Can someone explain this bit to me? I’ve never seen one before, and I’m wondering if it would be legal at a show? This is from the article on the front page of COTH this morning.
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Wilson bit. The pressure that would be on the corners of the mouth is redistribute to the inner rings for cheek pressure. I don’t know anything about the legality.
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It’s a Jumper clinic, not Dressage. That bit would be fine.
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The first day of Dressage is up on the USEF Network section of CMH.
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If I had to guess, I’d say not legal. The rule book states
Only those bits listed in Figure 121.1, Figure 121.3, Figure 121.4, and Annex A are permitted.
Although this bit isn’t specifically prohibited, it’s not shown anywhere as legal.
If you want the definitive answer, though, go to the source and ask someone at USEF.
You’re right, I was thinking dressage. That makes sense.
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The USDF Dressage Training Series is happening in Wellington now as well, but the photo in question is of Ann Kursinski, who is training the young Jumper riders.
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This design is interesting. Are the reins attached to both rings? Just one?
The picture isn’t clear and sorry if the answer is deeper in the link you posted.
The reins connect to the rings that are attached to the mouthpiece and the bridle cheekpieces attach to the free rings.
Sorry if I’m dumb, what’s the point of the two rings then?.
You aren’t dumb. I looked it up. I’ve never ridden in that bit so I have no idea what the design is meant to do. 
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It’s confusing isn’t it?
Maybe a Jumper on the HJ forum knows, since it’s not a Dressage bit.
My guess is that it has a similar effect as a full cheek.
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I’ve seen this bit commonly in the driving world, but I don’t know the actual purpose
I’ve seen it on racehorses too. Just guessing it’s a steering thing.
According to Meisterrder.com:
"The Wilson snaffle, removes the action form the corners of the mouth, and replaces it with the ability to control via a squeezing action on the cheeks of the horse. This does not cause bruising, neither does it cause damage to the mouth. Because of the pressure it causes at the cheeks, the horse’s only release from the pressure (other than rider dropping rein) is to drop his head, upon dropping his head he receives instant reward for proper behavior.
Horses learn proper head position without the rider losing their position or miscuing the horse. This snaffle is good for young horses who have not yet learned proper head position or horses who pull and develop cracks at the corners of their mouths."
Oh boy. Riding for head position.
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Interesting.
I would have assumed it was meant for something like pressure distribution and keeping the bit from being able to slide through the mouth if the horse had the tendency to open their mouth to avoid the bit.
I hope it is not legal. I doubt that it is.
The bit in question is shown on a Jumper, not a Dressage horse.
