Just saw a post from someone saying that USDF (actually USEF) now allows ported snaffles. I am sort of a rules geek and was going to start arguing, but decided to check the rule book first.
And right there in DR121, page DR27, is the following (in green, indicating a rules change):
"*Snaffle bits must be smooth with a solid surface. Twisted and wire bits are prohibited. A mouthpiece with more than one rolling part is prohibited. Bits may be made with a rubber or plastic covering, but the bit may not be modified by adding latex or other material. Bits with mouthpieces made of synthetic material are permitted, provided that the contours of the bit conform to the contours of one of the bits pictured above. Flexible rubber or synthetic mouthpieces are permitted. A double jointed bit or snaffle with rotating mouthpiece may be shaped to allow tongue relief. The maximum height of the deviation is 30mm from the lower part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation. The widest part of the deviation must be where the mouthpiece contacts the tongue and must have a minimum width of 30 mm. (See illustration below.) The mouthpiece of a jointed or unjointed snaffle may be shaped in a slight curve within the dimensions specified above, but other ported snaffles are prohibited. The mouthpiece of a snaffle may have up to two joints. A bushing or coupling is permitted as the center link in a double jointed snaffle, however, the surface of the center piece must be solid with no moveable parts, except as pictured above. The center link may be tilted in a different orientation from the mouthpiece but must have rounded edges. The diameter of the snaffle mouthpiece must be minimum 10 mm diameter at rings or cheeks of the mouthpiece (exception: for ponies, the diameter may be less than 10 mm). Any bit combining a mouthpiece with any cheekpiece pictured above is permitted. The type of bit should not vary from those pictured above except where specified, and bits should be attached only as pictured in diagram. A cavesson, dropped, crossed or flash noseband is allowed when a snaffle bridle is used in warmup or competition, except as prohibited for some tests."
Note a 30mm height on a port is pretty small (just over an inch) but a 30mm minimum width would be pretty narrow.
I'm not rushing out to change the mare's bit, but she's fussy, so who knows, maybe I will try a little port at some point.
And right there in DR121, page DR27, is the following (in green, indicating a rules change):
"*Snaffle bits must be smooth with a solid surface. Twisted and wire bits are prohibited. A mouthpiece with more than one rolling part is prohibited. Bits may be made with a rubber or plastic covering, but the bit may not be modified by adding latex or other material. Bits with mouthpieces made of synthetic material are permitted, provided that the contours of the bit conform to the contours of one of the bits pictured above. Flexible rubber or synthetic mouthpieces are permitted. A double jointed bit or snaffle with rotating mouthpiece may be shaped to allow tongue relief. The maximum height of the deviation is 30mm from the lower part of tongue side to the highest part of the deviation. The widest part of the deviation must be where the mouthpiece contacts the tongue and must have a minimum width of 30 mm. (See illustration below.) The mouthpiece of a jointed or unjointed snaffle may be shaped in a slight curve within the dimensions specified above, but other ported snaffles are prohibited. The mouthpiece of a snaffle may have up to two joints. A bushing or coupling is permitted as the center link in a double jointed snaffle, however, the surface of the center piece must be solid with no moveable parts, except as pictured above. The center link may be tilted in a different orientation from the mouthpiece but must have rounded edges. The diameter of the snaffle mouthpiece must be minimum 10 mm diameter at rings or cheeks of the mouthpiece (exception: for ponies, the diameter may be less than 10 mm). Any bit combining a mouthpiece with any cheekpiece pictured above is permitted. The type of bit should not vary from those pictured above except where specified, and bits should be attached only as pictured in diagram. A cavesson, dropped, crossed or flash noseband is allowed when a snaffle bridle is used in warmup or competition, except as prohibited for some tests."
Note a 30mm height on a port is pretty small (just over an inch) but a 30mm minimum width would be pretty narrow.
I'm not rushing out to change the mare's bit, but she's fussy, so who knows, maybe I will try a little port at some point.
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