BIT DICTIONARY

2016

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

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GENERAL GUIDELINES ON BITS The horse 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 reins must be attached to the bit or running through as in the case

of a gag bit. 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 rein 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

bit mouthpiece and 8mm at the outside of the mouthpiece. Rubber cheekers if used must be entirely smooth on both sides.

The use of dropped nosebands, Hanoverian nosebands or any noseband

which fits in the horse’s curb groove, is not permitted when a curb chain is being used.

Bits not to be modified in any way

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

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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

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Offset Dee Snaffle

Snaffle Bits - all disciplines

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

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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 French link

FM Snaffle – Should be used with FM 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

Snaffle Bits – with discipline restriction

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

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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

Snaffle Bits – with discipline restriction

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

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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).

SJ SR SP CD MG PX

For Polocrosse, Rounders must be worn. 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.

Lip Strap Rungs through Curb Chain ring to

prevent loss of chain.

Weymouth Set

Curb Chain Bits

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

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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

Gag Bits

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

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The following bits may be used for Western Riding 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

Micklem Competition Bridle

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.

Western Bits

Bridles

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

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Drop Noseband

Drop Nosebands may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club

Figure 8/Crossover/Grackle/Mexican or High Ring Noseband

Figure 8 Nosebands may be used for all disciplines in Pony Club

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

Kineton Noseband

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

Nosebands

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

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Running Martingale

Rein Stoppers

Martingale Stoppers

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

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, Polo 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

Martingale and Breastplates

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

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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) spurs 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

Maximum length 30mm. May be used for all disciplines other than Mounted Games

Dummy Spurs with No Shank

Spurs with Steel Under Foot Spurs with Rubber-Covered Arms

Impulse Spurs with Hard Plastic

Knob Soft Touch Roller Spurs

These spurs must have a rounded smooth roll.

Spurs

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

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Spurs with Smooth Rowels

Verticle Rowel as thick as a $2 coin. Shank length maxiumum 30mm.

May be used for Dressage, Eventing, Dressage & Horse Ball

Spurs with Smooth or Blunt Daisy Rowels

(Horizontal or Vertical rowel as thick as a $2 coin). Shank length maximum

45mm. May be used for Sporting, Campdrafting,

Polocrosse and Horse Ball.

Swan Neck Spurs Maximum Shank length 45mm.

May be used for all disciplines except Cross Country & Mounted Games

Bumper Spurs May be used for Showjumping, Jumping

Equitation, Campdrafting, Sporting, Polocrosse & Horse Ball.

Spur Straps The Straps holding the spur in place must fit

the boot closely. Permitted straps may be leather, metal, synthetic or rubber.

Spurs