Could you please tell me what brands of bauchers you are using that are legal under USEF dressage rules? I know the baucher itself is legal, but I am not sure which ones are within the specified limits for length of cheekpieces. Unfortunately my local tack shops don’t carry any bauchers, so I was unable to get any measurements. Thanks so much. 
Hi I have several sizes of Bauchers made by Neue Schule that are legal. I got from ebay, but you can buy them in the u.s. right here:
I believe the only one that is not legal (other than ones that might have twisted mouthpieces) is the Balkenhol one, and since I’m not about to spend $150 for a bit, I don’t worry about that one, as pretty as it is. All the standard Bauchers are legal.
[QUOTE=Sandy M;3119607]
I believe the only one that is not legal (other than ones that might have twisted mouthpieces) is the Balkenhol one, and since I’m not about to spend $150 for a bit, I don’t worry about that one, as pretty as it is. All the standard Bauchers are legal.[/QUOTE]
According to dressage extensions, the Balkenhol baucher is legal under USAE rules:
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=1049
The USEF rule book doesn’t have any measurements for the Baucher, are you sure it was the cheekpieces that were not legal and not the bit itself? Or were there more rules before?
As long as the snaffle part connects directly to the bit and has no hooks, it’s not considered a leverage bit afaik.
I recently spoke to the folks at both usdf and usea on legality of the wh bits at lower levels and threw in this question too as the kk version of the boucher if my bit of choice right now. I was told the Kk b ring is indeed legal, but that the wh bits with the disc in the lozenge are only legal FEI high performance…my trainer recommended I get that in writing just in case…
I use the Myler Comfort mouth baucher
I think the reason the KB baucher is not “legal” for dressage is that the mouthpiece is fixed at the bottom part of the ring, therefore actually giving it the potential for some leverage/poll pressure effect, whereas a traditional baucher gives no poll pressure.
JackSpratsMom–where did you get yours?
The KB butterfly/B cheek IS now legal.
I have… erm… (blushes) Two JP Bauchers, one normal single joint snaffle, the other French Link had to have a friend in England buy them and mail them over as for some dumb reason they’re not available here. An Albacon (not curved enough for His Princeness–the arms are really straight) Two Neue Schules–a comfy contact, which is their version of the Myler Comfort Mouth, but in sweet iron; and one that looks exactly like a KK mouth, in German Silver. (too thick & not curved enough.) A very nicely curved HS single joint, which I completely SCORED at the Dover Final Sale room. I have not actually seen it listed anywhere–it’s their curved mouth line, in a GS Baucher. I haven’t found another (would like to for a bradoon) Lastly I have a french link SS one that might be borderline legal because I believe the arms might be too narrow measured a certain way. I remember someone posting they got disqual’d for it ages ago. I can find the brand for you if you’re interested, but it IS the simple french link one in Dressage Extension’s catalogue.
I have so many because my guy simply ADORES his ancient NeverRust Pelham. Goes like a dream with the curb rein tied up. So I’ve been trying to find something legal that he goes as well in. The HS regular mouth so far seems to be the ticket. The JP single joint is a close tie for second with the NS comfy contact.
Currently using the NS CC as a bradoon. May get down to changing bridles and trying the HS as the bradoon… but the NS CC seems to be a good fit and he is relatively happy in it.
KB baucher is totally legal. I use it and love it. My absolutely favorite snaffle for my fidgety horse as there is not a liot of wiggling with it.
[QUOTE=Eventer13;3119640]
According to dressage extensions, the Balkenhol baucher is legal under USAE rules:
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=1049[/QUOTE]
But the new DE catalog says it is not “FEI” legal. Confusing. Does FEI even care about anything under PSG? or are they saying “Don’t use one as a bridoon”? Or I suppose, not in the “High Performance” classes?
Not JSM, but you can get them at the Virginia Tack Outlet online:
And also directly from Toklat:
oh, thank you. I loff VTO. They have the small ring ones too–going to try it as a bradoon for a fussy horse whose favorite bit is a pelham.
Thanks all for the wonderful info, so many choices!!!
Not to hijack the thread, but can anyone tell me if this bit is legal:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2270674230094185958qIuzBT
I’m posting here because it is very similar to a baucher.
According to my friend’s bit book, it is a slotted D-ring jointed snaffle. I can’t find it anywhere.
[QUOTE=atr;3120423]
I think the reason the KB baucher is not “legal” for dressage is that the mouthpiece is fixed at the bottom part of the ring, therefore actually giving it the potential for some leverage/poll pressure effect, whereas a traditional baucher gives no poll pressure.[/QUOTE]
Where is the supposed leverage coming from when (as is the case with the KK B-ring) both ends of your lever (cheekpiece attachment and rein attachment) are on the same side of your fulcrum (mouthpiece)?
AND, the KB baucher IS legal.
I use the Neue Schule Training Lozenge Baucher, which I bought from Hastilow USA. I converted from the KK ULtra B-Ring Baucher, which is legal for FEI but not legal for USEA eventing.
