So, I just found out that Boucher bits are now illegal in western dressage. My mare seems to go really well in this bit. Are there any similar type bits that I can try on her that are legal? I can use anything with a shank or an o-ring, d-ring, or eggbutt. Personally I don’t understand this ruling since its regular dressage legal, but oh well…
None of the legal snaffles are going to give you the same stability as the baucher.
Maybe a very short shanked bit? Something like this-
https://www.nrsworld.com/dutton-bits/dutton-smooth-snaffle-horse-bit-3450
Some of the WD equipment rules seem dumb to me. So I can ride two-handed with a shank bit, and I can strap his mouth shut with a caveson, but I can’t use a full cheek, half cheek or baucher snaffle. They’ve already given the middle finger to tradition by allowing cavesons and two-hands on a curb in the show pen, so what’s their excuse for the bits?
Would it be legal to use an Argentine snaffle with the rein on the upper (non-leverage) loop? That would be virtually a Baucher in terms of its action.
For example -
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/reinsman-stage-b-argentine-smooth-copper-snaffle-13134?
[QUOTE=Draftmare;8826893]
So, I just found out that Boucher bits are now illegal in western dressage. [/QUOTE]
Wow, so I don’t understand that either? Why would a bit like that need to be illegal?
I would agree to try to find a very short shanked bit that has a similar mouthpiece to what you are using on the Boucher like what gaitedincali posted, or something like this.
[QUOTE=gaitedincali;8827063]
None of the legal snaffles are going to give you the same stability as the baucher.
Maybe a very short shanked bit? Something like this-
https://www.nrsworld.com/dutton-bits/dutton-smooth-snaffle-horse-bit-3450
Some of the WD equipment rules seem dumb to me. So I can ride two-handed with a shank bit, and I can strap his mouth shut with a caveson, but I can’t use a full cheek, half cheek or baucher snaffle. They’ve already given the middle finger to tradition by allowing cavesons and two-hands on a curb in the show pen, so what’s their excuse for the bits?[/QUOTE]
What you said is pretty much the exact same conversation that my instrutor and I had. Why is a boucher or full cheek not legal, but riding two handed in a cathedral bit is?!
I can’t seem to find a reason, and prior to last year I guess the bits were in fact legal. The only thing I can figure is that they are trying to limit to “tradional” western snaffles such as an o-ring.
[QUOTE=beau159;8827264]Wow, so I don’t understand that either? Why would a bit like that need to be illegal?
I would agree to try to find a very short shanked bit that has a similar mouthpiece to what you are using on the Boucher like what gaitedincali posted, or something like this.[/QUOTE]
Something like that could work. Just would have to find it without the roller part. I was thinking maybe a jr cowhorse bit would work, but I can’t find one that is without a roller. Where did you find that bit, and do you know what kind it is called? I googled “dog bone bit” but nothing came up that looked like that.
[QUOTE=Huntin’ Pony;8827223]Would it be legal to use an Argentine snaffle with the rein on the upper (non-leverage) loop? That would be virtually a Baucher in terms of its action.
For example -
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/reinsman-stage-b-argentine-smooth-copper-snaffle-13134?[/QUOTE]
Anything with a shank has to have the reins in the bottom hole of the bit. 
Wouldn’t you be better with an Argentine or the one linked above? A Jr Cowhorse has a small amount of gag, so it will tell the horse to raise its head.
And that is a really stupid rule.
[QUOTE=cloudy18;8827327]
Wouldn’t you be better with an Argentine or the one linked above? A Jr Cowhorse has a small amount of gag, so it will tell the horse to raise its head.
And that is a really stupid rule.[/QUOTE]
Okay, I didn’t know that a jr cowhorse had any gag action. I don’t want/need that.
Though the rule is dumber than a box of rocks, it’s not surprising.
Going to anything with leverage is not going to be appropriate, since a Baucher has no leverage.
Given headstall rings etc are also illegal, the closest you’ll find is a D ring with really large D’s.
The advantage of a Baucher is that it’s a stable bit without much play or jiggle, so anything of the sort will be roughly equivalent.
It is my understanding that western “Pelhams” are legal, such as this one: http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=BIW1233&stricSKU=BIW1233
If you put the reins on the “snaffle” ring, you essentially have a baucher. This appears to be legal here in Canada, as I have seen it done both in open breed flat shows and in the western dressage ring, but the western dressage I’ve seen done has only been at schooling shows so I could be wrong.
Edit: I used this as a “baby step” between a snaffle and a curb when I was getting my cob going western. Paired with a smooth leather curb strap, it served its purpose well, and he now goes in a “big boy curb” http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=BIW1237&stricSKU=BIW1237
[QUOTE=Ceylon Star;8827507]
It is my understanding that western “Pelhams” are legal, such as this one: http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=BIW1233&stricSKU=BIW1233
If you put the reins on the “snaffle” ring, you essentially have a baucher. This appears to be legal here in Canada, as I have seen it done both in open breed flat shows and in the western dressage ring, but the western dressage I’ve seen done has only been at schooling shows so I could be wrong.
Edit: I used this as a “baby step” between a snaffle and a curb when I was getting my cob going western. Paired with a smooth leather curb strap, it served its purpose well, and he now goes in a “big boy curb” http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?strilhID=Web&strmdNumber=BIW1237&stricSKU=BIW1237[/QUOTE]
The rules don’t say anything against attaching reins that way specifically, but they do say that you aren’t allow to do anything that alters the intended use of the bit, which is what that might fall under.
[QUOTE=aktill;8827365]
Though the rule is dumber than a box of rocks, it’s not surprising.
Going to anything with leverage is not going to be appropriate, since a Baucher has no leverage.
Given headstall rings etc are also illegal, the closest you’ll find is a D ring with really large D’s.
The advantage of a Baucher is that it’s a stable bit without much play or jiggle, so anything of the sort will be roughly equivalent.[/QUOTE]
The rule is dumb. She really likes this bit, and I think it is because it is so stable in her mouth. My instructor gave me a Myler with giant d-rings on it to try. We shall see what she thinks of that.
[QUOTE=Draftmare;8828030]
The rules don’t say anything against attaching reins that way specifically, but they do say that you aren’t allow to do anything that alters the intended use of the bit, which is what that might fall under.[/QUOTE]
I’m not sure if it is technically altering the intended use though. It is my understanding that this type of shank was originally designed to be used the same way that an English Pelham is to be used. So in theory, using just the snaffle action would technically be the intended use, albeit only half of it I suppose. Loopholes are fun, haha
How about one of these?
[URL=“https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/reinsman-stage-a-trail-dee-stainless-double-five-snaffle-13131”]https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/reinsman-stage-a-trail-dee-stainless-double-five-snaffle-13131
Never mind. This has headstall rings.
My instructor gave us a Myler d-ring to try, and she seems to really like it. Of course she has to like a stupid expensive bit. Looking around to see if I can find one used.
Mylers are really good quality bits, so worth hunting down. I’ve picked them up used for $20 a few times. Check with the bit rental places.
[QUOTE=Draftmare;8828734]
My instructor gave us a Myler d-ring to try, and she seems to really like it. Of course she has to like a stupid expensive bit. Looking around to see if I can find one used.[/QUOTE]
So what. you are havinga conversation with your horse. converse.
Tom Balding bits can make you any bit you want. You pick the mouthpiece the shanks etc and they put them all together. Ray Maheu is also a custom but maker and can do just about anything. Two of my favorite bit makers!
[QUOTE=aktill;8830245]
Mylers are really good quality bits, so worth hunting down. I’ve picked them up used for $20 a few times. Check with the bit rental places.[/QUOTE]
I am bidding on one on eBay right now. Crossing my fingers that I can get a good deal!! Just in case I don’t I ordered a Korsteel dee ring french link since our boucher was a french link while they are on sale right now.
She doesn’t really need anything super special. She seems to be happy in a french link mouth, or now the Myler mouth piece.
Good luck!
Pet peeve though - it’s a Baucher. As in, brainchild of Francois Baucher.
[QUOTE=Draftmare;8827352]
Okay, I didn’t know that a jr cowhorse had any gag action. I don’t want/need that.[/QUOTE]
I was going to say the same thing about the Jr. Cowhorse – that it might not be legal due to the gag action.
Gag action just simply means that the mouthpiece is allowed to slide. There is very little gag action on a Jr. Cowhorse but it is still there regardless.
This Carol Goosetree bit, for example, is also a gag bit but has a lot of gag action. Where as the Jr. Cowhorse bit is still a gag bit, but does not have as much. They do make the Jr. Cowhorse without the roller, as well as with a single jointed mouthpiece, or with twisted wire. They make them all.
Here is the website to the bit I suggested. I don’t believe they make that exact bit with a single joint in the mouthpiece, but something like this would be similar, if you are looking for a single jointed mouthpiece.
Of course, those two bits are NOT gag bits, because the mouthpiece can swivel but NOT slide. The sliding action is what will make a bit a gag bit.
