Neue Schule Turtle Top Loose Ring (16mm/70mm)

Anatomy-inspired double jointed bit design with enhanced mouthpiece stability, through optimised alignment of the mouthpiece surfaces to the tongue and palate.

The Turtle Top™ link shape takes inspiration from the shell of the Box turtle. This flattened dome shaped link lowers palate pressure and prevents the cannons from being pushed upwards above the link by the horse’s tongue. The Neue Schule Flex design concept delivers a guaranteed and well controlled co-alignment of the surfaces of the mouthpiece with the 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 Neue Schule allow Flex to deliver some firm but fair additional pressure to the tongue and poll using a lever action-induced rotation of the mouthpiece. The extra pressure obtainable is carefully restricted with Flex, limiting the range of additional rotation to around 10 degrees.

FlexZ is a development of the popular Tranz range (hence the “Z”). Gently curved cannons form a wide arch aligned over the tongue and held in shape by Turtle Top™. FlexZ is therefore more securely centred on the tongue and more resistant to being pulled through the mouth.

The loose ring is Neue Schule's uncomplicated tried and trusted cheek. No matter what your rein tension the mouthpiece alignment to the mouth remains unchanged. The flattened underside of the FlexZ cannons with their anatomy-inspired recesses are held parallel to the tongue whatever riding activity you enjoy.

This innovation is brilliant for the over-active busy mouth that chomps and chews on the mouthpiece. Turtle Top™ with Flex keeps the mouthpiece centred and arched over the tongue at all times, safely helping to prevent sideways tongue evasions. This comfortable mouthpiece re-focuses the inattentive mouth back onto the rein aids in order to achieve a soft consistent contact.