>I'm not really talking about Icelanders - FEIF almost seems to be more of a >European entity to me, but maybe I'm wrong.
It is European, but very strongly influenced by Iceland, Sweden and Germany purely because they have the most horses and the most members. >just a couple of years ago? Previously, there were descriptions (and >pictures too, I believe?) of allowed bits, then suddenly the rules were >rephrased to the vague "culture" phrasing. Why the regression to something >so vague? It used to be everything not specifically allowed is forbidden. Now it's everything not specifically forbidden is allowed. This was brought in mainly because there were so many new bits appearing on the market (like the Happy Mouth, for instance, which under the old rules wasn't allowed!). > >I've heard that, but it doesn't make sense to me. No, nor me, but I've heard many of the discussions at the various FEIF meetings which led to the rule being changed. There is no universal >definition of "driving bit" and some people drive in bits that are perfectly >acceptable riding bits - right? Yes.However, it's generally accepted that Wilton snaffles and Liverpool bits are not suitable for riding (just as an example). And, I betcha there are rules for driving >competitions that allow and disallow certain bits...? I'm guessing there. I imagine there are, especially at lower levels, but at International driving competitions I've seen all the horses have been in Liverpool bits, a lot of them on rough cheek (ie the lowest, most severe setting). >And all "western curb bits" most certainly aren't created equally. Some >I'd like to know >>specifically what about a "western bit" they'd want to ban Western and driving bits were just an example I thought of off the top of my head. To me, the words "Western bit" conjure up something that has 10 inch shanks on a spade bit (though not usually a broken bit, and never used with a drop noseband!!!!). >The language barrier seems like a convenient excuse to me. After all, it's Maybe it does seem an excuse to you - you've never been to a FEIF Delegates Assembly where people with around 12 different languages are trying to work together. All of them pretty much amateur volunteers running on a tight budget compared with something like the FEI.... >that - heck, if that was a real reason, they could simply start by copying >some of the FEI bitting rules, making adjustments as needed. I really wish they would do this! It's something John and I have been discussing, but it's bloody hard to get the support to push it through. (I've always >assumed they "stole" the FEIF acronym from the FEI, but maybe I'm wrong.) You are. It comes from (in my extremely poor written German) Federation European Islandpferde Freunde, the Federation of European Icelandic Horse Friends. BTW, Happy New Year! Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
