2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

83 Classes), Ranch Horse Working Cow, Ranch Horse Roping and Ranch Horse Cutting. Cavassons are prohibited. 5. Whenever the rules refer to romal, it means an extension of braided material attached to closed reins. The extension shall be carried in the free hand with a 16” (40cm) spacing between the reining hand and the free hand holding the romal. 6. Bits should be grazing, standard snaffle, curb, half-breed or hackamore (bosal) type, (cheeks not to exceed 8 ½ inches). There shall be no discrimination against any standard western bits with mouthpieces as defined below. Mechanical hackamores and sliding rope gag bits are permitted only in Timed Events and Ranch Roping. In other Western classes, no mechanical hackamores, gag bits or cruel or inhumane bits or other severe devices will be permitted. 7. Horses five years old and younger (junior horses) may be shown in a standard snaffle bit, hackamore (bosal), curb bit, half-breed or spade bit. When junior horses are shown in snaffle bit or hackamore two hands may be used. The hackamore must be a bosal, rounded in shape and constructed of braided rawhide or leather and must have a flexible nonmetallic core attached to a suitable headstall. Attached reins may be of hair, rope or leather. No other material of any kind is to be used in conjunction with a bosal, i.e. steel, metal or chains (exception: smooth plastic electrical tape is acceptable). When a junior horse is shown in a curb, half-breed or spade bit only one hand is allowed on the reins described in Western Equitation/Horsemanship. 8. Horses six years old and older may be shown in a snaffle, hackamore (bosal), curb bit, half-breed or spade bit, but only one hand is allowed on the reins. 9. References to bits in western classes: a) A Standard Snaffle bit is defined as a conventional loose O-ring, egg-butt, D-ring or “full cheek” with an outside circumference of the ring between 2” (50mm) to 4” (100mm). The ring must be free of rein, curb or headstall attachments which would provide leverage. Reins may be made of leather, hair, rope or synthetic. Split reins or Mecate setup are allowed with a standard snaffle bit, but no closed gaming style or roping reins are allowed. If a curb strap (leather only - chain prohibited) is used with a snaffle bit it must be attached below the reins. b) Curb bit is defined as a bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must be free of mechanical device. When a curb bit or any bit having a fixed rein is used, a curb strap or curb chain is required, but must meet with the approval of the judge, be at least ½ inch in width and lie flat against the jaw of the horse. Rounded, rolled, braided or rawhide curb straps are prohibited. A broken curb strap or chain is not necessarily cause for disqualification. c) The mouthpieces of all bits should be round, oval or egg-shaped and smooth metal, not twisted. The mouthpiece may be inlaid but must be smooth or latex- wrapped. d) The bars must be a minimum of 5/16” (8mm) and a maximum of 3/4” (20mm) in diameter, measured one inch (25 mm) in from the cheek. On snaffle bits there should be a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. e) Jointed mouthpieces are acceptable and may consist of multiple pieces and may have multiple joints. A three-piece connecting ring of 1 ¼” (32mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8” to3/4” (10mm to20mm), measured top to bottom and a maximum length of 2” (50mm), which lies flat in the horse’s mouth is acceptable. On a curb bit, the connecting bar is to be flat. f) Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar) such as extensions, prongs or rivets on solid mouthpieces, designed to intimidate the horse. Rollers attached to the center of the bit are acceptable and may extend below the bar. g) The port must be no higher than 3 ½” (90mm) maximum, with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken (jointed) mouthpieces, half-breeds and spades are standard. h) Slip or sliding rope gag bits, rigid donut and flat polo mouthpieces are not acceptable except in timed events and Ranch Roping. Judges may disqualify any equipment in any class that they deem to be overly harsh or inhumane. i) Maximum length of cheeks is 8 ½”. Cheeks may be fixed or swivel.