Paramount, and easily detected is the evidence of blood or sores in the mouth. All judges and owners should inspect the mouths of horses presented to them. No tolerance should be allowed in this area. Next in consideration of bitting should be side reins and draw reins. Both are devices that when used correctly are kind to the horse, because they encourage flexion and lightness.
Correct use involves gradual shortening and limited times of schooling.
These reins must be used to tack the horse the desired head position, not to force him into a frame or worse yet punish him. The dumb jock is a vertical extension of the harness saddle, allowing the check rein to be hooked higher. This tool should never be used by anyone not extremely knowledgeable in the structure of the horse and is not at all necessary to teach a horse to elevate his front end. The AMHA requires that an appropriate driving whip be carried at all times. The whip is an important aid of communication with a driving horse, as you do not have leg pressure as you do when riding.