Dressage Legal Tack?

sasquatch

sasquatch

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So, I'm a complete dressage unknown, and have 2 wee questions.

I have 2 sharers who have had my boy since September, they've done really well with him and have both asked me about competing. My yard runs lots of small level shows and leagues, and I've said if they want to do the dressage with him thats fine.

From what I'm aware, tack and turnout must all be dressage legal. I don't have a dressage saddle, but have a GP so I believe that would be fine. I also have a plain white numnah so I know that bit is fine.

Sharers both have show jackets (black or navy I think they said - they got them for christmas!) and white jods, and I have a black jacket I could also lend if needed.

My horse is currently in a Dutch gag and a grackle. He is a LW cob and can be a bit of a tank, and at first was running laps with both sharers, although now they are more used to each other and B has calmed down, my sharers are currently seeing how he goes on the big ring of the gag (so it's similar to a hanging cheek).

I know Dutch gags and grackles aren't legal, so I'm wondering what I could use instead. He does have a full cheek french-link snaffle (although he leans on it) and a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge. I also have a flash noseband I've used with him in the past, which I *think* is legal.

Would the Dutch gag on the big ring be legal, or is the bit outright not allowed regardless of the settings its on? (I have no idea with how the rules work - I have never done any dressage before!)

I also don't like him to go without his overreach boots, I take it tendon/brushing boots wouldn't be allowed either?

before anyone says he is in a very strong noseband/bit combination, I am well aware and it's not a permanent thing, and me and sharers are playing it by ear to change him into something softer :)

second question is also about turnout, he's a LW cob but has no feather as it was clipped off, but his mane is shoulder-length, long and really is a double mane. How would you plait this, as rosebuds end up far too thick even when plaited into tiny plaits and rolled up!

does the turnout with white numnah/black showjacket/white jods etc. sound about right?

it's only local level, and I think they're only doing walk/trot tests but it is following proper dressage rules.
 
I've been looking at bits for my mare to compete in, and from what I understand it is the whole bit that is not allowed (I.e. Doesn't matter what ring). The bit bank may be able to help?
Noseband - is it worth trying a drop? Personally, I think kinder than a flash.
Mane - a running plait looks smart and copes with a long thick mane.
 
Grackles are legal in dressage Ireland/NI dressage & in eventing Ireland.

I compete in a grackle as although he doesn't need it he finds it more comfortable :)

If you don't want to use the grackle you could always fit the flash higher up so works similar to the grackle :)
 
download bd rule book from website ... have a look at pages 88 / 89 and this lists "legal" bits

at work so sorry if reply is a little abrupt!
 
tiggipop said:
download bd rule book from website ... have a look at pages 88 / 89 and this lists "legal" bits

at work so sorry if reply is a little abrupt!
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OP is in Northern Ireland so will be competing under dressage Ireland rules so Grackles are allowed :)

OP you won't be allowed to do dressage in boots or with the 3 ring, you could try a thin French link type snaffle, a thinner bit is usually harsher so might give you more control :)
 
Your boy sounds similar to mine in the tank stakes and I too ride him in a Dutch gag for exciting stuff. I do dressage on him in a hanging cheek as I think this is the most similar to the gag and it suits him as it helps to stop him poking his nose out, which is his favourite pose. His is a mullen mouth one as he hates any sort of jointed bit but I'd stick with whatever (dressage legal) mouthpiece he's happy in. Noseband wise I'd try just a normal cavesson and see how he goes. I'd rather see him open his mouth now and again than constantly fighting a flash, which is what mine does and most others I've seen wearing them too. If that's not a success you could add a flash or a drop would be another option.

Another (albeit expensive) option could be a Micklem bridle? I've read that horses who go well in grackles often like the Micklem, although don't have experience of it myself.

Boots are a no go although you can warm up in them and whip them off at the last minute. I never do as it's far to easy to forget and get yourself eliminated!

ETA - Turnout will be fine. Don't worry about not having a dressage saddle. I've only just got a dressage saddle after 6 or 7 years of doing dressage. I was always in the minority in my GP but no judge ever mentioned it.
 
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A hanging cheek snaffle is basically the same as the big ring of a dutch gag so that should work well. Turnout sounds fine, a running plait would work if mane is long and thick
 
Dutch gag definitely not legal, regardless of the setting - even on big ring there is some poll pressure, which is the 'not allowed' aspect.

Overreach boots not legal either - nothing on the legs I'm afraid!

If it's a walk/trot local level, just use whatever bit/noseband you have lying around that fits him :)
 
xgemmax said:
A hanging cheek snaffle is basically the same as the big ring of a dutch gag so that should work well.
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No, it's not. The hanging cheek is a fixed ring bit, the dutch gag is a loose ring. Therefore, the 'stillness' of the bit in the mouth is different. Hanging cheek do not exert poll pressure, which the gag does.
If the OP's horse leans, I would recommend the loose ring bit she mentioned having.
 
xgemmax said:
A hanging cheek snaffle is basically the same as the big ring of a dutch gag so that should work well...
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I would disagree with this point, due to the bit ring being loose on the dutch gag it will still have slight poll pressure, whereas the hanging cheek has to the opposite effect with removing all poll pressure.

Have a play with different bits and see what works. We use the dutch gag with Topaz when doing fast work, or when she is likely to become daft, but have found the Myler comfort snaffle (ebay bargin) her best bit for dressage.

x x
 
Thank you all!

I don't normally do dressage, but sharers have asked if they could for a bit of fun. I don't know if they'll want to keep it up so don't want to buy tack especially as I probably won't do very much dressage with him.

I wasn't aware that grackles were allowed under dressage Ireland rules, so that does make life much easier! would the fact the tests are (I think) BD tests matter as well?

Good to know turnout should be fine minus boots and his mane in a running plait. If we can't it into a tight spanish-type plait at the top of his neck would a neat running plait that wasn't as high on his neck (obviously not hanging round his shoulders!) do instead?
his mane is a nightmare to plait, even in a running plait sometimes as it's so thick. it's a double mane, but due to the length and weight in it sits to either or both sides. And also what should be done with his forelock? It's long enough it could be plaited into his mane, but it's also thick and slightly shorter than the rest of his mane.

I will try him in his loose ring snaffle I think. It does have a lozenge for the middle joint, so I hope this is legal (if not, I'm a bit stuck I think hehe) but it stops him leaning. I know the gag on big ring is different to the hanging cheek but similar, however don't own a hanging cheek and I'm not sure I could get one here in time and thanks for clearing it up that it is the bit, not function! I wasn't sure :)
 
sasquatch said:
Thank you all!

I don't normally do dressage, but sharers have asked if they could for a bit of fun. I don't know if they'll want to keep it up so don't want to buy tack especially as I probably won't do very much dressage with him.

I wasn't aware that grackles were allowed under dressage Ireland rules, so that does make life much easier! would the fact the tests are (I think) BD tests matter as well?

Good to know turnout should be fine minus boots and his mane in a running plait. If we can't it into a tight spanish-type plait at the top of his neck would a neat running plait that wasn't as high on his neck (obviously not hanging round his shoulders!) do instead?
his mane is a nightmare to plait, even in a running plait sometimes as it's so thick. it's a double mane, but due to the length and weight in it sits to either or both sides. And also what should be done with his forelock? It's long enough it could be plaited into his mane, but it's also thick and slightly shorter than the rest of his mane.

I will try him in his loose ring snaffle I think. It does have a lozenge for the middle joint, so I hope this is legal (if not, I'm a bit stuck I think hehe) but it stops him leaning. I know the gag on big ring is different to the hanging cheek but similar, however don't own a hanging cheek and I'm not sure I could get one here in time and thanks for clearing it up that it is the bit, not function! I wasn't sure :)
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I would ask what rules the show is running under with regards the grackle no grackle, makes it less stressful if they give you a definitive answer!

Plaiting wise, *whispers* you don't actually need to plait, but for neatness and not getting bits of mane caught in the reins, a running plait further down should be fine, or just plait it on both sides? Forelock I would plait seperately, so a french plait and then rolled up, if you are plaiting the rest of the mane.

Lozenge is legal :), but the BD rule book is available online if you want to double check.

x x
 
You know, i wouldn't bother to plait for a UA walk and trot test, just make the horse look clean and presentable and go and enjoy it. If your sharers want to plait, then all well and good but if you are not used to it it can take ages and end up looking a bit of a mess anyway. You don't even need to use a white saddle pad, any dark colour without logos is fine even for BD. I have a tobiano and he looks hideous in white so use either dark brown or navy. I hope you all have a lovely time and get the bug, even if you don't flatwork is great at improving any horse for any discipline, even hacking.
 
Damnation said:
I wouldn't worry about plaiting to be honest!

Black or white jacket, creame or white jodphurs, a white numnah is fine.

Bit has to be specifically classed as a snaffle in order to be BD legal. I have pasted below the BD tack rules, which has a section on Bits that are legal :)

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/uploads/File/Rules 2014/BD Rule Book 2014 for Web Download.pdf
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The loose ring he has is identical to the 2(b) bit so I'm assuming that should be ok :)

He's dark bay, so white looks great on him anyway :D

I think my sharers want to plait him so will let them get on with it, it also would probably help if it's out of the way as they won't be untangling reins from it and hands wouldn't end up looking as messy, it's hosted at my yard but I'm not sure if YO or another riding club is running it so will try and get in contact and ask them!

Thank you all for your help, it's much appreciated!
 
Sorry to hijack thread but my baby is doing his first Intro on Sunday, am I correct in thinking I can't have his martingale on? I only put it on it as something to grab when he spins and takes off in the dark so don't really need it as a "gadget".
 
No martingale but you are allowed a neck strap or breastplate I think, just nothing that attaches to the reins or noseband.

x x
 
AlexHyde said:
No martingale but you are allowed a neck strap or breastplate I think, just nothing that attaches to the reins or noseband.

x x
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mine has that much mane no martingale is needed! I have seen horses compete in dressage with a breastplate though, so imagine that's fine.

I rode him in his grackle and his loose ring, he doesn't work 'round' as he does in the gag, and is heavier on your hand, but that said he also was more preoccupied with the horse boxes and ponies arriving for the jumping league and did work nicely through his back in his walk (I can always tell because it feels like he is bumping you out of the saddle with his hind end when he's nicely engaged) and did get a few nice trots where he was starting to work through his back, but the 'round' head and neck isn't there yet. He needs a lot more work on his left bend first.

The canter was amazing, for him anyway. Less of a shuffle feel, more of a 'bounce' on both reins, although he did shuffle a bit on his left as he got tired.

So I'm optimistic about dressage on sunday as long as sharers can enter ok and find their tests :D
 
Brilliant, glad he's going well :), the martingale comment was for another poster above.

The dutch gag makes Topaz back off the contact so she also feels very light and round in it, sounds like a good schooling session though on the whole. I hope your sharers have fun at the comp!

x x
 
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