Showing Connemara yearling colt, to bit or not to bit?

[ConnieCollector]

Hi all,

Just a question regarding showing my yearling colt in-hand. I have only ever shown older Connemara's, both under-saddle and in-hand but I bought a colt foal last October and I would love to show him in the summer. I am just wondering if it is required to bit him for showing. I will only be doing some local agri shows to get him out and about and take in the big world! He is impeccably behaved and I have been handling him since I got him, doing a session of in-hand training most days, nothing huge but just teaching him manners and to lead well and respect me and others. He now knows walk, trot, stop and back up all on voice cues alone! He is also a gentleman around other horses, even mares. He comes from incredible breeding and therefore I am hoping to keep him as a stallion if all goes well. I haven't tried bitting him and was just wondering if I would need to do so for shows? Or would a filly slip or leather headcollar suffice? Thank you in advance! (I'm in Ireland if that makes and difference!)

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Local unaffiliated shows may have their own rules so check in with the secretary.

Affiliated showing no you do not need to bit a yearling colt. A filly slip is perfectly acceptable. Most people do bit colts from May/June onwards but some don't. It only becomes compulsory to bit them from 2yo up.

 

[ConnieCollector]

Local unaffiliated shows may have their own rules so check in with the secretary.

Affiliated showing no you do not need to bit a yearling colt. A filly slip is perfectly acceptable. Most people do bit colts from May/June onwards but some don't. It only becomes compulsory to bit them from 2yo up.

Perfect thank you so much for the reply!

 

[Patterdale]

I’m in the same position and after much research it seems you just have to check with each show at this age. The BCPS shows don’t require yearling colts to be bitted.