Is This Bit Legal?

We are often asked if a bit is legal for a particular association. We don't mind finding out for you! In fact we have accumulated a mini data base of what is legal right now in certain associations and thought we would share it with you. Below you will find answers to all your bit related questions for the NRCHA, NRHA, and AQHA. If we have missed your association please let us know and we will complete the research and get it posted as soon as possible. We have many buy it now options on our website for both shank bits or snaffle bits. We hope you are able to find the exact bit you are looking for. However if you have any questions or cannot find a particular bit online please give us a call at 1-307-672-8459. Thanks!   NRCHA (taken directly from the 2013 NRCHA rulebook): 5.2 A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must be used in any of the bridle classes. Said characteristics shall be: one with an unbroken bar mouthpiece with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top of the port. There must be an operable cricket or roller (with single for multiple rings) incorporated within the mouthpiece of the bit. It is legal to have a barrel made of copper or metal, wrapped around the bar space of the bit and is to be considered a part of the mouthpiece. The barrel must be round, smooth, and made up of one continuous, unbroken piece. The minimum diameter, on any part of the bar of the mouthpiece, is 5/16 inch. Bars must be round, oval or egg shaped smooth and unwrapped metal. Latex wrap or any foreign material is not acceptable. Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs. The cheeks must be connected at the bottom. The overall length of the bit shall not be longer than 8 1/2 inches measured from the inside bottom of the top of headstall ring to point of pull in the bottom ring. Optional tongue release shall not exceed 3 inches in width. 5.3 Braces, copper port cover and/or having copper smoothly inlaid in the mouthpiece are optional. The use of bosal, martingale or tie-down is prohibited (bosal permitted in Two Rein class only). No wire, chain or other metal or rawhide device may be used in conjunction with the bit or a part of the leather chin strap. Leather chin strap must be flat, flexible and at least 1/2 inch wide. No metal rivets are allowed to come in contact with the chin, or chin groove of the horse. Metal keepers are not acceptable on the chin strap.

 5.6 Snaffle Bit shall be either “D” or “O” Ring type, no larger than 4 inches in diameter on the inside of the ring. They must have a broken, 2 piece, mouth piece, being a minimum of 5/16 inch in diameter, measured 1 inch in from the inside of the ring on the snaffle bit, with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal. It may be inlaid, but must be smooth. Latex wrap is not acceptable. These bits must be such that when the reins are pulled no undue leverage is applied, i.e. the inside of the circumference of the ring must be free of rein, curb, or head stall attachments. A leather or other woven material chin strap of any width is to be used. No iron, chain or other material may be used.

NRHA (taken directly from the 2014 NRCHA rulebook): SNAFFLE BIT- References to snaffle bits mean conventional O-ring, egg-butt, or D-ring with a ring no larger than 4” and no smaller than 2”. 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 free of wire. It may be inlaid, but smooth and/or latex wrapped. The bars must be a minimum of 5 ⁄16” in diameter, measured 1” in from the cheek with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. Optional curb strap is acceptable however curb chains are not acceptable. BIT - References to a bit means the use of a curb 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. A standard western bit includes:

• 8 1⁄2” maximum length shank to be measured as indicated in the judge’s guide. Shanks may be fixed or loose
• Concerning mouthpieces, bars must be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and free of wire of 5⁄16” to ¾” in diameter, measured 1” from the cheek. They may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may protrude more than 1⁄8” below the mouthpiece (bar)
• The port must be no higher then 3 1⁄2” maximum, with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, half breeds, and spades are standard.
• Slip or gag bits, donuts or flat polo mouthpieces are not acceptable

CURB - When a curb bit is used, a curb strap or curb chain is required, which must be at least ½” in width, lie flat against the jaw, and be free of barbs, wire, and/or twists     AQHA (taken directly from the 2014 AQHA rulebook): WESTERN - 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. Bit in western performance classes means the use of a curb 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 bits The description of a legal, standard western bit includes:

• 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;
• 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;
• slip or gag bit is permitted in speed events

ENGLISH - In all English classes, an English snaffle (no shank), kimberwick, pelham and/or full bridle (with two reins), all with cavesson nosebands and plain leather brow bands must be used. In reference to mouthpieces, nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar). Solid and broken mouthpieces must be between 5/16” to 3/4” (8 mm to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1” (25 mm) from the cheek and may have a port no higher than 1 1/2” (40 mm). They may be inlaid, synthetic wrapped, including rubber or plastic or incased, but must be smooth. On broken mouthpieces only, connecting rings of 1 1/4” (32 mm) or less in diameter or 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 lie flat in the horse’s mouth, are acceptable. Snaffle bit rings may be no larger than 4” (100 mm) in diameter. Any bit having a fixed rein requires use of a curb chain. Smooth round, oval or egg-shaped, slow twist, corkscrew, single twisted wire, double twisted wire mouthpieces and straight bar or solid mouthpieces are allowed. NCHA (taken directly from the 2014 NCHA rulebook):