The American Quarter Horse Association's rules for western equipment govern all AQHA western classes, not just working cow horse. As such, they allow for a broad range of bits and gear with only a few limitations on specific classes like working cow horse.

Been showing NRCHA and thinking about trying an AQHA show? Some of the important adjustments would be: chaps are not required, shank bits do not need a cricket or shanks connected at the bottom and can have a broken mouthpiece. Bosals can have a cable core and snaffle bits can have a three piece mouthpiece. All mouthpieces may be slightly less thick (5/16 inch). Horses in a hackamore or snaffle may be shown with one or two hands on the reins. Also, horses 5 years or under (Junior) can be shown in any legal bit/hackamore - meaning you could show your 3 year old in a hackamore or your 5 year old in a snaffle. Read more about AQHA classes on the Class Divisions page. Once you're familiar with the equipment and clothing you'll need to compete, visit the cow horse vendors on DownTheFence.com.

Listed below are Section 442: Equipment, Section 443: Western Equipment and Section 445: Attire from the AQHA 2007 Official Handbook (2007 additions/changes are underlined). The rulebook is mailed to current members; visit AQHA for more information on membership.

442. EQUIPMENT

(a) Failure by exhibitor to wear correct number(s) in a visible manner shall result in disqualification.

(b) Reruns will not be allowed in instances of equipment failure. When exhibitor equipment failure causes a delay or a run to be discontinued, the judge will disqualify the entry, except in working hunter and jumping.

(c) In any approved class, the judge shall have the authority to require the removal or alteration of any piece of equipment or accoutrement which is unsafe, or in his opinion, would tend to give a horse an unfair advantage or which he believes to be inhumane.


443. WESTERN EQUIPMENT

(a) References to hackamore mean the use of a flexible, braided rawhide or leather, or rope bosal, the core of which may be either rawhide or flexible cable. Absolutely no rigid material will be permitted under the jaws, regardless of how padded or covered. Horse hair bosals are prohibited. This rule does not refer to a so-called mechanical hackamore.

(b) References to snaffle bits in western performance classes mean the conventional O-ring, egg-butt or D-ring with a ring no larger than 4" (100 mm). The inside circumference of the ring must be free of rein, curb or headstall attachments which would provide leverage. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal. It may be inlaid, but smooth or latex­wrapped. The bars must be a minimum of 5/16" (8 mm) in diameter, measured one inch (25 mm) in from the cheek with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/14" (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8" to 3/4"(10 mm to 20 mm) (measured top to bottom, with a maximum length of 2" (50 mm), which lies flat in the horse's mouth is acceptable. Optional curb strap attached below the reins on a snaffle bit is acceptable.

(c) References to a bit in western performance classes mean the use of a curb bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits must be free of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit. A description of a legal, standard western bit includes:

(1) 8 1/2" (215 mm) maximum length shank to be measured as indicated in the diagram on page 133. Shanks may be fixed or loose.

(2) Concerning mouthpieces, bars must be round, oval or egg shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal of 5/16" to 3/4" (8 mm to 20 mm) in diameter, measured 1" (25 mm) from the cheek. They may be inlaid, but must be smooth or latex wrapped. Nothing may protrude below the mouthpiece (bar), such as extensions or prongs on solid mouthpieces. The mouthpiece may be two or three pieces. A three-piece, connecting ring of 1 1/4" (32 mm) or less in diameter, or a connecting flat bar of 3/8" to 3/4" (10mm to 20 mm) [measured top to bottom with a maximum length of 2" (50 mm)], which lies flat in the horse's mouth is acceptable.

(3) The port must be no higher than 3 1/2" (90 mm) maximum, with rollers and covers acceptable. Broken mouthpieces, half­breeds and spades are standard.

(4) Slip or gag bits, and donut and flat polo mouthpieces are not acceptable.

(d) Except for hackamore/snaffle bit classes or junior horses shown with hackamore/snaffle bit, only one hand may be used on the reins, and the hand must not be changed. The hand is to be around the reins; index finger only between split reins is permitted. In trail, it is permissible to change hands to work an obstacle. Violation of this rule is an automatic disqualification.

(e) Whenever this handbook refers to romal, it means an extension of braided material attached to closed reins. This extension shall be carried in the free hand with a 16-inch (40 cm) spacing between the reining hand and the free hand holding the romal. When using romal reins, the rider's hand shall be around the reins with the wrists kept straight and relaxed, the thumb on top and the fingers closed lightly around the reins. When using a romal, no fingers between the reins are allowed. The free hand may not be used to adjust the rider’s length of rein in any reining class listed under Rule 451. During reining, the use of the free hand while holding the romal to alter the tension or length of the reins from the bridle to the reining hand is considered to be the use of two hands and a score of 0 will be applied, with the exception of any place a horse is allowed to be completely stopped during a pattern. In all other classes, including the reined portion of working cow horse, the free hand may be used to adjust the rider’s length of rein.

(f) The romal shall not be used forward of the cinch or to signal or cue the horse in any way. Any infraction of this rule shall be penalized severely by the judge.

(g) Junior horses competing in junior western pleasure, western horsemanship, reining, working cow horse, western riding and trail that are shown with a hackamore or snaffle bit may be ridden with one (refer to 443(d)) or two hands on the reins. The tails of the reins must be crossed on the opposite side of the neck when riding with two hands on split reins. Closed reins (example mecate) may not be used with a snaffle bit, except in working cow horse and reining, where a mecate is permitted.

(h) In all western classes, horses will be shown in a western saddle. A western saddle is a common type of saddle distinguished by a large noticeable fork on which there is some form of horn, a high cantle and large skirts. Silver equipment will not count over a good working outfit. Horses five-years-old and younger may be shown in a snaffle bit, hackamore, curb bit, half-breed or spade bit. Horses six-years­old and older may only be shown in a curb bit, half-breed or spade bit. When a curb bit is used, a curb strap or curb chain is required, but must meet the approval of the judge, be at least one-half inch in width and lie flat against the jaw of the horse. Curb chains cannot be tied to the bit with string or cord. A broken strap or chain is not necessarily cause for disqualification.

(1) Optional equipment

(A) Rope or riata; if used, the rope or riata must be coiled and attached to the saddle.

(B) Hobbles attached to saddle.

(C) Tapaderos, except in working cow horse where they are not allowed.

(D) Protective boots, leg wraps and bandages are allowed in reining, working cow horse, team penning, barrel racing, pole bending, stake racing, jumping, calf roping, breakaway roping, dally team roping -heading, dally team roping -heeling, cutting, western horsemanship, hunt seat equitation on the flat and hunt seat equitation over fences.

(E) Tie-downs for roping, speed events, team penning and ranch sorting.

(F) Running martingales tor speed events, team penning and ranch sorting.

(G) Spurs; not to be used forward of the cinch.


(2) Prohibited Equipment

(A) Protective boots, leg wraps and bandages are prohibited in western pleasure, trail, halter, western riding, showmanship, pleasure driving, hunter under saddle and boot of any description except outdoors during inclement weather in hunter hack, green working hunter and working hunter.

(B) Wire chin straps, regardless of how padded or covered.

(C) Any chin strap narrower than one-half inch.

(D) Martingales and draw reins, except for speed events and team penning.

(E) Nosebands and tie-downs, except for roping, speed events and team penning. However, these cannot have any bare metal in contact with the horse's head.

(F) Jerk lines for roping.

(G) Tack collars for roping.


(i) In roping, speed events, team penning and ranch sorting, western type equipment must be used. Use of a hackamore (including mechanical hackamores) or other type of bridles is the optional choice of the contestant; however, the judge may prohibit the use of bits or equipment he may consider severe.


445. ATTIRE

(a) In halter, speed events, team penning and other western classes, appropriate western attire is required which includes pants (slacks, trousers, jeans, etc.) long sleeves and collar (band, standup, tuxedo, etc.) western hat and cowboy boots. Special exception because of religious reasons or physical handicap must be requested by filing a written request to AQHA and obtaining written approval prior to participation. The hat must be on the rider's head when the exhibitor enters the arena. Spurs and chaps are optional.

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(e) Judges, at their discretion, may authorize adjustments to attire due to weather-related conditions.

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