Rules question: bits with rollers

[cllane1]

I’m looking at the rule book right now at the pics and descriptions of the permitted bits, and bit 16 is described as “Snaffle with rotating middle piece. Only as illustrated.”

The illustration is here (sorry, couldn’t find an individual image of just the bits): https://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2014/13-EV.pdf

On page 79.

These are two bits that I’m looking at:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/happy-mouth-double-jointed-roller-full-cheek-7141p

https://www.smartpakequine.com/happy-mouth-double-jointed-roller-dee-4751p

What sayest COTH: legal or not? And if not, can you point out a pic of a roller bit that is legal?

Many thanks!

[GutsNGlory]

Based on the illustration provided in the rules, I believe the Herm Springer WH Ultra is the bit they are referring to as the only legal bit with a roller (this is the bit I use for Dressage):

http://www.doversaddlery.com/herm-sprenger-wh-ultra-loose-ring-snaffle-bit/p/X1-01894/

[scubed]

Those bits are not legal. When I TD I often run into this issue because many people think this is legal. This is my response from Malcolm Hook who is the go to:

The only bit with a center roller that is legal for Eventing dressage is the one in illustration #16. The roller is a small disc in the center. So, no the Happy Mouth peanut roller is not permitted for dressage.

Malcolm

[cllane1]

OK, that makes sense with the picture of the Sprenger. Next question: is there a cheaper or generic bit that has that mouthpiece?

[scubed]

I don’t know that such a bit would be legal. Some thoughts would be:
http://smile.amazon.com/Happy-Mouth-King-French-Link/dp/B002HW0H3O/ref=smi_www_rcolv2_go_smi?_encoding=UTF8&Version=1&entries=0"]Happy Mouth French Link

http://www.sstack.com/product/myler-dee-sweet-iron-comfort-snaffle"]Myler comfort snaffle

The nathe - although it is certainly not a lower cost option and in the past there have been some issues with the center piece (I think they’ve been fixed http://www.marystack.com/nathe-double-jointed-loose-ring-snaffle.html

JP with copper link

[pony_grandma]

[QUOTE=cllane1;7742781]
OK, that makes sense with the picture of the Sprenger. Next question: is there a cheaper or generic bit that has that mouthpiece?[/QUOTE]

Stalk ebay. I bought the WH Ultra and a Sprenger full cheek Dynamic http://equestrian.doversaddlery.com/saddlery/full-cheek-snaffle-bit each for under $100 by waiting for them. Know your mouth size. I think the WH I pd about $83 and the Dynamic was $90 something.

[cllane1]

So if I’m reading Sprenger’s web site correctly, it looks like the only bits that have the rotating mouthpiece are the WH Ultra line and the Dynamic RS? And it looks like the cheek options are loose ring and D ring?

Pony Grandma, did you say you’d found one in a full cheek? That’s what I’d love to find! Also, you mention knowing your size. Do these bits tend to differ from a horse’s usual size?

Before I shell out for the legal bit, I may try something like this to see if he even likes it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Eggbutt-Three-Piece-Snaffle-Horse-Bit-Copper-Roller-Size-5-Inch-/311073829721?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486d71f359

We currently alternate between a French link baucher and a full cheek rubber single joint snaffle. Horse is incredibly mouthy and is continuously grinding, chewing, swallowing, and trying to get his tongue over the bit, so I wondered if a roller mouthpiece might be worth trying.

(We are working with vets and dentist to make sure there are no physical issues involved not just with teeth and jaw but with back and neck also.)

[scubed]

Horse is incredibly mouthy and is continuously grinding, chewing, swallowing, and trying to get his tongue over the bit,

My guy like this did incredibly well in the baucher Myler comfort snaffle with a Micklem Competition Bridle. After trying about 10 different bits on him, this was the one that finally steadied him in the contact.

After two years of that, he is stronger and better trained and I have switched to a Sprenger EggButt

[PoohLP]

Second the myler comfort snaffle. My horse, who is very mouthy with the bit and very busy with his tongue, really likes his. I think it is the wide MB 4 that I have. The center piece isn’t a roller, it is solid an the two ends rotate inside it. Allows you to have the independent movement on each side without the nutcracker action on the tongue. You can get it with just about any ring type.

[Heinz_57]

Third the Myler. The ticket for my busy-mouthed chomper is apparently the MB02 with a D ring cheek (no hooks!) combined with a dropped noseband. I found the Myler used for less than $50.

[cllane1]

I’ve been wondering about the Mylers too. Are all of the comfort snaffle mouths legal, or just certain ones? And how do you know which length of barrel to get?

Planning a run by the tack store tonight to scope out what they’ve got.

[scubed]

Legal for eventing dressage are: 01, 02, 09, 10 in eggbutt, dees and full cheeks (WITHOUT hooks), loose ring and Baucher. My guy was in the 02 mouthpiece Baucher cheeks.

[Heinz_57]

Are they still doing the rental program thing? Might be something to check on, if you can’t find one used or to borrow and try out.

And I feel the need to add that my particular horse has recently had his teeth done by a team of very qualified vets, just so nobody thinks I’m just strapping his mouth shut and hitting the ignore button. :lol: It did take some playing around with adjusting the height of the bit at first - with the significantly curved shanks, I ended up setting it quite a bit lower than the traditional two-wrinkle rule.

[Meadow36]

Tack Shack in Ocala will rent the Mylers; not sure if they will do it long distance but it’s worth sending an email and asking. Smartpak might be another place to try for a rental.

I love my level 1 Myler dee. I actually didn’t realize it was dressage legal until now (I use it for both other phases and for everyday schooling). Word of advice - do NOT buy a knock off. They have been known to break in the horse’s mouth. Stick with the name brand.

[cllane1]

I found an eggbutt Myler MB 02 mouth on a FB group for $50 so I’m going to snag that and see how it works. If I need to check out the Sprenger route, it looks like Dressage Extensions and BOB both have rental programs.

[PoohLP]

[QUOTE=cllane1;7743941]
I found an eggbutt Myler MB 02 mouth on a FB group for $50 so I’m going to snag that and see how it works. If I need to check out the Sprenger route, it looks like Dressage Extensions and BOB both have rental programs.[/QUOTE]

I worked with this place:

http://www.marystack.com/

They were really great, made some great recommendations, ordered what I needed when they didn’t have what I wanted in stock and sent me multiple bits to try and gave me an extra two weeks to try them when the weather kept me from trying mine when I first got them.

PS, the MB-32 also is dressage legal.