For all disciplines.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/fei-standardizes-noseband-tightness-across-disciplines/
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Here is a video for how it is to be used. Note the effort to “push” the measuring device thru the noseband-nose gap
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Hopefully they’ll have time to teach the stewards to use it properly so there aren’t a lot of sore noses.
I wonder what material they are made from.
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This is terrific, and long overdue. I’ve worked a lot of gates at dressage shows where there is NO WAY this tool would have fit under the noseband. This takes all of the argument out of it, and a cavesson that loose can’t possibly attempt to keep the horses’ mouths closed. One good step in the right direction! Hallelujah!!!
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It does seem as it would be more effective than the finger under the noseband on the side of the horse’s nose is.
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I agree with skydy, you can get 2 fingers under a VERY tight noseband on the side…
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Does anyone know if these tools are for sale yet?
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I don’t. I’ve only read the article.
Seems like they should sell them. 
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The article says they will be available to riders for a fee. It doesn’t say where or when.
Let’s hope this standardized measurement will result in correctly fitted nose bands.
Has anyone else noticed that loose nosebands are deemed normal on head collars which, lacking a bit, actually provide far less “control” than a bridle? I’ve only used a rope across a nose once in my life, on a very bouncy horse.
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It’ll be interesting to see how the FEI horses go with the new rule. They made the punishment pretty stiff for coming out of the test with a noseband tightness that doesn’t comply (yellow card and elimination.)
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Hopefully, harder to over produce young horses, with their mouths cranked shut so they are unable to show their distress…
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I wonder if USEF will adopt the rule for national classes? Since the FEI rule applies to all disciplines, including Jumpers, it should be simple for USEF to implement.
I think they should do so. The rule would have a more widespread effect on horse welfare than their rules about crownpeices and there are certainly plenty of very tight nosebands to be seen outside of the FEI level.
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We tried to get one a the Royal last week and they weren’t available yet.
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They probably won’t be available until they have all of the stewards trained and equipped with the device, and the FEI thinks they’ll need until May to accomplish that.
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I would think they would want to have them available to people as soon as possible so they can make sure they are using their tack correctly within the guidelines.
Why wait until the stewards have them to allow people to have them?
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Because they are the FEI and seem to enjoy moving at a glacial pace.
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It seems pretty reasonable to make sure the first production (and possibly the 2nd, 3rd and so on) is designated for all the TDs and stewards, worldwide, across all disciplines before offering them to nonofficial membership. I mean they just approved the prototype, I can’t imagine they went into production before approving it, so even the most nimble organization would still be behind the eight ball in this area.
I could only imagine the howls of outrage, if someone found out that big name trainer x had their device before a steward at the same show. I also look forward to the howls of outrage when everyone realizes that you need to be an FEI member to purchase one. Not sure that’s how it’ll play out, but I’m pretty sure the initial sales will only be to membership since they have a vested interest in it.
