not make the association with subsequent evasions such as head tossing or head shaking.
Neue Schule experts have resolved this problem by experimenting with different designs of curb hooks. One design to try would be the quick links, which are small carabiners and generally eradicate this problem.
Research conducted by Neue Schule has found that Fulmer Keepers do not affect the working angle and how the bit lies in the horse’s mouth. Therefore, Fulmer Keepers can be used with a Full Cheek bit without affecting the working angle or changing the action of the bit.
Neue Schule frequently come out to give talks and demonstrations to a range of riders and equestrians. If you want to find out where we will be next, please visit our events calendar
If you are looking for a Bit and Bridle Fitting consultation then we would advise you contact one of our LANTA Certified, Neue Schule Qualified Bit and Bridle Fitters. Their catchment area and contact details can be found here.
Neue Schule have conducted extensive research on bit designs and subsequent poll pressure caused. Our research can be found in here, and each of our bits has a value between -1 (a poll relieving effect) and +4 (40% of rein forces act on the poll). To find out more please click here [link to Poll Pressure page]. It is possible to offset some of this poll pressure using wider, ergonomically designed headpieces that have a larger weight bearing surface that distributes some of this pressure over a wider area.