"Bit" of a rant

abi31

abi31

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Who was it that decided which bits were or weren't acceptable in horse classes? I may be slightly prejudiced as I would love to do working hunter but was told I could ony do it in a snaffle, pelham or double. Is this really true? Admittedly, I haven't seen anyone in any other combo.

However, when on the hunting field there is such a massive array of bits that surely this is a little unfair to limit people in the classes? My mare competes in dressage in a snaffle, it took time and patience but she has a lovely soft mouth and way of working in it.

When we jump/hunt, however, we need something stronger and I tried a whole variety of different bits from Pelhams to more recently Tom Thumbs, but she goes brilliantly in a 2-ring gag with a french link. She's happy, I'm happy.

Does anyone else get cross or frustrated with bitting restrictions? Apologies if it is only me, but I really don't want to put a pelham and curb on my horse when she absolutely hates it; whilst still wanting more control than a snaffle can give me.

Sorry... rant over. Feel a bit better now (pardon the unintentional pun). Do correct me if I'm wrong about legal bits in WH, I would love to be wrong.xxx
 
There is no good reason for many show classes bitting rules other than the dread word, tradition. As if the horse cares about tradition. Because of tradition & the die hards who back it thinking it looks right (because they are used to the look, same as the cavesson noseband they say gives a finished look but does nothing). It was traditional to chop horses tails off not that long ago but that didn't mean it was right. Sorry, a bit of a rant from me too.
 
I'm pretty sure that you can wear that bit in the jumping section at least, but then change to a snaffle for the flat part, could be wrong tho, but I think there is actually quite a range you can use on WH classes, just not so much range in flat classes?
 
In affiliated workers you can use pretty much any bitting combination that you like apart from (I am sure this is still the case) a bitless bridle.

No idea who told you that you could only use a pelham or a double as they were wrong. If in doubt, rather than listen to dodgy internet advice, it would seem sensible to approach the society whose rules you will be riding under. In this case the SHB (GB).
 
B***** tradition, I'd much rather have a happy horse. Rant away, perhaps someone will finally take notice. I know our riding club has fun days where there are no tack restrictions, my problem comes when we have bigger events or venture into the big wide world.

Lol, just had a really funny vision of someone horse hunting for any type, age, breed or height but must fit BHS bitting requirements!
 
JumpinBeckeyJane said:
I'm pretty sure that you can wear that bit in the jumping section at least, but then change to a snaffle for the flat part, could be wrong tho, but I think there is actually quite a range you can use on WH classes, just not so much range in flat classes?
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NOOOOO!!!! You are NOT allowed to change tack between phases for the workers. You will be eliminated! You can wear front boots for the jumping section which MUST be removed, but no other change of tack for the horse at all.
 
Thanks jumping becky and FMM that's really interesting to know, it was a very snobby lady who judged at a charity show who told me we would have been placed higher if we had used the correct bit! I was really embarrassed as she then made an example of us in order to lecture the other competitors and the public.

I would much rather be proved wrong as this would be great news. Is there an email or website I could go to to check the actual rules and whether I can change the bit between sections??
 
Just read your update FMM. Ok, no change of tack, just booties off but my 2 ring gag with french link is legal. :confused:
 
Yup - that bit should be fine.

http://www.sporthorsegb.co.uk/

This is the society that runs worker classes so give them a shout and they can clarify all the rules for bitting etc. We have done workers in a dutch gag without a problem in the past. Just look at some of the pictures from the county shows and you will see the variety of bits that everyone uses.

the problem with unaffiliated and local shows is that the judges are often unaware of the rules for the classes they are judging - just a risk you have to take!!!
 
Ok don't change the bit then, did say I wasn't sure, but did think that you could basically wear anything.
Some local and charity shows I've very laid back judges and nearly let you wear any bit, in shows an may just mark you down, would say I know more like that, than what the OP describes, as in they wouldn't make a major issue of it, if that makes sense? Suppose it just depends.
 
FMM said:
the problem with unaffiliated and local shows is that the judges are often unaware of the rules for the classes they are judging - just a risk you have to take!!!
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the problem with unaffiliated judges is that they are often daft as brushes and don't know what they're talking about. (I believe due to the fact they have to judge a variety of classes, outwith their area of real expertise).

I can understand restricting tack in classes like riding club horse (whose tack should be appropriate to do local dressage etc) or family horse (I don't think a double would be appropriate for a novice child to ride in). But in classes like WH, where tack should be appropriate for the hunting field, why restrict within those boundaries?

I'm glad that judge seems to be wrong though (according to the resident expert above - always useful on here :) ).
 
FMM said:
NOOOOO!!!! You are NOT allowed to change tack between phases for the workers. You will be eliminated! You can wear front boots for the jumping section which MUST be removed, but no other change of tack for the horse at all.
Click to expand...

Thats interesting. At a pc show this weekend, the judge made everyone take martingales off for the showing sections - despite most mum's saying that they should be left on. Thats the trouble with local shows that don't use proper judges nowadays.
 
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