at Tack
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Western Dressage:
A Closer Look
PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING ™
Building a Partnership with Your Horse
TRAINING & Showing
Story and Photos By
Lynn Palm
Any time you are getting into a
different discipline, it is important
to know what tack is allowed in
competition. The smart rider will
research ahead of time to learn
all the rules about what tack is
permitted and what is not.
• Smooth snaffles, 3-piece smooth snaffles, or mullen
mouthpiece bits are allowed. Use the snaffle for any level
test and all ages of horses. Snaffles are ridden with two
hands. Refer to website for acceptable mouthpieces.
A hackamore (bosal) is permitted on a horse of any age,
and at any level. A hackamore includes a bosal, rounded
in shape and constructed of braided rawhide or leather,
and must have a flexible non-metallic core attached to
a suitable headstall. No other material of any kind is to
be used in conjunction with the bosal, i.e. steel, metal or
chains. Bosals may be wrapped with smooth electrical
tape to prevent rubbing.
• Curb bits can be used on any age of horse and any
level. They can be ridden with two hands. If you refer to
the tack rules, you will find the specific sizes and types of
bits that are legal. (You should also review the section on
illegal bits so you don’t use the wrong one.)
• Western saddles that are permitted include stock
saddles, work saddles, Aussie, or native or side saddle
can be used. Silver on saddles will not count over good
working equipment. A horn on the saddle is not required,
but Western style fenders are required.
• A breastplate and/or crupper may be used.
• Tapaderos are permitted except in Western Dressage
Equitation.
• Whips are allowed no longer than 47.2” including lash.
• Be sure to peruse the website for more information on
tack. And check out the section on illegal equipment,
as it shows other miscellaneous Western tack that is not
permitted.
• With my accomplished horseman/saddlemaker husband,
we have designed a Western Dressage saddle
(www.lynnpalm.com under “Boutique” on the home
page). It’s designed specifically for this new and fun
competition.
• Hope you truly enjoy this sport — my next articles will
give you more information about Western Dressage!
Headstalls and Bits
Saddles and Whips
I recommend practicing at home with the tack you plan
to use at the show. This is so important! Train with at home
the bridles, bits, and saddles/pads that you would use at
a show. This allows you and your horse to be familiar with
the tack and helps avoid unpleasant surprises on show
day.
Most people will have a nice show saddle that fits the
horse and rider, but never use it unless they are at a show.
Instead of using their “good” saddle at home to school
and practice in, they may have a “working” saddle, but
one of poor quality that does not fit the horse and rider.
If you want to ride well you have to have properly fitting
tack for you and your horse. Properly fitting tack will allow
you to have better balance in the saddle.
Bits are another topic. Some people will train at home
with a milder bit and use a harsher bit at the show. I
advise against this practice because it will only cause
problems. When a horse goes to a show, he is in new and
unfamiliar surroundings. A new place will always make a
horse more sensitive. Using a more severe or responsive
bit to get control of a horse who is more reactive at a
show will only intensify the horse’s reactions even more.
Keep the same bit and use the mildest bit possible to
promote relaxation. A relaxed mouth will always give you
a more responsive horse.
The Western Dressage Association of America is very new,
only a few years old. The association’s rules can be found
at their website, http://westerndressageassociation.org/.
Please read all the tack and attire rules. Let’s summarize
what tack is required:
• Western headstalls - a western cavesson is optional. A
western cavesson (flat, rolled, braided, or plain, with an
adjustable noseband), or pencil bosal with or without a
get-down rope with space for two fingers placed between
the cavesson and the jowl of the horse is allowed.
No metal (except for the buckle on the cavesson), studs
of any kind, or other substances can be used in conjunction
with or as part of a Western cavesson.
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