Which would change the measurement…
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I was thinking if you bought something rubber, like a doorstop, for testing at home, not official measurement. Also, very thin felt, or even plain fabric would work to keep it from rubbing the nose without adding much.
Just guessing that the official tool is probably hard plastic that slides easily.
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That’s what I was referring to with the idea of getting a doorstop as an inexpensive alternative to the official measuring tool.
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You could probably easily 3-D print an imitation too. It wouldn’t be too difficult to map out.
I wonder if this change will impact noseband trends. Will we see more drops? How does it work for drops? Lol.
Some nosebands would have drastically different outcomes depending on fastening. I’m thinking of Figure 8 nosebands and the Tota Comfort Noseband system. Maybe this will defeat the purpose of them.
Here’s what I know about the noseband device at the moment. The device was extensively tested in all disciplines. The FEI Stewards I have talked with have noted the device was well tolerated by the horses they used the device on. Originally it was planned to implement this procedure January 1st, the start date has been pushed back to May 1 to allow for distribution and proper training. It is the intent that this would be made available to everyone, not just FEI officials (so no need to try to fabricate one or perform surgery on a rubber door stop to approximate it!) Method of distribution and cost to purchase hasn’t been determined yet. I had suggested that here in the US the devices be made available through USEF. When I know more I’ll be happy to post it on this thread. Just for reference I hold three FEI steward licenses (eventing, jumping and driving) and I am the Steward General for US Eventing.
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@Mack_the_Knife would you please put your post on the thread cross posted on the Dressage forum as well?
I’m all for loosely adjusted nosebands in dressage, and maybe even in show jumping. But galloping XC, with some of the technical “TURN NOW!” questions asked, a properly fitted figure-8 or flash should be allowed.
I say this as someone who doesn’t crank nosebands tight. I can fit a finger under my flashes at the bottom of the chin/jaw. But my finger is definitely thinner than this measurement tool. If the tool can fit under the button of a figure 8. that noseband isn’t adjusted correctly. It would be so loose that the straps would slip around, the button would move to the side, possibly even too low. A well-fitted figure 8 “cradles” the face and the horse should be able to comfortably eat a carrot; but it’s snug enough not to shift, and to help keep the mouth from gaping wide enough to slide a bit ring through.
When I galloped racehorses out in the open, most of them went in an “open” bridle with no noseband. For the strong ones (who may also have lacked steering), I always went to a figure-8 noseband before trying a bigger bit. A snug fitting figure-8 gave me much better control and kept me safer. I want that option available on xc, when galloping horses get strong (and tired) and the right response to the bridle can mean success or failure (injury).
I’m obviously not defending the right to too-tight nosebands; they should never pinch the cheeks or indent the muzzle when buckled, or so tight that it creates poll pressure. The horse really shouldn’t notice the noseband unless it gapes wide open to the point of affecting safety/control.
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Further information for FEI Competitors
https://fei.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f3c033c6fc400852db8365079&id=9126960ef3&e=133116b0c0
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As a general note, I have a device now, courtesy of the International Jumping Officials group, and played around a bit with it this past weekend. It is a hard smooth plastic. Husband’s horse is a sensitive OTTB, regular caveson with flash for dressage, figure 8 for jumping. Both reasonably snug but within the two finger tolerance. Absolutely no issues with passing the device through the nosebands and horse could have cared less.
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Appreciate this feedback. I was concerned because I’ve played bit and bridle roulette with my gelding and he much, much prefers a figure 8.
Most FEI eventing stewards will have the measuring device in the next week and will have them available at upcoming FEI events to play with prior to the May 1st start date. You will ALWAYS have the opportunity to have the noseband checked prior to warmup and competition.
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We used it in an FEI driving event a few weeks ago and it was very helpful. They tested tightness right as I went to first warm up and asked that it was loosened 1 hole, which was fine even though I knew the noseband would have been loose enough by the time I got down to final warm-up just prior to entering the ring, because once leather or beta warms up it really expands.
They also tested before AND3 after Marathon, because in our sport it is entirely possible that somebody could get off mid-course and tighten up the noseband. And they tested before the final phase, cones.
I Will say that these nosebands do need to be a lot looser than I thought. I had been playing around with a couple fingers under the noseband after it had been on for a while, approximating warm up time… But when they’re testing before rather than after competition, that’s going to require a fairly loose noseband. And in my case it really didn’t have any impact, but I’ll be interested to see how this plays out over time
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Were you at Grand Oaks?
The directive we have gotten for eventing is check before all three phases and after dressage and SJ. Post XC is getting a pass because it was felt horse cooldown and care took precedence.
Exactly how this is going to work is a bit unclear at the moment. We have a few months to help folks figure this out prior to implementation. And as I mentioned above, you will ALWAYS have the opportunity to adjust nosebands prior to warmup. Also, if you are worried about your horse’s reaction, you or your groom may perform the check under the supervision of a steward. Stewards don’t want to see anyone penalized- believe it or not they are there to help.
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Yep, spring fling at GO. Our TD was guarding his testing device like it was solid gold, apparently it was his wife’s, who was a dressage official in the Netherlands. I’m not sure they are in the hands of many driving officials yet, although you KNOW Marie will absolutely have one next week at LOI if the TD does not.
Interesting that they are doing before and after, although I suppose it wouldn’t be that difficult to retighten after the pre check. They may have tested after our dressage now that I think of it, I wasn’t paying that much attention since I was just relieved to be done with our first 3* test. And as you know it’s easy to do that check after marathon while your gator is doing green card stuff. Plus we have a lot of opportunities to tighten on course. I’m pretty certain that’s harder to pull off in eventing!
The distribution has been a bit slow. The eventing stewards that currently have them were either able to pick up directly at USEF or got them through their association with the International Jumping Officials. I expect that will change in the next few weeks as USEF mails the devices out this week.
The penalty for too tight is pretty stiff (elimination and yellow card) .
Good luck at Live Oak, I opted to stay home and officiate at Carolina (sleep at home, get a check😝) and am not planning on competing this year, lots of life things happening. Next year!
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I just purchased the device from this link, Kinda pricey for a little piece of plastic.
https://shop.fei.org/products/fei-measuring-device-3
It is amusing how they took glamour shots of it, like they are selling something people are going to buy because of how great it looks in the photos.
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The video was the icing on the cake. The pictures are clear. I have seen some 3D printer plans out already as well.
I debated scanning it and 3D printing a few copies as I can see my official growing legs around the barn. I could just keep the official in my show trunk. I want to engrave my name on it at least.
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I wonder if there will be disagreements about how hard to push. I could see some folks wanting to jam it through as the noseband digs in underneath and thinking that is “legal”
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