Bit Help - Dressage Legal, etc ?

[WldnHrseCrzy03]

I’m wondering if someone can clarify the rules for dressage legal bits in eventing for me?

I am trying to find a bit my horse likes and have been trying out some Myler bits because I think their general philosophy makes sense. I figured it was worth a try. I have a sensitive OTTB who, when asked for contact, inverts & puts his head up… he isn’t very consistent with his contact so I thought maybe he doesn’t like that much pressure on his tongue.

I’ve gotten conflicting information as far as which Myler bits are legal in dressage at eventing competitions… I thought there were quite a few mouthpieces that were now legal but then I was told that was for USDF & USEF, not eventing because eventing is FEI rules?! I was told for eventing the only Myler bit that is dressage legal is the 02 mouthpiece.

Can someone please clarify for me?

If that is the case, I’m thinking I may have to invest in a couple different bits, for schooling and competition.

My horse seemed to really like the 06 mouthpiece which has a wide low port… and the one I tried had “hooks” so it kept the bit sitting the way it should and offered him a good amount of tongue relief. He was very relaxed and soft in it… I only used the bridle hooks, not the rein hooks tho & no curb strap or anything.

If anyone has suggestions or opinions on bitting too, let me know. Thanks!

[quietann]

I know that USEF dressage-dressage now allows the Myler low-port mouthpieces, at least when not using a double bridle, but I’m not sure about eventing dressage. The two sports seem to eventually allow the same bits, but it can take a while if one allows a new bit and the other doesn’t at first.

ETA: just checked, and the ported bits are not allowed in eventing dressage (yet.) See the rule book for eventing, Appendix 4, pages 77-79.

As far as I know, FEI rules apply to 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* but not BN, N, T, P, I, and A, which are “national” levels, AKA “horse trials”.

Hooks would not be allowed in any dressage.

[EventingDreaming]

[QUOTE=quietann;7556664]

ETA: just checked, and the ported bits are not allowed in eventing dressage (yet.) See the rule book for eventing, Appendix 4, pages 77-79.

As far as I know, FEI rules apply to 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* but not BN, N, T, P, I, and A, which are “national” levels, AKA “horse trials”. [/QUOTE]

Does this mean at local one days or local events that are not 1*, 2*, 3* or 4*, Mylers with ports would be allowed, because that rule doesn’t apply to local things? Or should I check into local rules?
I am very new to eventing, and looking into getting a small ported Myler for my guy. (Who will hopefully turn into an eventer.) We definitely won’t be ready for any events this year, and maybe if things go as planned some local ones next. (As if things ever go as planned :lol:) Thanks!

[WldnHrseCrzy03]

I was wondering the same…

I will be going Novice with my horse this year. I have looked at the eventing rule book but the pictures of the bits and descriptions are very vague… so I wasn’t sure.

[Janet]

[QUOTE=EventingDreaming;7556725]
Does this mean at local one days or local events that are not 1*, 2*, 3* or 4*, Mylers with ports would be allowed, because that rule doesn’t apply to local things? Or should I check into local rules?[/QUOTE]
Horse Trials that are recognized by USEA (and either recognized or endorsed by USEF) run under the USEF Eventing rules (which are different from the USEF Dressage rules). This includes Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced. It does not matter whether the competition runs over 1,2,3,4,5,or 6 days. It still runs under USEF rules.

FEI rules apply to CCI* and CIC* (called “one stars”), CCI** and CIC** (called “two stars”), CCI*** and CIC*** (called “three stars”) and CCI**** (called “four stars”)

“Local” Horse Trials (not recognized by USEA or USEF) can use whatever rules they want, but most of them follow USEF Eventing rules. I have never heard of a local (unrecognized) event using FEI rules.

For an unrecognized event, you can always call and ask if you can us an illegal bit. The answers will vary.

[Janet]

[QUOTE=WldnHrseCrzy03;7556660]
I’m wondering if someone can clarify the rules for dressage legal bits in eventing for me?

My horse seemed to really like the 06 mouthpiece which has a wide low port… and the one I tried had “hooks” so it kept the bit sitting the way it should and offered him a good amount of tongue relief. He was very relaxed and soft in it… I only used the bridle hooks, not the rein hooks tho & no curb strap or anything.

If anyone has suggestions or opinions on bitting too, let me know. Thanks![/QUOTE]

The bit rules can be pretty confusing, but this part is clear (USEF Eventing rules, Appendix 4):

Permitted Snaffles
An ordinary snaffle is a plain snaffle with a straight bar or joint in the center.

A bit with a port has neither “a straight bar”, nor a “joint in the center” so it is NOT legal for Eventing Dressage (though fine for the jumping phases).

A bit with “hooks” is not legal, even if you are not using the “hooks”.

If you want the effect of “only using the bridle hooks” there are two (Eventing Dressage legal) bit types that have the same effect (“keeping the bit sitting the way it should”). One is the Baucher (aka “hanging snaffle” - #11 in the rule book) and the other is a full (or half) cheek (#6,7,or 8 in the rule book) - with keepers. But it still needs to have either a straight bar, or a joint (single or double)

[WldnHrseCrzy03]

I know the hooks aren’t legal even if you aren’t using them.

Thank you for the information Janet! I will do more research… the bit market is kind of overwhelming! Haha