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APPENDIX 5: ILLUSTRATIONS OF BITS Permitted Bits Bit

Information Bridoon Snaffle The mouthpiece is thin. Can be used on its own, as a snaffle bit. Found with loose ring and fixed ring cheekpieces. See “6.c Bridoon Bits for a Double Bridle” for illustrations

Loose Ring Snaffle Can be single or double jointed.

Allowed in All pony club activities. In combination with a Curb/ Weymouth bit – Show Horse, Medium level Dressage and above only All pony club activities.

Mouthpiece can come in thin or thicker versions. Cheekpieces are loose and rounded to allow movement with mouthpiece. Eggbutt Snaffle Can be single or double jointed. All pony club activities. Mouthpiece can come in thin or thicker versions. Cheekpieces are fixed, and may be either flat or rounded metal. Ideal for young riders with unsteady hands, as the bit sits more still than a loose ring version. Mullen Mouth Snaffle Applies pressure on the bars of the mouth, useful for horses that do not like pressure from a jointed mouthpiece. May be used in a fixed cheek or loose ring option. Mouthpiece may be made of metal, synthetic or rubber (with metal inner core). Flexible rubber is not permitted.

JANUARY 2016

All pony club activities. Wavy plastic mouthpieces not permitted in Dressage or Eventing Dressage

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303 French Snaffle Cheekpieces can be fixed, loose ring. All pony club Ideal for horses that may not like the activities „v‟ action of a single jointed mouthpiece.

D-Ring Snaffle Can be single or double jointed. Mouthpiece can come in thin or thicker versions. Bars of the „D‟ place pressure on the sides of the mouth for steering. Copper Roller Snaffle Bars of the „D‟ provide same steering pressure as for D-Ring Snaffle. Copper encourages salivation. Rollers encourage playing or suckling of the bit. FM/Fulmer Snaffle Bars assist in giving clearer turning aids to the horse/pony. Also prevents bit being pulled through horse/pony mouth.

All pony club activities

Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Eventing Cross Country, Polocrosse. All pony club activities

FM KEEPERS Pictured bottom left, FM Keepers are leather straps which attach the upper cheek of the Full Cheek or Fulmer bits. FM Keepers are recommended to keep the centre of the bit lifted in the horse‟s mouth and prevent the cheek pieces from pressing into the horse‟s cheeks. Tom Thumb Most commonly seen on ponies. Make sure “ridged” part faces away from pony‟s head. Bars assist in giving clearer turning aids to the horse/pony. Also prevents bit being pulled through horse/pony mouth. Full Cheek or Fixed Cheek Snaffle Bars assist in giving clearer turning aids to the horse/pony. Also prevents bit being pulled through horse/pony mouth.

JANUARY 2016

All pony club activities

All pony club activities

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PCAWA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL 2016

304 Dr Bristol Bit Cheekpieces can be fixed, loose ring. Ideal for horses that may not like the „v‟ action of a single jointed bit. Square tongue plate.

Wilkie Snaffle Bit Two reins may be used with single mouthpiece bits including the Pelham and Dutch Gag / Pessoa Snaffle.

Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Eventing Cross Country, Polocrosse.

Eventing SJ/XC, Showjumping, Tetrathlon, Polocrosse.

This bit is not to be confused with a cartwheel bit which is not permitted:

Rugby Pelham (give the appearance of a bit and bridoon)

Half Moon Pelham

Pelham Bit The Pelham is a combination of the With chain curb and bridoon on one Rallies, Eventing mouthpiece. Cross Country, Eventing Pelhams can be used as an Jumping, introduction to double reins. Polocrosse and Tetrathlon Cross Rugby Pelhams are probably less Country only. functional but give the appearance of a Bit and Bridoon. NOT permitted for Dressage, May only be ridden with a Eventing cavesson noseband to avoid Dressage, Prince pinching with the curb chain. Philip Mounted Games, Permitted rein attachments: Novelties, Pony a. With equalizers to one rein Club Mount. b. With two reins c. With roundings to one rein d. With divided reins. Small port, Mullen and Straight mouthpieces permitted ONLY with Pelhams.

Port Mouth Pelham

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Two Loop Pelham

Jointed Mouthpieces permitted (as below).

are

NOT

Kimblewick Bit / Spanish Snaffle This bit is a variation of the Pelham. The square eye which attaches it to the cheek pieces has a downward action on the poll to help lower the head. The slotted version has bit rings which allow different degrees of control as when the rein is set low on the bit „D‟, a greater leverage is exerted (Permitted). Low Port Kimblewick (Permitted)

The curved (Port) mouth piece gives extra room for the tongue.

With chain Rallies, Eventing Cross Country, Eventing Jumping, Polocrosse and Tetrathlon Cross Country only. NOT permitted for Dressage or Eventing Dressage PPMG, Novelties, PC Mount.

May only be ridden with a cavesson noseband, to avoid pinching with the curb chain.

Slotted Cheek Kimblewick (Permitted)

Small port, Mullen and Straight mouthpieces permitted ONLY with Kimblewicks

Jointed Mouthpieces are NOT permitted Dutch Gag / Pessoa Snaffle These bits work to raise the bit up in the horse‟s mouth in a similar yet much less severe manor to a conventional gag.

3 Ring Dutch Gag / Pessoa

Applies poll pressure when rein is attached on the lower ring setting. Permitted rein attachments: a. With equalizers to one rein b. With two reins c. With roundings to one rein d. With divided reins.

3

Eventing XC, Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Polocrosse and Rallies only. NOT permitted in Dressage, Prince Philip Mounted Games, Novelties, Pony Club Mount.

Ring Dutch Gag / Pessoa

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306 Curb/Weymouth Bit Curb bits are an accompaniment to a bridoon style bit for a double bridle. Curb bits (See p. 45). Also known as Weymouth bits.

Medium level Dressage and above only

Curbs are distinguished from Pelhams in that Curbs have no cheek ring. See “6.b Curb bits for a Double Bridle” for illustrations Myler Bit “Myler” is both the brand, and the term that identifies the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece has a central rolling metal cylinder.

Level 1 mouthpiece (straight)

Myler bits can come with various cheek pieces. For allowable cheek pieces see the above table: Rings and Cheeks. With the slotted version (below) is permitted, reins may be positioned in certain locations to add a small degree of leverage action (5,6). The check piece attaches to the top slot (3) and the rein to the bottom slot (5). This increases the leverage action.

Crescendo Bit Mouthpiece is shaped to discourage the horse from setting its jaw against the bit and pulling. Bit exerts forward pressure and downward pressure, on bars of mouth and tongue. Useful for horses that pull.

Cherry Roller Bit Mouthpiece has a single joints jointed. Mouthpiece shanks have „rollers‟ that allow the horse to play with the bit.

JANUARY 2016

Plain ring cheekpiece permitted for all activities Slotted cheekpiece permitted in Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Eventing Cross Country, Polocrosse only Hanging cheek/baucher cheekpiece not permitted in Dressage / Eventing Dressage Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Eventing Cross Country, Polocrosse.

Eventing Jumping, Showjumping, Eventing Cross Country,

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PCAWA GEAR CHECKING MANUAL 2016

307 Not to be confused with a Waterford bit which has multiple joints – Waterford is not permitted. Pee Wee Bit Must be carefully checked that they are fitted correctly. A Pee Wee bit, fitted with a chin strap is permitted as per fitting guidelines in section 4.1.6.c Chin Straps (p.49),

Correctly fitted

Polocrosse.

Cross Country, Jumping and Polocrosse. These bits are permitted to be used in flatwork at Rallies.

Mouth Bar: Thinner mouth bar eliminates contact with the roof of the mouth. Mouth bar floats on the rings so stays quiet at all times, eliminating pressure on the tongue. Unique shape and position of the mouth bar encourages flexing at the pole so the horse is in the best position to work. Side Bar: Prevent laying on the bit and encourage neck flexion.

Incorrectly fitted

Rings: Do not contact the sensitive sides of the face, removing head tossing caused by pinching of the lips against the teeth.

Show Bit Not a snaffle bit. Not used for riding. Used for in-hand, halter and breeding classes.

Permitted for Showing in Hand - K, B and A Certificates only

Not-Permitted Bits 1.

COMBINATION BITS – NOT permitted for any Pony Club activity Combination Bits are bits that incorporate a noseband and curb chain/strap in addition to any type of mouthpiece. (Another description is a hybrid of a ring bit, shank bit and Hackamore). Also the mouthpieces are frequently not smooth and the combination bits incorporate a hackamore type JANUARY 2016

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leverage (hackamores are not permitted at Pony Club Activities).

Combination bit with noseband, curb chain and rubber mullen mouthpiece 2.

MIKMAR MOUTHPIECES – NOT permitted for any Pony Club activity

JANUARY 2016

APPENDIX 5 – ILLUSTRATION OF BITS