But can’t we just…not crank our nosebands down? I think the point of the tool is just to standardize measurements at shows, so there can be uniform enforcement. For those who are used to riding with overly snug nosebands, having access to the tool will allow the rider to train as they will soon have to compete. If you’re already concerned about tight nosebands, I don’t know if you are the target audience for home use anyway, right?
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True. I would like, however, to make sure I’m training my own eye. 
I’ve recently started loosening mine a hole.
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We all have two fingers to insert under the nose band. But hey! I’m old fashioned.
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Yes, but we all have different sized fingers. 
ETA Okay, for my own curiosity, I measured my fingers. I had to use my middle and index fingers to come close to the 3 cm width, but to get the depth of 1.7 cm, I had to go past my second knuckle (at which point I was wider than the 3 cm). It helps give me an eyeball, but I’m not sticking my fingers that far up a noseband. I had my hand get stuck on one of my horses bridles before, stuck to my wedding ring, and that was panic inducing. Luckily, this was with my steady eddy, and I only had to get my damaged ring fixed and not my finger.
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@ParadoxFarm That’s very true - but then any quick “two fingers” is an improvement on closing up a mouth tighter than a miser’s money bags.
I’m really glad the FEI is dealing with this welfare problem.
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Oh, definitely!!
Sure - we both have examples. The point is, horses don’t have a “standard” size in heads, shapes, etc. But this measuring device is static, and doesn’t allow for that variation.
Why would it matter if the pony’s is looser, pound for pound? I’m trying to understand the inequity.
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Neither did the old fashioned two finger method, or did you use someone with smaller hands to measure smaller horses/ponies?
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No matter what the FEI does there will always be some variability that cannot be accounted for, or as you put it, we all have examples. This solution probably works for over 80% and the worst thing that can happen is some tiny teacup muzzled equine has proportionally looser noseband to nose diameter ratio.
But if you want variability, how are you going to define, defend and implement it more equitably than the current plan? How are you going to make it work efficiently at shows? Who is going to be taking these measurements and will they need to be recorded and defended if someone feels they are wrong and it creates an unfair advantage? At what point on the muzzle would you measure? What about longer muzzles vs. shorter muzzles? Do you account for that? And if an equine under 148 cm gets one measurement regardless of the size of their muzzle how is that more fair than the current rule if any given number of equines above 148cm could have smaller muzzles?
These are questions I thought of off the top of my head, and I’m willing to bet there’s at least 50 more that vested interested could come up with (especially if you are clued into FEI pony measurement drama).
To my mind at some point you must fish or cut bait. The (soon to be) implemented system appears straightforward, easy to understand, defend and implement on the ground at shows.
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Also, apart from the FEI Pony division (which is small in North America), it’s not legal to show a pony in a CDI.
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This applies across all divisions, so dressage limitations may not apply 
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Agreed. Never let perfect be the enemy of good.
This is an advancement in horse welfare at shows. Even if it is a small advancement, it is still a good one. Even if there is other bad stuff going on, this is still a good step.
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Received an email from USEF in response to my questions.
“The FEI has postponed the implementation of the noseband rule until May. Currently there hasn’t been discussion for adopting this within the USEF rules.”
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The FEI noseband measuring device is now available. https://shop.fei.org/products/fei-measuring-device-3
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Thanks for the update, skydy!
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Mine is showing it will be delivered Monday. interested to try it out.
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The rule will be enforced beginning in May, after the World Cup Dressage Final. Here are the qualified entries: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Final%20List%20Athletes%20Basel%20(SUI).pdf
It’ll be interesting to see if some of these riders will be easing up on the noseband tightness in anticipation of the rule, or if they’ll ride per usual.
For the non-FEI group that will scrutinize horses for gaping mouths and blue tongues, the World Cup be an interesting test of their influence (or lack of.)
We ride with snug, but not cranked nosebands. However, we also use pads over the bridge of the nose. We haven’t had any luck holding the pad in place from outside the noseband while sliding the thingy through - which means we’re all going to have to ditch the pad for shows or change to some sort of pad that tightly affixes to the noseband. We’re waiting until after Florida to make the switch.
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Big guess on my part, but would those sticky glue dots be enough to hold on the pad on the bridle?
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