Bits for Dressage

[sweetbriar]

Could someone please tell me which bits are OK to use for dressage. I understand that you are not supposed to use Myler bits. Is that true of the KK Sprenger ones as well?

[Lgd]

Some of the KK bits are illegal (training bit definitely illegal). There is at least one Myler bit that is legal but I'm not sure which one. Try and get hold of a copy of the British Dressage Rule book. If you can't find one PM me and give me your address and I'll photocopy the relevant pages and post them to you when I'm back at work next week.

[Dizzy]

Why are Myler bits illegal?

Lesley

[Mossy]

According to the bitbank KK Ultra training bits are dressage legal. I was told it is due to metal content. I assume that the Dressage folks do not see some of the Myler bits as pure snaffles.

[MadWoman]

I have also been assured that a KK training snaffle is legal, and my instructor regularly competes in one affiliated. They are the same metal throughout, and simply have a milder central link than a standard french link, so why should they be illegal?

[Alison+Rio]

I know the pinchless bits are illegal for dressage but at the lower levels they dont tend to check the bit. Well not when i used to compete but that was a while ago! I dont think gags are allowed either.

[sweetbriar]

I use a John Patterson eggbutt snaffle. I don't think they're illegal.
I was hoping to buy a KK training snaffle but I wanted to make sure it wasn't illegal.

I only do unaffilliated dressage and combined training. The combined training is run under Hunter Trials Rule (whatever that is).

[Sarah]

hello!

If the dressage is run under horse trials rules, that means that you can't have a caller and that you can't have a whip either.

bye!

[Zingy]

Most of the Myler bits aren't allowed as they've got copper inlays in them so they're not a single metal type. They only do 2 which are pure stainless steel without the copper as half of the point of the Myler range is the copper parts! Sprengers should be allowed as they're a single metal (the rule states that all parts of the bit in contact with the horses mouth must be of a single type of metal). Gags & waterfords aren't allowed under BDS rules. Having said all that, I know people at local dressage competitions who compete in Mylers, as the chances of having the bit checked are really small (and at that level you can always plead ignorance!)

[Sue&Tasha Green]

Are Kimblewicks allowed in Dressage? A horse at my sisters riding school wears one and she is trained to a high Dressage level.
Tasha

[Emma_G_NZ]

My pony was ridden in dressage in a French Link snaffle,But I only ride him in a good old eggbutt!

[Lgd]

Kimblewicks are not allowed in dressage competition run under affiliated dressage or riding club/pony club/british eventing rules. I believe the pony club do allow their use in the D level tests but after that it is snaffle only.

The only curb bit permitted is the bit used in a double bridle combination. If this mare has been used in high level competition this may be why she is being ridden in a kimblewick as most riders have enough problems with one set of reins, never mind two!

Having said that any dressage horse should be able to be worked in a snaffle - it would be really interesting to have a Prix St George test ridden in a snaffle, I bet there would be some red faces afterwards.