The Neue Schule Turtle Top Eggbutt 7023E — What's Actually Going On Inside That Mouthpiece

At first glance, the Neue Schule Turtle Top Eggbutt looks like a premium eggbutt snaffle. And it is. But what sets it apart from every other eggbutt on the market is what is happening inside the mouthpiece — and once you understand it, you will see why it is our second most popular bit.

The Turtle Top design

The defining feature of this bit is its distinctive curved mouthpiece — the 'turtle top' shape. Rather than sitting flat across the tongue, the mouthpiece arches gently upward in the centre, creating a small but significant amount of tongue relief.

This matters because tongue pressure is one of the most common sources of discomfort and resistance in horses. A horse that leans, evades, or goes above the bit is very often reacting to tongue pressure — not disobedience, not poor training, but simple discomfort.

The Turtle Top's curved mouthpiece reduces that pressure at the point where it is most likely to cause problems, allowing the horse to relax into contact rather than brace against it.

Salox Gold — the material difference

Like all Neue Schule bits, the Turtle Top Eggbutt is made from Salox Gold — a proprietary alloy that is warmer and softer in the mouth than standard stainless steel. Horses salivate more readily with Salox Gold, which encourages a softer jaw and better acceptance of the bit.

The eggbutt cheek

The eggbutt cheek piece prevents the bit from sliding through the mouth and eliminates the pinching that can occur with loose ring snaffles. For horses that are sensitive at the corners of the mouth, or for younger horses still learning to accept the bit, the stability of an eggbutt is often preferable.

Who suits the Turtle Top Eggbutt?

This bit is particularly well suited to horses with low palates or thick tongues — the tongue relief is gentle but meaningful for horses whose anatomy makes them more sensitive to tongue pressure. It also works beautifully for horses that lean or hang on the rein, where reduced tongue pressure often results in a lighter, more responsive horse almost immediately.

Horses transitioning from a simpler snaffle often benefit from the Turtle Top's slightly more sophisticated action, and the clean, classic look of the eggbutt cheek is well received in the competition arena.

Sizing the Turtle Top Eggbutt

The Turtle Top Eggbutt 7023E is available in X-Small (4"–4.5"), Small (4.5"–5"), Medium (5"–5.5") and Large (5.5"–6") Extra Large (6"-6.5"). Our most popular sizes are Medium and Small — if you are unsure which to choose, our bitting consultation service can help you measure accurately.

The Turtle Top family

The Turtle Top design is also available as a loose ring snaffle, a bridoon for double bridle work, a Baucher, and a Hunter Dee — so once you find that your horse goes well in the Turtle Top mouthpiece, there are options for different disciplines and training needs.

The Neue Schule Turtle Top Eggbutt 7023E is available now at bitbankaustralia.com.au in all popular sizes.