EQUIPMENT
RANCH
Clean working tack. It is recommended that saddles have a breast collar and a rear cinch. If a rear cinch is used, it should be attached to the front cinch with a cinch hobble. Hobbles or a rope may be attached to the saddle. Silver on the saddle or bridle is discouraged but not illegal. Split or Rommel reins are allowed. Western saddle pads. NO protective boots in the “Ranch Horse in Hand and Conformation” & “Ranch Trail in Hand” class.
REINING
Clean working tack. A breast collar and rear cinch is optional. If a rear cinch is used, it should be attached to the front cinch with a cinch hobble. Hobbles or a rope may be attached to the saddle. More silver on the saddle and bridle is welcome. Split or Rommel reins are allowed. Western saddle pads.
NEWBEEZ
New comers to the shows may ride in English tack for the 1st season in the NOVICE and INTERMEDIATE divisions but you are required to cowboy up your outfit with a Western button and collar shirt and jeans.
BITS
Snaffle bits in western performance classes mean the conventional O-ring, egg- butt or D-ring with a ring no larger than 4” in diameter (100 mm). The inside circumference of the ring must be free of rein, curb or headstall attachments which would provide leverage. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg- shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal. It may be inlaid, but smooth or latex- wrapped. The bars must be a minimum of 5/16” (8 mm) in diameter, measured one inch (25 mm) in from the cheek with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4” (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8” to 3/4”(10 mm to 20 mm) measured top to bottom, with a maximum length of 2” (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth, is acceptable. Optional leather strap attached below the reins on a snaffle bit is acceptable.
​
Curb bit is a bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must be free of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit.
-
8 1⁄2 ” (215 mm) maximum length shank to be measured as indicated in the diagram on the previous page. Shanks may be fixed or loose;
-
Concerning mouthpieces, bars must be round, oval or egg shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal of 5/16” to 3/4” (8 mm to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1” (25 mm) from the cheek. However, wire on the sway bars (above the bars and attaching to the spade) of a traditional spade bit is acceptable. They may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs, including upward prongs on solid mouthpieces. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three- piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4” (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8” to 3/4” (10mm to 20 mm) measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2” (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth, is acceptable;
-
A linked mouthpiece with minimum 3/8” (10 mm) diameter that is smooth with movable links that are solidly attached to the shanks;
-
The port must be no higher than 3 1/2” (90 mm) maximum, with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, halfbreeds and spades are standard;
-
Donut and flat polo mouthpieces are not acceptable
-
A curb bit must be used with a curb strap or curb chain properly attached so as to make contact with horse’s chin
PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT
-
Wire chin straps, regardless of how padded or covered.
-
Chin chains may not be twisted. Must be flat.
-
No wires attached to chin chains
-
Any chin strap or chain narrower than half an inch.
-
Martigales and draw reins.
-
Nosebands, tie downs, and roping reins.
-
Mechanical hackamores
-
Bitless bridles
-
Bosals with wire, cable or metal
-
No rigid material under the jaw, regardless of how padded or covered
-
Horsehair bosals
HORSE GROOMING
RANCH CLASSES
A horse should be clean and brushed. You may NOT trim the inside of the ears. Bridlepath is discouraged but not illegal. Trimming whiskers is discouraged but not illegal. Whiskers may not be trimmed shorter than 2 cm and must look natural. A horse shown in a “natural” state is not to be penalised. Hoof black is not allowed. Braiding and banding of forelock, mane or tail and tail extensions will result in a zero score.
NRHA REINING CLASSES
A horse should be clean and brushed. You may NOT trim the inside of the ears. Bridlepath is discouraged but not illegal. Trimming whiskers is discouraged but not illegal. Whiskers may not be trimmed shorter than 2 cm and must look natural. A horse shown in a “natural” state is not to be penalised. Hoof black is not allowed. Braiding and banding of mane or tail and tail extensions are allowed.
HOLDING ONTO THE SADDLE HORN ?
In which classes and when is it permissible to hold onto the Western Saddle Horn?
RANCH CLASSES
Yes! A rider may post or stand in the stirrups and hold the saddle horn at the extended trot and hold the horn and have a forward seat at the extended lope. Holding the horn for the rider’s safety over any obstacle is any pattern is acceptable.
REINING CLASSES
No! It is not permissible to hold the saddle horn in any reining pattern.
​
EXCEPTIONS:
Freestyle Reining
Youth 10 and under
Non Pro's 65 years and older