Equipment requirements vary by association, so be sure to check the relevant rulebook before you show. NRCHA regulations are based on a traditional vaquero style of tack, with an emphasis on rawhide and leather versus metal materials.

Been showing AQHA and thinking about trying an NRCHA show? Some of the notable differences to prepare for: chaps are required, shank bits must have a cricket, be connected at the bottom and have an unbroken mouthpiece. Bosals cannot contain metal (no cable core) and snaffle bits must have a 2 piece mouthpiece. All legal mouthpieces are slightly thicker (3/8 inch). Horses in a hackamore or snaffle must be shown with two hands on the reins, except that one hand is permissible in the herd work. Use of the the romal to cue the horse (ie. spanking) is not penalized - though may be marked down under run content. Also, since class divisions are based on equipment (Hackamore class, Bridle class, etc.) as well as age of horse, you must show your horse in the specified equipment. Visit the Class Divisions page to read about the different NRCHA classes available. And when you're ready to get outfitted to show, don't forget to check out the cow horse vendors on DownTheFence.com.

The following are the rules under Section 5: Appointments & Equipment and Section 6: Broken Equipment from the NRCHA 2007 Official Handbook (2007 additions/changes are underlined). The handbook is mailed to current members; visit NRCHA for more information on membership.


5 Appointments & Equipment

5.1  Horses shall be shown astride with a western saddle. Riders must wear a western hat or helmet approved for riding by an equine organization, long sleeve shirt and chaps. Carrying of a rope or riata is optional.

5.2  A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must be used in any of the bridle classes. Said characteristics shall be: one with an unbroken bar mouthpiece with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top of the port. There must be an operable cricket inside the port of the bit. The diameter of the bar must be a minimum of 3/8 inch. The cheeks must be connected at the bottom. The overall length of the bit shall not be longer than 8 1/2 inches. Optional tongue release shall not exceed 3 inches in width.

5.3 Braces, copper port cover and/or having copper smoothly inlaid in the mouthpiece are optional. The use of bosal, martingale or tie-down is prohibited (bosal permitted in Two-Rein class only). No wire, chain or other metal or rawhide device may be used in conjunction with the bit or a part of the leather chin strap. Leather chin strap must be flat and at least 1/2 inch wide. Reins with romal required. The reins can be held in either hand, with hand around reins in a fist postion with thumbs up. The non-rein hand must be on the romal. (the keeper, or hobble, that attaches the romal to the reins is considered to be a part of the romal.) The non-rein hand is not allowed, at any time, to touch the reins or a score of -0- will be applied. The rider is allowed to shorten the reins while the horse is in motion as long as their hands are held in a legal manner. No fingers are permitted between the reins in Bridle classes, except in the Two-Rein class.

5.4 In the Two-Rein class bosals may be of any size, constructed of braided rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. No iron or foreign substance may be used. The rider must use one hand on the reins. Fingers between the reins will be permitted.

5.5 In an Approved show the same bridle or hackamore must be used throughout the class. If there is a finals, an equipment change is allowed for the finals, however, the same bridle or hackamore must be used throughout the finals.

5.6 Hackamores shall be round in shape and constructed of uniform braided rawhide or leather and have a non metal flexible core. No gimmick of any kind may be used in conjunction with the bosal. No rigid material of any kind may be used, regardless of how padded or covered, in conjunction with the bosal. Horse hair bosals are prohibited.

5.7 Snaffle Bit shall be either "D" or "0" Ring type, no larger than 4 inches in diameter on the inside of the ring. They must have a broken, 2 piece, mouth piece, being a minimum of 5/16 inch in diameter, measured 1 inch in from the cheek, with a gradual decrease to center of the snaffle. The mouthpiece should be round, oval or egg-shaped, smooth and unwrapped metal. It may be inlaid. but smooth or latex­wrapped. These bits must be such that when the reins are pulled no undue leverage is applied, i.e. the inside of the circumference of the ring must be free of rein. curb or head stall attachments. A leather or other woven material chin strap of any width is to be used. No iron, chain or other material may be used. Reins are to be attached above the chin strap. Two hands must be used on the reins, except in the herd work or to provide safety to rider or adjust equipment.

5.8 Rider or representative will drop the bridle to the designated bridle checker. The bridle checker must have a magnet available to check the hackamores and chin straps for metal objects (inside) or cores. Designated bridle checker will not touch horse's mouth.


6 Broken Equipment

6.1 If at anytime during a performance a piece of equipment breaks, the rider may continue provided the broken equipment does not pose a hazard to the rider and/or is not cruel to the horse. In the event that the fence work immediately follows the rein work, broken equipment may be repaired within a 1 minute time period. Rider may dismount if necessary to make the repair. Horse and rider may leave the arena and may not receive physical assistance or equipment from outside the arena. If the rider is unable to continue because of the broken equipment, the rider will be excused with a score of zero.


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