Drei Regeln hat die AQHA geändert, die ab dem 1. August 2011 gelten:
Rule 441(c): Massives Ziehen oder Reissen an Ketten oder Lip Chains in Halter-Klassen wird bestraft. Rule 448(d): Lip Chains (Kette verläuft über dem Zahnfleisch) sind in allen Jugend-und Amateurhalterklassen (ausser Weanlingklassen, bei der Versatility Ranch Horse sowie der Performance Halter) sowie in der Openhalter bei den Hengsten erlaubt
Rule 448(e): Zudem wurden die Abläufe beim Richten einer Halterklasse spezifiziert:
(1) Horses will walk to the judge one at a time. As the horse approaches, the judge will step to the right (left of the horse) to enable the horse to trot straight to a cone placed at least 35 feet (10 meters) away. At the cone, the horse will continue trotting, turn to the left and trot toward the left wall or fence of the arena. After trotting, horses will be lined up head to tail for individual inspection by the judge. The judge shall inspect each horse from both sides, front and rear. At single-judged shows, the judge should line the horses to be placed in a head-to-tail order according to preference.
(2) A well-mannered horse is a horse that (1) is under control by the exhibitor while tracking and standing for inspection and (2) is reasonably still and flat-footed while standing for inspection.
(3) For purposes of this rule, the term “disruptive behavior” includes, but is not limited to rearing, striking, biting, or backing or falling into others. Judges should disqualify and excuse from the ring prior to final placing a horse that:
(A) exhibits disruptive behavior such that it or other horses are unable to be inspected by the judge;
(B) exhibits disruptive behavior such that the safety of it, the handler, an exhibitor, a judge or another horse is endangered;
(C) is not under the control of the exhibitor;
(D) becomes detached from the exhibitor;
(E) has fallen and is on its side with all four feet extended in the same direction;
(F) is observed with blood on its body, including, but not limited to, the nose, chin, mouth, tongue, or gums, regardless of cause; or
(G) is lame
(4) Rather than disqualify, a judge may choose to fault a horse that is exhibiting disruptive behavior so long as such disruptive behavior does not qualify as being any of the behaviors described in (A) - (E) immediately above.
(5) If a horse exhibits disruptive behavior described in (A) - (E) immediately above and causes other exhibitor(s) to lose their horse(s), only the initiating horse will be disqualified and excused. The decision of the judge(s) will be final.
(6) All stallions 2 years old and over shall be examined to confirm that they have two visible testicles. All mares and stallions shall be examined for parrot mouth (see Rule 205(a)). If examination reveals that a horse has parrot mouth or is cryptorchid, such horse should be excused from the ring prior to final placing by the judge regardless of whether the parrot mouth or cryptorchid condition is marked on the horse’s registration certificate.
