A noseband question

[Chestersmummy]

I ride in a flash noseband as my horse open his mouth to avoid the bit. His teeth are ok so I know this isn't the problem as are his back tack etc.
In a flash he goes really nicely. But he hates me doing the flash up so yesterday I was thinking of tryong a drop noseband, but as I have never used one I'm not sure how effective they are.

 

[EPRider]

In my opinion drop nosebands are far superior to a flash.

 

[Cortez]

Drop nosebands went out of fashion about 20 years ago and the flash came in, before that drop nosebands were seen on pretty much everything, dressage, SJ and eventing. They are more effective, in my opinion, in doing the job of keeping a horse's mouth closed. They must be correctly fitted, 'tho - not too low (pressing on the cartilage, too near the nostrils) or too high (ineffective and pulling the bit up against the corners of the horse's mouth) on the horse's nose.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I'd be looking at a different bit, horses open their mouths because they are uncomfortable - what bit are you using atm?

 

[JBP]

Bit may be to thick for his mouth so can't close his jaw fully so putting a flash on would just cause pressure

 

[Megibo]

had my horse in a dutch gag and flash, put a drop noseband on and back to a normal snaffle within days... need I say more I really like them. Definitely make sure they are fitted properly though.

 

[ridefast]

I've always gone for drop over flash, find them much more effective

 

[YardGeek]

I've just changed my horse from a crank/flash combo to a flash a couple of months ago and the change has been fantastic!
He is so much more stable in the contact as he disliked the pressure around his molars which was in turn causing more tension so more evasion.
You do have to be very careful with the fit as it is far easier to cause damage with a drop than with a flash. I would also recommend going down a size from full to cob as I have found that otherwise you end up with too much extra leather, either that or you get one made to fit the horse.

 

[Chestersmummy]

Hes in a french link snaffle. He is ok when he has the bit combined with his grakle noseband. He has always opened his mouth, regardless of which bit he has.
I might try and get a drop to see how he goes in it.