Full Cheek Snaffles

AMW

AMW

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 January 2008
Messages
749
Location
Aberdeenshire
Visit site
Do judges in novice showing and intro dressage view them like L plates and mark as a baby if you see what I mean. My baby pony goes sweetly in hers but not sure if she would better in a loose ring when the time comes for competing. It's a while since I've ridden competitively, didn't have intros way back then lol
 
They might judge in novice showing but they will not in dressage.
After trying various bits in my horse, I've accepted that he is happiest in his full cheek french link snaffle, which he had when he was 4/5. He is now 10 and still in the full cheek! :p

He has done 1* and elem dressage in it, with no one ever judging. Big pro event yard near me has basically all their horses in a straight bar mullen/rubber full cheek snaffle, from intro eventing right up to 2* and possibly 3!
 
As far as dressage goes, so long as your horse is in dressage legal tack, the judge won't care two hoots what your horse wears - it is the way of going that they are interested in. It is up to YOU though to pick the bit/tack that will optimise the performance of your horse, so may be you need to experiment a bit at home.
 
We compete at elementary with a full cheek and never had a comment or felt penalised for it in marks.

I also have a neckstrap on everything at all times! And if they aren't allowed, I used a breastplate instead, regardless of how safe my horse is. Again, never been penalised to my knowledge.
 
AMW said:
Do judges in novice showing and intro dressage view them like L plates and mark as a baby if you see what I mean. My baby pony goes sweetly in hers but not sure if she would better in a loose ring when the time comes for competing. It's a while since I've ridden competitively, didn't have intros way back then lol
Click to expand...

No, not at all. This horse was 16 when this picture was taken and competing medium. He went to regionals at elem in the bridle you see here. I love fulmer's so many will go kindly in them, both my young horses are in them now and were mouthed/ ridden away in them.

001-3.jpg
 
thank you for your replies. I will stick with what shes happy in for now, shes coming on well so I don't want to upset her by changing what isn't broke :)
 
Another life long Fulmer fan here, never had a comment about my bit from any dressage judge.

For showing you could use the same mouthpiece in a Hanging cheek snaffle. You get the same actio within the mouth as the Fulmer, and it looks tidier. Can also be used with a plain cavesson noseband which should not be used with a Fulmer
 
I use a fulmer on my 7 year old - we do in-hand work including all lateral work so it's helpful for that and then I could never be bothered to change bits or bridle for riding so just have always used the fulmer for ridden work too
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top