- If I don't braid my horse's mane at a show - will it negatively affect my score?  And, does the type of braid matter?  [answer]

 - I am confused about the use of flexible rubber bits.  I looked at the rules regarding bits permitted in Dressage and in one paragraph it says "...bits may be covered with rubber and flexible rubber bits are not permitted."  but in the very next paragraph, following the pictures of the legal bits, it says Flexible rubber or synthetic mouth pieces are permitted."  Is the first statement a typo?  [answer]