A regulation non-shanked snaffle bit is defined as a smooth-mouthed bit with a broken mouthpiece (conventional O-ring, D-ring, or Egg-butt) with the ring no larger than four inches and no smaller than two inches across. Mouthpieces should be round, smooth and unwrapped metal. They may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. The bars must be a minimum of 5/16" in diameter, measured 1" from the cheek with a gradual decrease to the center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4" or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8" to 3/4" (measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2"), which lies flat in the horse's mouth is acceptable.
A curb strap on the snaffle bit is optional but must be loose and of leather or nylon only. Reins should be attached above the curb strap if one is used, and must be of standard leather or woven split reins.
Wherever this handbook refers to a bosal hackamore in Western Performance classes, it means the use of a braided rawhide or leather bosal (noseband) which is used in lieu of a regulation non-shanked snaffle bit. There must be a minimum of a two-finger space (approximately 1 1/2 inches) between the bosal and the nose, and absolutely no metal under the jaw or on the noseband or in connection with the noseband. A hackamore bosal with "mecate" reins is accepted as a standard rawhide hackamore. The bosal should be properly fitted relative to the horse's size and conformation.
WESTERN GAITS: The following terminology shall apply in all Western classes where a specific gait is called for:
a) The WALK is a natural, flat-footed, four-beat gait. The horse must move straight and true at the walk, alertly and with a stride of reasonable length in keeping with the size of the horse.
b) The JOG is a smooth, ground-covering, two-beat diagonal gait. The horse works from one pair of diagonal legs to the other pair. The jog should be square, balanced and with a straight, forward movement of the feet. Horses walking with the rear feet and jogging with the front feet are not considered to be performing the gait. If asked to extend the jog, the horse should move out with the same smooth way of going.
c) The LOPE is an easy, rhythmical three-beat gait. Horses travelling in a four-beat gait are not considered performing a correct lope. The horse should lope with a natural stride and appear relaxed and smooth at a speed that is natural way of going. When moving to the right, the horse should lope on the right lead, and when moving to the left, the horse should be on the left lead.