Is this bit dressage legal?

[Iron Maiden]

http://www.aivly.com/product_82026.htm

I'm hoping it is - after all, it's basically a French link snaffle with a lozenge - but the two halves of the bit can move independently because of the revolving link in the middle, which is not a normal thing for a French link to do. Anyone know for sure whether this is dressage legal? Thanks!

[Bobbin]

Are they going to open your horses mouth and see what the joint is? I doubt it, if the cheek pieces are legal then don't worry about the mouth bit.

[Iron Maiden]

But Bobbin, if I break the rules it'll be bad Karma and I'll have an unhappy and tormented life :(

I think you are probably right though :)

[Bobbin]

But Bobbin, if I break the rules it'll be bad Karma and I'll have an unhappy and tormented life :(

I think you are probably right though :)

You make a good point but if you ride in a bit that you can't stop in, you may get thrown into a fence....and that would hurt;)

[Iron Maiden]

Ooooh no it's not for brakes! I only bought it because it was the only French link full cheek in the tack shop that came in a 5.75" - she's got an inbetweeny sized mouth. I don't even know if Mrs P likes it yet, let alone has brakes in it :p But maybe if it isn't dressage legal and I use it to compete I'll get thrown into a jump because of some sort of what goes around, comes around type karma phenomenon :( So I'd better check whether it's dressage legal before that happens :cool:

[Stella2]

I think it probably is! what is th effect of the revolver link?

[Iron Maiden]

I think it probably is! what is th effect of the revolver link?]

Quote from Shop 4 Bits:

The Lozenged Mouthpiece bits have proven the of the most popular of bits. The mouthpiece is the ‘New French Link’, it has a oval shaped link in the centre. The lozenge shaped link contours the tongue and forms a true contact. It has no protruding pressure points like the French link does (where the flat link joins the mouthpiece); it has 2 joints, which means the pressure of the bit is distributed over both the tongue and bars of the mouth. Because the mouthpiece has two joints, it shouldn’t cause any interference with the roof of the mouth. The Lozenge uses tongue pressure to encourage the horse to go on the bit and lower the head, it has bar and lip pressure but not a ’squeezing’ action like that of a bit with a single joint. The more joints a bit has the less likely the horse is to lean as the bit becomes more mobile.
Because of the split centre Lozenge which revolves, this gives a independent rein action, allowing one half of the bit to be used whilst the other half stays put, not causing the whole bit to lift in the mouth. – A superb design by Jeffries.....


So there you have it :rolleyes:

[Bobbin]

But maybe if it isn't dressage legal and I use it to compete I'll get thrown into a jump because of some sort of what goes around, comes around type karma phenomenon :( So I'd better check whether it's dressage legal before that happens :cool:

I'd be worried about a jump being in a dressage ring:p

In all seriousness, page 5 should help you

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/uploads/File/Rules%202008/BD_Rulebook%202008%202.pdf

[Iron Maiden]

Thank you Bobbin :) Rotating mouthpieces get the thumbs up so I think it will be fine! :D

[Stella2]

The term 'revolving' mouthpiece sounds a bit like a roller (which isn't legal), but this bit sounds more like the Sprenger Ultra, where the lozenge rotates at a 45 degree angle, so it should be legal. Sounds like an interesting bit. Strangely though my mare prefers a singe joint, which on the face of it isn't as kind as a double joint, but she thinks double joints are the work of the devil :confused:

[coss]

i would have thought it is legal..
i haven't seen a rule that says rollers aren't legal :confused: i use the happy mouth roller bit and RI said it was dressage legal...

[Iron Maiden]

It's more like a Myler - the two halves of the bit can rotate freely, the central lozenge is split in half & must have some sort of bearing in it that allows the two halves of the bit to turn independently. TBH I'd be surprised if it makes a lot of difference, but the fact that the bit is (hopefully) the correct width for Mrs P's mouth should be helpful :) She is a bit fussy in her mouth sometimes & I do wonder whether the fact that her bit is a bit too big for her is part of the problem.