Pony Club and Bitless Bridles

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Selkie

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Having tried 6 differnt bits with my mare, who just crosses her jaw, even when standing with no pressure on the bit, I have given up and gone bitless. She is great will stand still not mess about will go straight in lessons. I would like her to go to pony club camp bitless. It will be a teenage girl taking her to camp and I am not sure about the rules. Just need to know if she can go bitless?
 
My friend took her horse to PC camp in a hackamore and they freaked! In the end she was allowed but they do know her very well and she had to beg lots! I would probably ask them nicely first and explain the situation.
 
Thanks. I just hate to see her crossing her jaw and looking unhappy. Teeth have been checked. She has pink lips and can get sore if not careful
 
so what bits have you tried??? mine crossed his jaw when hacking, he was awful bombing off, and generally being difficult. Pm me if you want and can tell you what I have tried.
 
snaffles, loose ring, happy mouth, french link, eggbut, full cheek and full cheek mylor. She went best in the Mylor and that is what she would go to camp in. But the side of her mouth was sore the last time she was ridden in it. The bitless bridle is a Dr Cooks
 
Don't think they are allowed. Was at area PC competition recently and they were def not allowed so would imagine that's across the board for Pony Club. Might have something on the PC website though.
 
Not allowed for pony club
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, they are really picky about bits , which I personally find a bit stupid , if the pony and rider are safe and in control then (I think) you should be allowed to use it
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not allowed any combination bits, mylers and bitless bridles. they are quite strict on what types can be used.

have you tried a mexican grackle?
 
Selkie, you have my sympathies.
I think the pony club wants to drag itself into the 21st century. I ride bitless too (dr Cooks) and my horse goes very well in it, but I'm not allowed to do dressage.
I recently did a dressage test (bitted) grumbling and cursing under my breath, but the break from the bit (about 4 months ) seemed to have done the horse good and she went ok in the bit (just a snaffle)
I have had the same problems you describe with the corners of the mouth getting sore in a bit. I too, have tried countless types and sizes of bits.
I find the Dr Cooks much easier.
Perhaps the pony club and British Dressage will change their rules at some point in the future.
 
Only me, could I just correct you slightly? Simple Myler bits are allowed, my daughter did area dressage in a full cheek MB02 no hooks (BD legal) last year, so what you wrote is not strictly true. Mind you, I had to scour the rules sheet to check it would be allowed and then the tack checker had a different permissible bits sheet to me, so I had to show her mine. It could have been a bit tricky...

I would agree though it's rather a minefield where bits and PC are concerned, and yet our branch seems to encourage dutch gags, which I personally think are quite harsh...

To OP, I would suggest the bitless bridle goes in the luggage for camp, if her mouth gets sore then at least your child has the option to keep riding, and I don't think the PC instructors could be so mean as to make her keep riding a horse with a sore mouth in a bit with the bitless bridle available.
 
thats ok, just our dc wont let anyone ride in a myler as they cause so much hassle over whether they are allowed or not
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my friend is only able to hold her horse in a myler combination bit for xc, and can use it in eventing ireland. she cant use it for pony club so has to use a gag - the horse is very strong and will be nearly uncontrollable/stoppable for the area eventing. what would be safer??
 
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