A Modern Twist
The marriage of the full cheek and loose ring results in both amplified directional aids, and increased feel and response, as unlike traditional full cheeks that may cause the horse to block and prove wooden, subtle aids are not lost through the rein.
Popular with the young horse starting out as the full cheek will help with straightness and turning, whilst the loose ring action will promote balance and self-carriage.
Also, recommended for the novice rider as the full cheek will stabilise the mouthpiece and prevent it moving across the mouth, especially when changing rein. This means it’s highly beneficial for horses that are sensitive and may be prone to lip trauma.
Over sensitive horses often block the hand, and the addition of the loose ring allows the rider with subtle vibration to interrupt this habit, whilst the very gentle Turtle Top encourages the horse to refocus and relax, settling into a soft, sustainable contact.
Please be aware that although every effort has been made to blunt the tips of the full cheek, accidents can still happen- especially with horses that like to rub their head on young children and unsuspecting adults! Therefore, we recommend that caution be taken with horses in a Full Cheek when being handled from the ground and ridden.
The Turtle Top mouthpiece is recommended for tongue sensitivity, and is one of the few, very mild mouthpieces that enhances the feel and response through the rein. Highly recommended for those horses who are ‘wooden’ to the rein aids.
Encourages the horse to lengthen, and stretch into the contact, taking the bit forwards confidently.
Helps the horse to soften through the jaw, quietening the tense, busy mouth. Often beneficial for those horses with a tense neck or large tongue.
The Turtle Top mouthpiece creates a bridge, arching gently around the tongue, ensuring stability within the mouth, and reinforcing the rein aids for directional control. It forms a broad, smooth profile down onto the tongue, offering the comfort of a fat bit, whilst taking up very little room between the tongue and palate (roof of the mouth). Recent research has shown that there is not as much space in the mouth as previously thought.
Remains further back in the mouth, discouraging tongue evasions and negating the need to over tighten the cheek pieces to combat this. Not only does this mask the rein aids, but the increased pressure in the corner of the lips (commissure) is uncomfortable for the horse and is likely to cause rubs. This position in the mouth also benefits those horses with a short smile (short distance from the corner of the lips to the muzzle).
Available in sizes: S (118-128mm), M (128-138mm), L (138-148mm)