Dressage is supposed to be about the good of the horse, and showcasing the natural beauty of the horse.
If the horse is happier and more expressive in a snaffle, I see no disadvantage in allowing it.
If the rider simply doesn’t feel like spending $300 on a new bridle and bits, I see no disadvantage in allowing it.
The reality is that most riders at PSG are going to want the double, just for the pictures. 
Haha, honestly, I’ve always thought that rule was strange. I’m one who always has spurs on my boots because I have enough control to either use them or not depending on what is needed. I think most pros (and hopefully most ammies) riding at FEI levels have no problem riding with spurs and probably would anyway, so I always thought it was interesting that they are required and not just allowed. (And really, they’re not actually required because you can use dummy spurs instead, right?)
Spurs are similar in some ways to a curb bit in that they are a more severe tool that requires a more skilled rider to use them delicately. They can also be misused for control just like the curb bit.
I think the initial use for both spurs and the curb bit was to allow a more refined communication between rider and horse. So some could make the argument that riding/training at the FEI levels in a snaffle (or without spurs) is often more challenging (I would agree with that argument in regards to many horses). This depends on the horse and rider, but it’s an interesting way to think about it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a “dumbing down” of dressage.
“Large lumps of metal” (known as “bits” to most horsemen 
) are required equipment at all levels of dressage. Acceptance of (on the part of the horse) and knowledge of the proper use of (on the part of the rider) those bits (plural) at the FEI levels is indicative of mastery of the training and skills necessary to compete at those levels.
Really, Equibrit, you’re one person to whom I would have thought this to be obvious, as your expertise is evident in all of your posts. I’m a bit taken aback. 
$300 really just covers the bits, figure $500 or more for the bridle and bits :no:
I’m with you, this is about making horses more comfortable. Sure there are smaller bits, and all kinds of configurations, high port, low port, no port, thick, thin, long shanks, short shanks, swivel shanks. But for the horse with a small mouth, two bits may never be comfortable. It doesn’t matter whether the horse is a cob or a pony or a draft, it is all about how much room is in their mouth. I’ve seen some big horses with very small, short mouths, and some small horses. Some horses also have fat lips that makes two bits a tougher fit.
I agree, it’s about time. Many FEI riders and judges have campaigned for this for years.
I see far more people USING double bridles that shouldn’t be, and FEI horses that can’t even be ridden in a snaffle. I see that as a far bigger problem than someone who wants to show PSG in a snaffle.
Then again, there are those horses whose mouth conformation just will never be comfortable in the double bridle, but who have the training and inclination to perform at the FEI levels. Some even without spurs! Why we excluded these horses or penalized them for “resistance” for so long is beyond me. Why change takes so long in this sport also is a mystery. I mean, the horses can do changes instantly, repeatedly and in multiples in a few seconds. It is we who are the slow learners.
Most FEI riders I have personally watched outside of the show ring, school more often in the snaffle than in the double.
It used to be a badge of accomplishment to be permitted to wear spurs and to use a double bridle.
Precision riding and precision instuments. Without the solid seat and independent light hands that allow their correct use you don’t have a rider ready for those levels of riding.
I’m not impressed by this change.
Yeah, I was cheap - I just bought bits and a bradoon hanger. But heaven help me if I’d missed the right bits on the first try.
[QUOTE=D_BaldStockings;4167131]
It used to be a badge of accomplishment to be permitted to wear spurs and to use a double bridle.
Precision riding and precision instuments. Without the solid seat and independent light hands that allow their correct use you don’t have a rider ready for those levels of riding.
I’m not impressed by this change.[/QUOTE]
And so it will take a rider who really doesn’t care what people think to ride PSG in a snaffle.
It used to be a badge of accomplishment to ride in a top hat. The rider is no less of a rider if she competes FEI in an ASTM helmet, and the rules now allow this.
I can understand people being upset if a snaffle was mandatory at PSG, but I don’t get the handwringing about allowing it.
Spurs are a funny thing too. Yes, the rider should be able to control the leg to ride with a spur. But, on some horses, with some riders, they will get rubs from the spur - not just the tip but also even the yoke of the spur around the boot. It’s a pain in the butt to deal with. Yes, you just leave it off except for the show. But, is it really so awful if a rider if a rider wants to leave the spurs off?
[QUOTE=poltroon;4167141]
Yeah, I was cheap - I just bought bits and a bradoon hanger. But heaven help me if I’d missed the right bits on the first try.[/QUOTE]
:lol::lol::lol: FEI on the cheap :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=FriesianX;4167121]
I see far more people USING double bridles that shouldn’t be, and FEI horses that can’t even be ridden in a snaffle. I see that as a far bigger problem than someone who wants to show PSG in a snaffle.[/QUOTE]
Have to agree with this. Not sure why anyone is upset that it is allowed to ride PSG in a snaffle. If you want to use the double, go right ahead.
I know their are ammies out there that couldn’t begin to get through even a 3rd level test with their horse in a snaffle. Like FriesianX said, that seems to be a worse problem than someone being capable of riding a good PSG test in a snaffle.
[QUOTE=bort84;4166660]
Though I agree anyone riding at FEI levels should have the ability to properly use a double bridle, I wouldn’t mind seeing horses in the snaffle at those levels. If the horse can do all of the FEI movements in a snaffle just as well or better than he can in the double, why not use that instead? You can say the horse should be trained to the point he can accept the double, but I tend to think of the curb bit as a refined tool that may not be necessary for every horse to perform at those levels.
In general, I think most horses do better in a double at those levels because the two bits add precision to the hand to mouth communication. But, if you can accomplish the same thing in a snaffle, why not?
Again, I think any rider in the FEI levels really should be very accomplished and have the hands to use a double. So let’s assume and hope the riders can use a double but have chosen to use a snaffle because the horse prefers and works better in it.
I’m pretty sure one of the old masters (cannot for the life of me remember which one right now) said that he always preferred a snaffle and that he felt a curb had no place in dressage due to the type of contact that is required in dressage. He said he only used a double bridle because it was mandatory for competition but did not think it was necessary or the best tool for the job. Just some food for thought. I’ll look around and see if I can find where I saw that quote = )[/QUOTE]
I’ve heard similar comments.
Yea for the rule passers! :yes:
Why do you assume those that prefer to ride in a snaffle lack a solid seat and independent light hands? Do you really think that the people that show psg in a snaffle are going to be the poorer riders? I do not. If that were the case, you would see more riders showing in snaffles at 3rd and 4th, and there are few of them.
[QUOTE=FriesianX;4167121]
$300 really just covers the bits, figure $500 or more for the bridle and bits :no:[/QUOTE]
Really… there are qualms about the COST of something in dressage??? If one rides a higher level, really, $500 for a bridle is not much more than a spit in the bucket. (and this is coming from someone now who is living on loans)
I think other poster have been right… that the ability to control the minute intricacies and the “power steering” that id given by the double bridle, and spurs… is what shows that the rider is able to move up the levels.
I’m a good driver, but I wouldn’t want all the confusion of a race car, the level of instruments is too high for my level of knowledge.
race car----- double bridle
The PSG national classes are not the same as cdi’s and other more crucial classes. I think this is fine.
The PSG national classes are a good place for people to learn and grow in their riding. I think it is fine.
[QUOTE=ESG;4167079]
“Large lumps of metal” (known as “bits” to most horsemen ) are required equipment at all levels of dressage. Acceptance of (on the part of the horse) and knowledge of the proper use of (on the part of the rider) those bits (plural) at the FEI levels is indicative of mastery of the training and skills necessary to compete at those levels.
Really, Equibrit, you’re one person to whom I would have thought this to be obvious, as your expertise is evident in all of your posts. I’m a bit taken aback. [/QUOTE]
I think it requires more skill to ride a horse at those levels without more hardware ! Whatever your take on the skill required the new rule allows MORE alternatives - and that is good. The skill level of the rider or trainer does not automatically rise because you slap a full bridle on a horse, but the LACK of it would show in a snaffle. Imagine what would happen if you asked everybody to show without a cavesson !! Would that display acceptance of the bit ?
Thank you. Exactly my points. :yes:
And allow riders inexpert/inexperienced in the proper use of a double bridle to bypass that part of their training and show PSG before they’re ready. It’s not just about exhibiting the horse’s training, you know - the rider has to know his/her stuff, too.
Imagine what would happen if you asked everybody to show without a cavesson !! Would that display acceptance of the bit ?
No, because at FEI one can only have a plain cavesson. Of course, crank cavessons are legion, but the elite few you refer to would have horses that go in snaffles, so wouldn’t have to resort to those, eh? Oh, and if you show PSG in a snaffle, it follows that one can use a flash, drop or Kineton cavesson. So your point just went out the window.
Oh, hell, why not just let everyone who wants to, show FEI in a hackamore or sidepull. How many threads have we seen about riders saying, “My horse can do all that stuff (FEI requirements) in a bitless bridle - why can’t I show in one?”
What would your answer be to them, I wonder? Why would they be different from those who are proponents of the snaffle at PSG? Why not just throw the rule book out and let everyone ride everything in whatever blows their skirts up? :rolleyes:
In short, where does it stop?
It stops with the snaffle at the PSG in the national classes, which I don’t think is that big a deal.
Says who?
I said “everybody” !
Because acceptance of the bit is what it is all about.
NOT - having your horse’s mouth strapped shut around the bit.
NOT - putting so much metal in the mouth that it overpowers the horse.
NOT - keeping the horse so far BTV that he can’t work
etc, etc…
If you can do more with less it is always a better alternative.
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