BIT DICTIONARY 2016 The Pony Club Association of – Dictionary 2016

GENERAL GUIDELINES ON BITS

 The must have a bit in the mouth

 The bit should be checked for wear or rough surfaces, attention being given to any central joint of a bit.

 The bit is not to be considered cruel or uncomfortable and must have sufficient clearance each side of the horse’s mouth.

 Corrugated or ridged bits are not permitted.

 Bits must lie in the correct position in the horse’s mouth (refer “Riding” p67)

 When examining a bit in a horse’s mouth, this need not be removed unless it particularly requires checking, in which case the competitor must be dismounted and proper safety precautions observed.

 Tongue ties are not permitted.

 The must be attached to the bit or running through as in the case of a .

 Curb chains should come in contact with the chin only when the cheek pieces are at 45 degrees. Chains should have a cover.

 All bits with curb chains attached must have a on the top ring (at the bit). Rounders or split reins may be used.

 Fine bits may not have a diameter of less than 6mm in the centre of the and 8mm at the outside of the mouthpiece.

 Rubber cheekers if used must be entirely smooth on both sides.

 The use of dropped , Hanoverian nosebands or any which fits in the horse’s curb groove, is not permitted when a is being used.

 Bits not to be modified in any way

2

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Snaffle Bits - all disciplines

The following snaffle bits may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club. They may be made from , , sweet iron. They may be coated in rubber. They may be synthetic, nylon, “apple” or “happy mouth”

Eggbutt Snaffle Dee Snaffle

French Link Snaffle Loose Ring Snaffle

Mullen Mouth Snaffle Loose Ring Eggbutt

KK Training Bit Baucher Bit or “Hanging” Snaffle

DR SJ EQ SR SP CD MG PX

Sporting Show riding Show Camp drafting Camp Show Jumping

Offset Dee Snaffle

3

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Snaffle Bits – with discipline restriction

The following snaffle bits may be used for various disciplines in Pony Club, but not all. They may be made from stainless steel, copper, sweet iron. They may be coated in rubber. They may be synthetic, nylon, “apple” or “happy mouth”

Full Cheek Snaffle – May be single jointed or FM Snaffle – Should be used with FM French link Keepers

DR SJ EQ SR SP CD MG DR SJ EQ SR SP CD MG

Tom Thumb Snaffle Half Spoon Snaffle – May be Mullen mouth or jointed

DR SJ EQ SR SP CD MG DR SJ EQ SR SP CD MG

Cherry Roller Snaffle Looped Dee Bit

SJ SR SP CD MG PX SJ SR SP CD MG PX

Magenis Snaffle Copper Roller Snaffle

SJ SR SP CD MG PX SJ SR SP CD MG PX

4

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Snaffle Bits – with discipline restriction

Dr Bristol Snaffle Waterford Snaffle

SJ SR SP CD MG PX SJ SR SP CD MG PX

Camp draft Bit Waterford Snaffle with Cheekbars

SJ SP CD MG PX SJ SR SP CD MG

Pee Wee Bit

SJ SP CD MG PX

5

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Curb Chain Bits

The following bits may be rubber coated. They may be Port mouth, Mullen mouth, Single Jointed or French Snaffle jointed. The curb chain may have a curb chain cover (optional).

For Polocrosse, Rounders must be worn.

SJ SR SP CD MG PX Weymouth Sets may be used for Show riding.

Kimblewick 2 Loop French Pelham

Slotted Kimblewick or Spanish Snaffle Rugby Pelham

Pelham Pelham Rounders or Equalisers can be used to convert the double reins to a single rein.

Forked Reins/Divided Reins/Splitters can be used to convert the double reins to a single rein Curb Chain Cover prevents chain from pinching. Rungs through Curb Chain ring to prevent loss of chain. Weymouth Set

6

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Gag Bits

The following bits may be rubber coated. They may be single jointed or French link jointed.

SJ SP CD MG PX

Pessoa/Dutch/Continental or 3-Ring Gag French Gag Snaffle

Loop Ring Gag Snaffle Half Ring Gag Snaffle

Polo Gag Snaffle Eggbutt Gag Snaffle

Gag Straps may be leather, rope or nylon

7

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Western Bits

The following bits may be used for in Pony Club. When competing Western riding classes in these bits the horse must be 5 years and over.

Cheyenne Mullen Mouth Cheyenne Snaffle

Argentine Snaffle (thick mouth) Sweet Iron C Bit Port

Bridles

Micklem Competition The use of Micklem Competition bridle without the use of the bit clips is permitted for use at Pony Club rally days, Dressage, Jumping Equitation, Showjumping and One Day Event competitions.

8

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Nosebands

Drop Noseband Figure 8/Crossover/Grackle/Mexican Drop Nosebands may be used for all or High Ring Noseband disciplines in Pony Club Figure 8 Nosebands may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club

Cavesson Noseband Kineton Cavesson Nosebands may be used for all Noseband disciplines in Pony Club Kineton Nosebands may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club except Dressage and Jumping Equitation

Hanoverian/Flash Noseband Hanoverian Nosebands may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club

9

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Martingale and Breastplates

Running Running Martingales may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club EXCEPT Dressage and Jumping Equitation. They Rein Stoppers should be fitted with Rein Stoppers and Martingale Stoppers at all times

Martingale Stoppers

Breastplates

Breastplates may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club and are mandatory for Polocrosse. When fitted with a Running Martingale they may not be used for Dressage or Jumping Equitation

Standing Martingale or “Head Check” Standing Martingales or “Head Checks” may only be used for Polocrosse, and Horse Ball.

Leather or Rubber Bit Guards Bit Guards may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club except Dressage or Jumping Equitation. Must have round edges

10

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Spurs

Dummy type, the neck not exceeding 30mm in length and must not be under 7mm in width at the point of the neck. The neck if curved must point downward and the neck must jut from the centre back of the heel. Short necked roller ball (rubber/synthetic/steel) are permitted for use at Pony Club. Bumper Spurs are permitted for use at Pony Club. SPORTING & CAMPDRAFTING COMPETITIONS — Spurs Members have the option of wearing rowel spurs as defined: The length of the shank not to exceed 4.5 cm from the shank to the centre of the rowel. The rowel at its tip or outside edge is to be as thick as a $2 coin.

Dummy Spurs Dummy Spurs with No Shank Maximum length 30mm. May be used for all disciplines other than Mounted Games

Spurs with Steel Under Foot Spurs with Rubber-Covered Arms

Impulse Spurs with Hard Plastic Soft Touch Roller Spurs Knob These spurs must have a rounded smooth roll.

11

The Pony Club Association of New South Wales – Bit Dictionary 2016

Spurs

Spurs with Smooth Rowels Spurs with Smooth or Blunt Daisy Verticle Rowel as thick as a $2 coin. Shank Rowels length maxiumum 30mm. (Horizontal or Vertical rowel as thick as May be used for Dressage, , a $2 coin). Shank length maximum Dressage & Horse Ball 45mm. May be used for Sporting, Campdrafting, Polocrosse and Horse Ball.

Swan Neck Spurs Bumper Spurs Maximum Shank length 45mm. May be used for Showjumping, Jumping May be used for all disciplines except Cross Equitation, Campdrafting, Sporting, Country & Mounted Games Polocrosse & Horse Ball.

Spur Straps The Straps holding the in place must fit the boot closely. Permitted straps may be leather, metal, synthetic or rubber.

12