All good points. Since only a fraction of horses at USEF/UDSF shows are drug tested, I don’t understand the panic around bits. I can bet more people purposefully or inadvertently give their horses some kind of prohibited substance than use illegal bits. The protocols for vets regarding collecting urine or taking a blood samples are quite strict. From experience, I can tell you there is very little training for bit checkers beyond putting on gloves and having a printout of legal and illegal bits.
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As an eventer, I’m not understanding the outrage here. Bit and equipment check (spurs, whip if carried) is compulsory for every competitor. You get on, head toward warmup, find the bit check tent, a volunteer sticks a gloved finger in your horse’s mouth, checks your spurs, measures your whip, and marks you down on the list. 20 years ago they really DID put a colored sticker on your bridle number or boot top to designate that your bit had been checked, so the judge would know; that was before the option to have your bit checked after your ride. Now, no more stickers, but you are allowed to bit check after your ride if your horse is difficult. EVERY HORSE gets bit checked, and eventers think nothing of it, it’s our rules.
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At one of the rated shows I attended this summer, no fewer than 6 bits put on backwards were found in the tack check on the first morning. And there are usually one or two illegal bits at every show show too, in my experience.
What I don’t understand is why the current method of checking tack visually and with a gloved hand isn’t sufficient? As far as I know it has worked for years, without having to unbridle an amped up horse in a public area.
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The eventing way (I am an eventer) is a logical way. I have no issue w/ that. I DO have an issue with someone telling me to take off my bridle for the bit check, or dismount/remount before or after a test - I do dislike the disparaging comments about horses/riders who feel uncomfortable w/ that. My OTTB doesn’t like strangers; he can occasionally and unpredictably get really lit at shows. We tolerate bit checks and bonnet removals but he doesn’t like it. He’s probably classified as one of the ill mannered ones. Bridle removal for a bit check - no thanks. Wandering through the barns looking at bits? that seems an incredible waste of time…
What would I want? - the eventing way or don’t bother with it.
Someone will probably chime in about how I need to train him better/give him more exposure… Well, sure, but I keep him at home; I am his person and do all of his care at home and at shows. And he’s just not a friendly horse to strangers.
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When did the bit rule even come in to play?
Many years ago they changed the whip rule and the whips were shorter. Supposedly they did it because of ONE competitor who was using a long whip harshly. That was the rumor back then and guess what…the guy is still showing and being talked about for his harsh training. The whips returned to the longer length. The length of a whip has nothing to do with harsh training used correctly as we all know.
With all the bits out there they will need a degree to figure out what is legal anyway!
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Why isn’t this the norm in dressage? I didn’t realize that my experience (n=1) of having my bit checked and seeing everyone get their bit checked at the event I competed at is likely where I got the idea that would be standard in straight dressage as well.
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What was explained to us is that many of the newer bits are difficult to identify by feel. In particular the new “locking” snaffles, illegal for use as a bridoon.
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It sounds like volunteer/man power is partially an issue. I’ve only volunteered a few times for pure dressage, most of my experience bit checking is through eventers.
Even then it can be hard to be confident what you feel but not see in their mouth is legal. I can understand why dressage is looking for solutions that don’t involve a stranger poking a strange horse’s mouth.
Might be beating a dead horse here but it requires cooperation of multiple parties, it’s a specialized job that needs some level of experience, most shows have limited volunteers, and even with a perfectly behaved horse it can be difficult to verify by feel alone that a bit is legal. Just my n=1 as a bit checker. Having done it, I can completely understand the movement towards inspection sans horse. What I don’t understand is how the revised rule will truly cut down on illegal bit use or be a good use of an official / volunteer’s time. There would be nothing stopping competitors from having a legal bit for inspection hours before it is on the horse, and using a different bit for trotting down the centerline.
Eventers really streamlined the process, but again, it requires someone confident and willing to put their fingers at risk.
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I think a good idea that keeps volunteers out of the horse’s mouth but also keeps someone from walking around the barn and hoping to find bridles or having loose horses is to have the bit required to be checked to get rider number.
This bit could then have a small zip tie or similar item placed on the bit marking that it has been checked and is legal. I am thinking about the concerts that use wristbands as admission ticket - they can’t be removed without destroying. Or maybe some electrical type in a certain color.
USDF could have some of these rolls supplied to the shows to use as a marker that the bit has been checked, and then a small loop of it applied to the bit ring. Then judge/volunteer/etc could confirm the bit is legal.
This check could be done in a riders lounge/show office/etc at some point prior to the ride. And the judge/scribe could check that the bit has the marking that it is legal & place a checkmark on the test or something (quick visual check performed same time as checking rider’s number). If this checkmark is not here, the rider would have to show bit prior to receiving scores.
Just another idea.
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While I still believe the new rules and sudden need to enforce them so heavily is misguided and should be questioned… Leigh gives a really good alternative. It would be easy for me, as a scribe, to note there is tape on the ring of the bit.
If that affected ring movement, for example, tape instead around the buckle for the bit would serve the same purpose.
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This is brilliant! It would be so easy to grab your bridle to take to check in to get the bit marked and receive your number - no bridle, no number. Great view of the (clean too!!!) bit for the bit checker and bonus, bit checker gets to hang out in a comfortable location 
This would also be a huge benefit for people that have trouble with their directional bits. So easy for a bit checker properly versed in them to say, “Hey, you’re good, except you need to reverse the bit. Quick go ahead and do it right now and I’ll mark it so you can pick up your number at the next table.”
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I bet that there is some sort of tape that is thin enough to not affect movement through bit rings while also being tough enough to stand up to slobber.
Editing to add - Lookit what our bitching and complaining and tossing around ideas has come up with. Now … may the federation have a similarly productive session about their not-so-well thought out ideas of how to roll out the new rule.
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Ok, I keep seeing directional bits mentioned. I assume that means the KK arrow, as an example? Or is it a reference to upside down bauchers and such? Just wondering if KK’s are only allowed if installed one way and will otherwise result in elimination?
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IKR? I love all the pearl clutching of OMG don’t you know my horse is a DRESSAGE horse and could never possibly be taught simple manners of being able to drop the bridle in the open.
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Yes, and yes, getting one of those KKs with the arrows in the wrong way = elimination.
and in case H&H’s paywall doesn’t let you read that article:
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Neue Schule snaffles also have an arrow. They can only be used with the arrow pointing forward on the left side.
I have a turtle tactio bit and it took me several tries to get it on the right way!
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I don’t see this in USEF rules, did I miss it? Or is it solely a UK or FEI rule?
I’m not saying it is a bad rule to have! I have a KK with enough curvature that the wrong direction would clearly be problematic. I’ve just never seen that rule…
The rule won’t be a specific ‘arrow’ rule. It’s about the bit being in the horse in the correct way - not backwards or upside down. The arrow is a telltale to make sure you’ve assembled your bridle properly.
I’m trying to understand what kind of bit could be put on a bridle incorrectly without it not being obvious to the person bridling the horse that it was on incorrectly. With any bit I have ever owned, snaffle or weymouth, it would be obvious if it were put on backward or upside down or whatever the issue is.
I wonder if DuJardin bridles her own horses? Will someone please show me the sort of bit that can be put on incorrectly without it being obvious? I’m very curious.
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