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Are blinkers dressage legal?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 23, 2026

Yes. Dy'on Horse Blinkers are legal to use in showjumping competitions. Made in the same leather colour as your bridle.

Are blinkers allowed in dressage?

Blinkers are not allowed. Nosebands must be used and the following are permitted: cavesson (compulsory for double bridles)

What bits are not allowed in dressage?

*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.

What tack is allowed in dressage?

Neck straps, breastplates, balancing straps (a loop at the front of the saddle), breast girths and cruppers are allowed. However, martingales and bearing, side, running or elasticated insert reins are not permitted.

Is a martingale allowed in dressage?

A martingale can affect this by applying downward pressure to the reins and possibly coercing the horse into lowering his head as a result. Hence, no martingales are allowed in dressage.

23 related questions found

Are Myler bits dressage legal?

The 14 mm mouthpiece is a bit thicker at the bars to provide a slightly larger surface area on lips and bars. Horse will still have plenty of room for the tongue. This Myler loose ring bit is legal for USEF dressage, FEI dressage and USEA eventing dressage.

Can you use spurs in dressage?

b) Rowel Spurs - Spurs with rowels are allowed only for the Dressage and Jumping Tests and when practising/warming up for Dressage and Jumping. If they are used, rowels must be free to rotate and the rowel must be round and smooth (no tines allowed).

Is a rubber snaffle dressage legal?

Dressage-Legal Bits

Only smooth mouthpieces are legal; therefore, any twists or alterations along the bars are forbidden. The mouthpiece's diameter, measured at the rings or cheeks of the mouthpiece, must be a minimum of 10 mm for snaffles and 12 mm for curbs in USEF competitions.

What is a Tom Thumb bit?

The Tom Thumb Bit – A Bit for the Well-Trained Western Horse

The mouthpiece of the Tom Thumb bit is like other snaffles, available in single or double-jointed styles. The Tom Thumb snaffle bit starts as a regular snaffle, applying direct pressure to the mouth, lips and to the bars of the horse's mouth.

Are Happy Mouth bits dressage legal?

The Happy Mouth Double Jointed Loose Ring Snaffle is allowed at USEF/ USDF competitions because only the center plastic piece rotates, not the entire linkage. Only a single rotating piece is permitted. It is allowed in a snaffle bridle and as the bridoon in a double bridle.

What is a hunter gag bit?

12/5 Inside Loops. These are referred to as “Hunter Gags,” due to the fact the loops are concealed. These are in the grey area of the USEF rules and fall under Judges discretion, this is of no issue with the Jumpers. As with all these types of bits, they are predicated on the amount of gag required.

Are bitless bridles allowed in Hunters?

Currently bitless bridles are not allowed in dressage competitions and are considered unconventional tack for hunters. You do see them in eventing (for the show jumping and cross country phases), in jumpers and in endurance competitions.

Is a French link snaffle dressage legal?

After reading this post we sought clarification from FEI Dressage on whether the French Link was permitted for use in FEI Dressage competitions; the FEI have confirmed that the French Link is permitted for use in dressage competition.

Are swan neck spurs dressage legal?

If the shank is curved, the spurs must be worn only with the shank directed downwards. However, swan necked spurs are allowed. The inside arm of the spur must be smooth and one or both arms may have rubber covers. If rowels are used, they must be blunt/smooth and free to rotate.

Are safety stirrups dressage legal?

What kind of stirrups are allowed in dressage? In dressage, you can use any stirrups that don't aid you in a specific way. For instance, as per FEI dressage regulations, magnetic safety stirrups are not allowed.

Are whips allowed in dressage?

No whip of any kind may be carried whilst competing in the dressage test. One whip only, no longer than 120cm including lash, may be carried when riding on the flat at any other time. One whip only, no longer than 75cm and not weighted, may be carried when jumping any obstacle .

What does a 3 ring gag do?

The gag produces a head raising action and is often used for cross country and/or jumping where the head needs to be raised quickly in order to gain control and so to get ready for the next jump. The single joint puts pressure on the sides of the tongue, on the lips and on the bars due to the nutcracker.

Are snaffle bits cruel?

Therefore, even if the rider is extremely gentle, these bits cause a lot of pain. Moreover, the design of these bits is very uncomfortable for the horse. Even the slightest carelessness from the rider can cause severe pain for the horse. It is an extremely cruel tool if it comes into the hands of an unskilled user.

What is a dog bone bit used for?

Dog bone bits for horses, also termed 3 piece horse bits, are useful training bits used for many styles of riding. It is called dogbone after the shape of the center piece. The dogbone mouthpiece can is available in many configurations. Materials like sweet iron, copper, rings, or stainless steel are used.

Is the turtle top bit dressage legal?

Now we received a reply: it is NOT allowed. An FEI spokesperson told Eurodressage that, "the Turtle Tilt Curb is not a permitted bit according to the FEI Dressage rules."

Are Fager bits dressage legal?

These bits are Dressage Legal for FEI. Typically most associations reflect their rules off the FEI rules, however not always.

Is a grackle dressage legal?

Grackle nosebands will now be allowed in affiliated dressage competitions, as well as several less traditional nosebands, bits and bridles, including the Stübben Freedom Bridle, following their FEI approval.

Can you carry a whip in unaffiliated dressage?

You CAN use a schooling whip (of correct length) AND spurs for affiliated and unaffiliated dressage. They are usually run under the same rules. Sometimes Spurs and or/schooling whips are not allowed, for RC JUNIORS or TEAMS rules. Generally though, YES BOTH ARE ALLOWED.

What are the softest spurs?

Bumper spurs are a softer option for riders who would like to try spurs or horses that are particularly sensitive. Rather than a shank, bumper spurs have a curved metal piece around the heel that is fairly flat, rather than spiked.

Do spurs hurt horses?

Ideally, spurs do not hurt horses. That being said, spurs can lead to skin scratches, bleeding, and other pain if used incorrectly. For this reason, spurs should not be worn by inexperienced riders. More specifically, spurs should only be worn by experienced riders on horses that need spurs.