Small hack showing

[Cob Life]

For small hack showing do they have to be shown in a double bridle?

I have a cob I’m aiming to take showing 2023 and another that I’d like to take as a small a hack however I can almost guarantee she won’t like a double bridle so if I have to show her in one, I won’t aim for showing with her. It would be a shame as she’s a lovely flashy horse

 

[humblepie]

Snaffle can be used in novice, then you can use a pelham in open classes. Lovely classes to do.

 

[Orangehorse]

You can put any bit in the horse's mouth, it doesn't have to be two bits, there are plenty of options. It is convention that you use double reins for showing. I think if you look carefully at photos of horses in showing classes there are plenty of different bits and mouthpieces. Rugby pelham springs to mind.

The idea of the double is that the horse is very well schooled and can be ridden with the lightest of contact and the rider appears to give no visiible aids, from the judge's side view anyway.

I'm not sure how you would get on with a cob in a hack class though, as a hack is usually a pretty, flashy TB type with a floaty action. But the only way to find out is to try. I have taken my horse into classes where he doesn't really fit the picture, but doing a good show and being well schooled meant he did OK. Its OK for a local show, riding club show (Although some of our local ones were a very high standard even if the classes weren't that big).

 

[Cob Life]

You can put any bit in the horse's mouth, it doesn't have to be two bits, there are plenty of options. It is convention that you use double reins for showing. I think if you look carefully at photos of horses in showing classes there are plenty of different bits and mouthpieces. Rugby pelham springs to mind.

The idea of the double is that the horse is very well schooled and can be ridden with the lightest of contact and the rider appears to give no visiible aids, from the judge's side view anyway.

I'm not sure how you would get on with a cob in a hack class though, as a hack is usually a pretty, flashy TB type with a floaty action. But the only way to find out is to try. I have taken my horse into classes where he doesn't really fit the picture, but doing a good show and being well schooled meant he did OK. Its OK for a local show, riding club show (Although some of our local ones were a very high standard even if the classes weren't that big).

I’m taking the cob to a cob class don’t worry, he’s very heavy and definitely not a small hack, he will be in a double or pelham if not a double!
I ride quite a small tb x mare too and thought she could come along too, she’s quite petite and flashy, and way more level headed than the cob

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have Arab's and they did most of there showing in a snaffle even at county level at times, I only ever put them in a Pelham and that was either a myler or a jointed one with a lozenge, I always do what I feel comfortable in with my horses I always felt they were happy so I stuck with it.

 

[teddy_]

Snaffle for novice classes and a pelham or double for open classes.

However, ultimately it's about what your horse goes best in. Any judge would rather see a horse going beautifully in a snaffle or pelham than showing resistance with a double.