Neue Schule Bits
After seeing for herself the difficulties faced when finding the right bit, the founder of Neue Schule®, Heather Hyde, started one of the UK’s first bit rental companies in the late 1990s.
Fitting a ‘new school’ of thinking, Neue Schule® embodies elegance and performance through the sophisticated design, accommodating profiles, and cutting-edge materials found in their bits.
Decades of insight into the dynamics of communication between horse and rider have provided the foundations for developing the principles Neue Schule® works by when producing their bits: “All of our bits are the product of in-depth research and development from strength testing and chemical analysis to product trials and evaluation. Our well known NS Salox Gold material and refined designs are testament to this.”
Here are three principles Neue Schule® are mindful of during the development of every bit:
* Warmth – For the horse, ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ sensations depend on the rate at which heat energy is transferred from, or to, an object with which they are in contact.
* Softness – There is a possibility that many horses will experience variable degrees of contact between their teeth and the bit.
* Bioactivity – Provided a bit is comfortable, there should be nothing about the bit that distracts a horse from their rider’s aids.
Neue Schule® discovered that metal ions in contact with epithelial cells (cells that serve as a barrier to protect from viruses) cause a volatile reaction that affects a horse’s sense of smell and taste. Stainless steel illustrates how such stimulants can be suppressed, through an insoluble protective layer of chromium dioxide on the surface that locks in alloy metals whose oxides would otherwise be bio-available and affect a horse’s sense of taste. Neue Schule® adds aluminium to the mouthpiece of bits because aluminium doesn’t produce volatile compounds.
Some of the bestselling Neue Schule® bits that are available from Discount Equestrian include:
Neue Schule® Tranz Angled Lozenge Universal – “The NS Tranz Universal offers control without discomfort or severity. It is brilliant for faster work, such as jumping, as it supports your horse to turn more easily. The Universal also helps to eliminate the head toss when asking for a downward transition or shortening between fences. If you need to upgrade from a snaffle, this bit is highly recommended as it offers varying degrees of control. Also, this bit has proven to be an excellent training tool, prior to introducing the double bridle, for employing two reins and a curb strap.”
Neue Schule® Starter Loose Ring – “Make their first experience positive by giving them the right start through establishing the basics. The Starter is designed for young or inexperienced horses, to promote acceptance and confidence in the contact. It is a common misconception that mouthing should be encouraged, when, in fact, it is quiet, relaxed acceptance we are aiming for. A gentle bit that encourages your horse to stretch their top-line forwards and down into a soft, consistent contact is essential during their initial training or re-training.”
Neue Schule® Turtle Top™ – “The Neue Schule Flex design concept delivers a guaranteed, controlled co-alignment of the surfaces of the mouthpiece with sensitive surfaces of the equine mouth. For most designs, Flex delivers parallel co-alignment of the Turtle Top™ dome with the equine palate. In selected designs, Flex delivers some firm but fair additional pressure to the tongue and poll, using a lever action induced by rotation of the mouthpiece. This extra pressure is carefully restricted, with Flex limiting the range of additional rotation to around 10 degrees. The Flex Balding Cheek offers consistent rein aids on the poll that provide control and encourage lift, which is particularly helpful for horses who tend to lean on the bit.”
For further advice about any Neue Schule® product, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Discount Equestrian team – we’re always happy to help!
