BITS & PIECES DICTIONARY 2021

BITS, , AND MARTINGALES

GENERAL GUIDELINES ON BITS ⚫ Snaffle bits should always be used. A snaffle has either a straight mouthpiece, a single joint or double joint. The and cheek strap attach to the same ring (with the exception of a Bouche snaffle). The Wilkie is now permitted (except in ) (the rein must be able to move within the ring). The mouthpiece may be of metal, rubber, nylon or other synthetic material and must be smooth (not twisted). ⚫ and are forbidden (unless doing camp drafting)- a bit must be in the horse's mouth at all times while being ridden with attached to that bit in competition. ⚫ Bitless are permitted only at Pony Club Rally Days (unless you have an exsmption), only specific types are permitted, and must be approved by the Chief Instructor who fills in the application form found on the PCASA website, and the form is to be forwarded to PCASA Head office ⚫ ⚫ Cheek guards are permitted but not for dressage and if used must be entirely smooth on both sides. ⚫ Chin straps be permitted at rallies as a training aid and are not to be used in competition, must not be too tight.

⚫ 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.

⚫ Sharp, corrugated or ridged bits are not permitted.

⚫ Bits must lie in the correct position in the horse’s mouth

⚫ If the gear checker feels that there is a legitimate reason to remove the bit for checking then the rider must dismount and a must be placed onto the horse while the bit is examined.

⚫ Tongue ties are not permitted.

⚫ The reins must be attached to the bit.

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

⚫ All bits with curb chains attached must have a rein on the top ring (at the bit) or equalizers may be used.

⚫ The use of dropped nosebands, 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

All bits allowed for Dressage are also allowed for all other disciplines

Snaffle Bits – All Disciplines

The following snaffle bits may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club. 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”

Eggbutt Snaffle Dee Snaffle

French Link Snaffle Loose Ring Snaffle

Mullen Mouth Snaffle Loose Ring Eggbutt

KK Training Bit Baucher Bit or “Hanging” Snaffle

Offset Dee Snaffle

Offset D Snaffle

WTP Bit

Full cheek Snaffle – may be single FM Snaffle – should be used with FM keepers jointed or French link

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

Avacallo Sensitive Equisoft Bit Bomber Loose Ring Happy Tongue

Snaffle Bits – with Discipline Restrictions

Wilkie Bit – the rein must be able to move within the ring not permitted in Dressage

Copper Roller Snaffle MB03 Eggbutt Mylor bit Not permitted in Dressage Not permitted in dressage

6.5.3 Associate and senior riders who hold their C certificate and have a green card issued and adult riders with the exception of the PCASA banned list be allowed to use any approved EA bit. 6.5.1 Myler bits level one mouthpieces MB01R, MB02R, MB03R, MB09R, MB10R Myler bits cheeks, loose ring, loose ring with sleeve, English D ring, dee without hooks, English egg-butt, boucher, half cheek, full cheek No cheek with hooks is allowed for Dressage. R=regular The W tongue lay is allowed. This is not a bit but may be used in conjunction with a correctly fitted bit to prevent a horse getting it's tongue over the bit.

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 must have a curb chain cover. These bits must be used as a complete unit.

Kimblewick Slotted Kimblewick or Spanish Pelham

Pelham Equalisers must be used to

convert the double reins to a Pelham single rein

Forked Reins/Divided Reins/Splitters are not permitted

Weymouth Set

Curbed Chain Cover prevents chain from pinching. Rungs through Curb Chain ring to prevent loss of chain

All Pelhams must be used complete with equalisers. (The equaliser on the Balanced Pelham must be at least 20cm in length measured between the buckles.) The split rein form of Balanced Pelham is not permitted. If a chain is used it must be fitted with a chain guard.

Curb Chain Bits

The following bit may be rubber coated. It may be single jointed or French link jointed. The Pessoa or Dutch gag is permitted with the reins either in the bit ring or with the use of equalizers. Also known as the continental or 3 ring gag. It may have 2 or 3 rings

Bridles

Bridles can be made of leather or PVC. The brow band and throatlash must not be too tight or too loose. A suitable permitted noseband must be worn

Micklem Competition The use of the Micklem Competition Bridle and Comfit Bridles are permitted The use of these bridles is only allowed without the use of the bit clips where fitted at Pony Club Rally Days, Dressage, Jumping , and One Day Event competitions

Bitless Bridles Bitless Bridles are permitted only at Pony Club Rally Days, only (unless you have an exemption) specific types are permitted, and must be approved by the Chief Instructor who fills in the application form found on the PCASA website, and the form is to be forwarded to PCASA Head office

Dr Cook with sliding Side Pull Bridle which NOT PERMITTED – Chin strap is permitted is a very kind bitless with crossed straps Bridle – is permitted under the jaw. Also not permitted are Rope Bitless bridles /

Nosebands

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

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

Leather or Rubber Bit Guards Bit Guards may be used for all

disciplines in Pony Club except Dressage. Must have round edges

NOT PERMITTED – John Whitaker Noseband (pictured below)– Nosebands can be made of leather or PVC only.

Martingales & Breastplates

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

Rein Stoppers at all times

Martingale Stoppers

Breastplates

Breastplates may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club. When fitted with a Running Martingale they may not be used for Dressage

Correctly fitted standing or fixed martingales are permitted for mounted games & novelties only A standing martingale consists of a strap that attaches to the and runs between the horse’s front legs up to the back of the noseband. This runs through a neck strap which fastens around the neck and keeps the martingale close to the horse. This type of martingale should only be fitted to a cavesson noseband or similar and if correctly fitted, the main strap should be able to touch the throat lash when raised. A stopper must be used above the chest piece.

Spurs

Dummy type, the neck not exceeding 35mm 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) spurs are permitted for use at Pony Club. Bumper Spurs are permitted for use at Pony Club.

Dummy Spurs Maximum length 35mm. May be used for all disciplines other than Mounted Games

Spurs with rubber covered arms

Soft Touch Roller Spurs Straps These spurs must have The straps holding the spur in place A rounded smooth roll must fit the boot closely. Permitted straps may be leather, metal, synthetic or rubber