Changing the rules in Canada

Speaking on behalf of Driving, Sections C and H rules -
bitless bridles offer insufficient control for a horse pushing a
carriage. While there may be some exceptional horses, the rules are written
for the general public and there are issues of safety and control involved.
Driving is not only has classes in an arena, but cross-country as well
commanding up to four horses in a turnout, often is confined areas of public
gatherings. There are no other countries involved in
driving that permit bitless bridles. Our Rules are based on the FEI and agree on
this point with the USEF and ADS driving Rulebooks as well.

I have trained many horses and my own bitless to drive. Some of them
were bitted for years and others were two year olds. We have
standardbreds racing in bitless that needed their tongues tied and were
bleeders in a bit that now only need an overcheck. I compete in
pleasure driving and 100% have more control with my bitless bridle than
with my bitted. I have yet to see a horse that does not perform well in
a bitless bridle. I am not talking bosals, hackamores or sidepulls.
We did a clinic march this year and had several driving horses in it
and every single one went better bitless than they did in their regular
driving bit and are still bitless today minus competition because of
what rules dictate to us. That means they are driving down the road
through traffic and even our insurance companies recognize we are
bitless. I think driving down the road with motor vehicles is more
dangerous and trying of a horse than going into a ring and running
around in circles. If a horse is scared enough no bit or piece of
equipment will stop him or her. Bits are NOT the answer. They were
invented by atilla the hun and in that time were meant to inflict pain
on a horse to control it quickly in battle. With the various methods of
training out there I believe most would agree with me that it is the
way you train your horse not the equipment you use.

Bits are harmful to the horse. There are over fourty recognized
diseases caused or worsened by the use of a bit in a horses mouth. A
bit presses on nerves that are part of the trigeminal nerve branch.
This nerve branch runs from just behind the ears and supplies
sensations to the whole head including the lips, hard and soft palate
of the mouth. If a bit is jointed it can press on the hard palate (roof
of the mouth), bars and tongue. Especially if a bit (and mechanical
hackamore) have a curb chain they are especially painful. For instance
if you pull with five pounds of pressure on the reins and activate that
curb chain it presses on a nerve just behind the chin. This nerve is
part of the trigeminal nerve branch and it's called the mental nerve.
The mental nerve is very close to the surface of the skin with no fat
or muscle to pad it. That five pounds you pull by can become amplifed
by ten to twenry times depenging on type of mouthpiece, how tight the
chain is and type of chain or strap.

So I would like you to re-consider. Any more information you need on
bits or bitless bridles I can present to you along with a signed
petition if nessesary from all the people who ride and drive bitless.

Thank you for your time.

The vaulting rules at the pre-national championship level
are all provincial. Our provincial rules do allow for a longeing cavesson and
many longeurs make use of them.





Our national rules are simply a copy of the FEI rules. It
is important that our elite athletes at this level demonstrate the same skills that
they will be required to show at the CVIs and at the world championships.

bitless bridles offer insufficient control for a horse pushing a
carriage

Our Rules are based on the FEI and agree on
this point with the USEF and ADS driving Rulebooks as well.

Our national rules are simply a copy of the FEI rules. It
is important that our elite athletes at this level demonstrate the same skills that
they will be required to show at the CVIs and at the world championships

The FEI have stated that they won't change their rules unless
individual countries change their own rules. Individual countries wait
for a lead from the FEI. So we are stuck in a circular stalemate.

Thank you. I'm not talking about a longeing cavesson but rather a
bitless bridle such as a sidepull or cross under bitless bridle or
other of the same nature to be allowed when horses have side reins on.

Just because a horse does not have a bit in his mouth doesn't mean he
will display less skill. There are riders and drivers from all over the
world displaying more skill and fluidity with a bitless bridle than
bitted. We ask that if we wish, we can compete with the bitted horses.

The FEI has stated they will not change their rules unless individual
countries change theirs. I hope we can make a step toward this
revolution in horsemanship.

Any other information you are curious or would like to know about bits
or bitless bridles feel free to ask. I would love to answer any
questions you may have.

Thank you.

but since Vaulting is only performed on the longe line, I
fail to see why a bitless bridle would be more beneficial than a
cavesson for those interested in not using a bit. Are you are not
familiar with what Vaulting is? Please visit www.VaultCanada.org for pictures and an introduction.

If a vaulting club competing at Canadian competitions wishes to use a
bitless bridle instead of a cavesson or bitted bridle, they would be
more than welcome to submit a rule change request and it would be
carefully considered.

I am very aware of what vaulting is. I watch competitions several times
of the year but do not have time to get personally involved because of
other equine activities. I do not speak just for myself but bitless
horses and riders across Canada and several other countries that wish
to see a change.

We are trying to change the rules so if one wishes in any discipline that they can compete against the bitted horses.
There
are over forty recognized diseases caused and worsened by the use of
the bit in a horses mouth. Scientific evidence is being gathered every
day on the benefits of a bitless horse. However there is no scientific
credited evidence that bits are good for a horse. Those of us that have
researched and learned about the horses anatomy have found we can work
better bitless are looking for a place to do more with our horses other
than practice at home. We need that option to compete and wish to do so
against the bitted horses.

I appreciate the fact that they can use a longeing cavesson but for those horses that do not we want an option other than a bit.

Thank you.

I support your quest to use bitless bridles in other disciplines, but
not in place of a cavisson in vaulting. If a vaulting club that is
competing submits a rule change request we will consider it.

There are no vaulting rules or competitions in Ontario, so there is no
rule to change there. The only provinces that have rules and
competitions are BC and Alberta. It is normal for any sport body in any
country to only accept rule changes from their members. Yes, you could
get a petition signed by many members, however all you need is one
member who is a coach, longer, or a club representative to submit the
rule change request. If so, it would be voted upon at the next annual
general meeting.

Thank you Sydney.
We have our AGM this coming Saturday and your request will
be discussed.

FlorayG wrote: My answer would be, isn't that my problem if I pay my entry fee and want to compete against bitted horses?