Showing... does anyone else think it's a bit rediculous (bits)

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OK, so I konw we have a lot of discussions on here about extra gadgets/strong bits/wearing stuff cos it's trendy and all the rest.

Well I've never heard anyone mention showing!! I think it is the biggest example of wearing a piece of tackle for the sake of it - i.e. a double bridle!

Fair enough for top level showing and with riders who know what they are doing.... but I'm thinking local level Workers and people sticking a double/pelham on just for the sake of what they look like - seems crazy to me??
 
Agree it is a bit odd isn't it? My main gripe is more about spurs - some classes you're MEANT to wear them (even if your horse doesnt need them) and in others they arent allowed at all.
 
cant see the problem personally..

i ride my cob in either a Double or a Sam Marsh...with Spurs
 
Agreed!

Well said.

The use of gadgets/bits because thats what the showjumpers use/it is the fashion is not in the interests of the horse and is stupidity.
 
Some of the rules drive me mad!! What particularly drives me mad is the hunter classes where they're expected to come out in double bridles under saddle as four year olds. Think a 'stepping stone' class from the in hand stuff to under saddle should be started!!
 
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Agreed!

Well said.

The use of gadgets/bits because thats what the showjumpers use/it is the fashion is not in the interests of the horse and is stupidity.

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Agree but how do we know that the horse we are looking at doesn't actually need it all?

And actually, what business is it of ours what other people do with their horses - so long as they are going happily I don't see the issue.
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Thats great - I have nothing against double bridles or spurs!

But I think you'll agree that a double is not suitable for every horse and rider... it certainly wouldn't be for me and my horse. Thats not because I'm anti gadget or anything, just because it wouldn't!!

I think it's more for workers that it confuses me. Top end level peeps seem to out their horses in whatever suits, but at all our local level stuff they all stick them in a double/pelhem (for the day!) and then wonder why they don't get round very well!
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Agree it is a bit odd isn't it? My main gripe is more about spurs - some classes you're MEANT to wear them (even if your horse doesnt need them) and in others they arent allowed at all.

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It's quite easy to get dummy spurs that are just a bar with no rowel/point and I use them, wearing one in my sig. Reason being if you're showing, and a lot of it is about appearance, a long leather boot looks 'undressed' without a spur.
 
gadgets are designed for a quick fix without putting in the time or training to do it properly or to find out what a cause of a problem is.
 
i agree...i'm far too lazy to endlessly school my cob....

i chuck a double or the sam marsh on and its easy!!!
 
I think the major difference is the experience of the hand on the rein.
I don't have anything against whips, spurs, pelhams doubles or whatever, but I will agree that it's daft to stick a horse in one for a show just to look "correct"
(although I will admit to having done just that years and years and years ago....<drone,drone> )
 
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gadgets are designed for a quick fix without putting in the time or training to do it properly or to find out what a cause of a problem is.

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I'm afraid I do disagree with this. I think that people all to readily reach for them yes, but for some horses they can be necessary and used properly are not always 'quick fixes'
 
I dont have double bridle for working hunter, I have and always will wear snaffle bridle in my working hunter, I wear double in my ridden hunter class, and I know how to ride in it.
Not having a dig just saying I wont wear something that my horse does not go well in.
 
I rode Bear in a snaffle in our 1st ridden show last summer but he was too strong for me. I wear a pelham as its either a snaffle/pelham or double, I think you should be allowed to use what ever you're horse is happy in. Bear wears a snaffle for everything but hunting and showing.
 
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gadgets are designed for a quick fix without putting in the time or training to do it properly or to find out what a cause of a problem is.

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Humm, so should every horse go sweetly in a snaffle, caverson and no martingale for every discipline - sorry but I don't think so!
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gadgets are designed for a quick fix without putting in the time or training to do it properly or to find out what a cause of a problem is.

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Humm, so should every horse go sweetly in a snaffle, caverson and no martingale for every discipline - sorry but I don't think so!
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If only.......
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I did a class today, and to show Blue i have to have him in a pelham which is a little annoying for me because he goes fine in a snaffle!
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JM07 - PMSL!

I was told at a showing clinic to put a pelham and double reins on because two reins is correct attire. We were also told how most types of "normal" bits are available in a pelham style, and how to adjust it all so that you can use it like your normal bit but still look the part.

Showing is all about how the overall picture comes together - if you don't like it, why show?
 
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I did a class today, and to show Blue i have to have him in a pelham which is a little annoying for me because he goes fine in a snaffle!

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That is exactly what I'm talking about!! Madness.
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(not you the people who make the rules!)
 
Louise Bell said (in this weeks H&H) that not every horse goes in a snaffle and cavesson. Horses are individuals and so are their bitting needs.

My horse hacks out in a Myler snaffle, schools and dressages in a lozenged snaffle and shows in a cambridge mouth pelham because she can get a bit 'jolly' when in company with other horses.

It's the hands that make bits harsh, as I'm sure you know.
How lucky you are, to have a horse that goes sweetly in a simple snaffle with no noseband in ALL situations, at least I assume you do rom the thread you've started.

As far as I'm aware, there are no 'rules' about which bit you should use. If your horse goes well ina snaffle, then use it, in fact, if you are in a novice classes, you should really be using a snaffle.

the idea is that horses should be well schooled enough to go in a double. The idea of showing is to show your horse off to its best advantage, and if it goes well in a certain sort of bit, then why not? If the horse is comfortable and happy it will go well. If it isn't happy in its mouth, then it won't. Some horses have small mouths and fat tongues so can't take a double (like mine) She's happy in her pelham.

 
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I did a class today, and to show Blue i have to have him in a pelham which is a little annoying for me because he goes fine in a snaffle!

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That is exactly what I'm talking about!! Madness.
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(not you the people who make the rules!)

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Lol i know!! Blue has never needed a strong bit for flatwork (jumping however is another story entirely
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) but according to the rules i must have him in a pelham so pelham it is
frown.gif
took a little getting used to for both of us though.
 
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gadgets are designed for a quick fix without putting in the time or training to do it properly or to find out what a cause of a problem is.

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Sooooooo much better to have a keen horse in a snaffle and bruise its mouth hauling it around. Looks soooooo much better because HEY, it's a snaffle.
*rolls eyes*
 
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JM07 - PMSL!

I was told at a showing clinic to put a pelham and double reins on because two reins is correct attire. We were also told how most types of "normal" bits are available in a pelham style, and how to adjust it all so that you can use it like your normal bit but still look the part.

Showing is all about how the overall picture comes together - if you don't like it, why show?

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Totally agree....

I ride El in a snaffle at all times. For hunter classes etc pelham. Its the doen thing- like wearing a show jacket....

(well okay not quite the smae but you catch my drift.)

Im okay on the spur front as I HAVE to wear them showing anyway...
 
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Louise Bell said (in this weeks H&H) that not every horse goes in a snaffle and cavesson. Horses are individuals and so are their bitting needs.

My horse hacks out in a Myler snaffle, schools and dressages in a lozenged snaffle and shows in a cambridge mouth pelham because she can get a bit 'jolly' when in company with other horses.

It's the hands that make bits harsh, as I'm sure you know.
How lucky you are, to have a horse that goes sweetly in a simple snaffle with no noseband in ALL situations, at least I assume you do rom the thread you've started.

As far as I'm aware, there are no 'rules' about which bit you should use. If your horse goes well ina snaffle, then use it, in fact, if you are in a novice classes, you should really be using a snaffle.

the idea is that horses should be well schooled enough to go in a double. The idea of showing is to show your horse off to its best advantage, and if it goes well in a certain sort of bit, then why not? If the horse is comfortable and happy it will go well. If it isn't happy in its mouth, then it won't. Some horses have small mouths and fat tongues so can't take a double (like mine) She's happy in her pelham.


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Janette - I think you are completely miss understanding what I am saying. If you have read the whole thread - I'm all for people riding their horse in what ever suits them best - you say not all horses go well in a snaffle and cavesson, so I think it is fair to say they don't all go well in a double or a pelham, which is what showing people seem to use either of.

I ride my horse in a grackle, waterford and a martingale BTW and have tried him in a pelham, but he didn't like it. I'm sure this wouldn't suit most combinations, but it works for us.
 
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according to the rules i must have him in a pelham so pelham it is
frown.gif
took a little getting used to for both of us though.

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I did read the whole thread (until I went to bed) and nowhere did you state what tack you used. Use your Waterford by all means if that is what works for you. Grackles and Martingales are totally acceptable in workers. If you want to use that tack for workers then do so, and don't forget to add the boots as well.(Just remember to take them off for the flat work bit).
but if you don't do workers, then just use your Waterford snaffle. There are no rules statingwhat bits you MUST use. There are the bits that the judges would like to see a horse going sweetly in, but if your horse will give a light, well balanced, responsive ride in the Waterford snaffle, then I don't see your problem.

Only the sides of the bit are visible anyway - who knows WHAT is in the mouth itself.
Get a waterford in a pelham (Cotswold sports do them at an excellent price as well
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) and just ride off the top rein if that would suit you.

Now if you want 'Rules' in showing, then you need to look at Rider turnout - tweed jackets V navy jackets, what age to wear long boots, fake hair buns......
 
I love riding in a double bridle and my horse is very well schooled so it's not an issue. Often use a 3 ring gag for workers anyway tbh.
Have more of an issue with classes like Riding Club Horse where a snaffle is specified, think that's completely stupid.
Also think the way many professionals bit their horses in double with 6 inch shanks and really tight noseband is a worry, but then that's also a problem in dressage.
 
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I did a class today, and to show Blue i have to have him in a pelham which is a little annoying for me because he goes fine in a snaffle!
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well, if you show him in a double, then you can just use the bradoon...and have the weymouth rein a little slack
no difference really...

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Also think the way many professionals bit their horses in double with 6 inch shanks and really tight noseband is a worry, but then that's also a problem in dressage.

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I think the Cruise Control example was quite startling, a double bridle with long curb shank, flash and both reins through the martingale... do judges not take into account how much tack is on the horse nowadays? I was always taught that less is more for hunters, and that when asked to choose between two otherwise identically performing horses they should go for the one with less gadgets on.

I use a double bridle with a cavesson noseband and spurs on my horse when doing M&M workers, and highly object to being placed lower to horses in grackles and waterfords.
 
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according to the rules i must have him in a pelham so pelham it is
frown.gif
took a little getting used to for both of us though.

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I did read the whole thread (until I went to bed) and nowhere did you state what tack you used. Use your Waterford by all means if that is what works for you. Grackles and Martingales are totally acceptable in workers. If you want to use that tack for workers then do so, and don't forget to add the boots as well.(Just remember to take them off for the flat work bit).
but if you don't do workers, then just use your Waterford snaffle. There are no rules statingwhat bits you MUST use. There are the bits that the judges would like to see a horse going sweetly in, but if your horse will give a light, well balanced, responsive ride in the Waterford snaffle, then I don't see your problem.

Only the sides of the bit are visible anyway - who knows WHAT is in the mouth itself.
Get a waterford in a pelham (Cotswold sports do them at an excellent price as well
wink.gif
) and just ride off the top rein if that would suit you.

Now if you want 'Rules' in showing, then you need to look at Rider turnout - tweed jackets V navy jackets, what age to wear long boots, fake hair buns......

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Sorry but why are you quoting me here?!
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I'm not doing workers, and i don't have him a waterford, grakle and martingale - ever! Think you have me mixed up with Starbucks.

And actually i have read the rule book, the CHAPs one thanks very much.
 
In an ideal world horses would go in a snaffle and a cavesson and if a horse is stronger and needs a different bit then fine. What gets me is people who have a flash 'because it looks nice' or have a gag 'because everybody else does' when it isnt needed.

I have seen at a local show a rider with a Myler combination bit and a very tight flash at the same time. I have seen people with a double bridle and drawreins with running martingales.

I used to work in a saddlery and a customer comes in wanting a flash converter for her daughter's pony. I asked if he was getting strong on the spring grass and she said no, her daughter wanted one because her friend had one and that the pony kept eating grass. Mother would do the flash up so tight the pony could not even mouth the bit or adjust its mouth position for comfort. I explained what a flash noseband was for and what it did and she bought a pair of grass reins. The following day, mother returned the reins as daughter wanted what her friend had. This is my point.
 
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