Alternatives to flash nosebands?

[Cop-Pop]

I currently use a flash noseband on the horse - when I broke her in I used a cavesson but she either got her tongue over the bit or spent the entire time with her mouth open and waving her nose in teh air

She goes reasonably well in teh flash but she doesnt like it being tightened and when she gets hot and sweaty under it she starts head shaking

I'm not sure what to try her in though - I just want to keep her mouth shut and her tongue under the bit

 

[cjdjivanovic]

Drop noseband?

 

[Lippyx]

Well,I have heard that removing the flash and lowering the cavesson nose band a few holes is meant to be the same (make sure its not too low!)
What about a drop nose band?

 

[merlinsquest]

Or let her have her freedom and use a tongue layer. Its a shame to strap her shut if she is going to headshake instead

 

[Ezme]

99% of horses who put thier tounge over the bit do it because either theres not enough room for it under, making it hard to swallow or they dislike the pinching or nutcracker of joints. try some other bits, then i'd say a drop as theres less leather to get sweaty under

 

[Cop-Pop]

I thought about a drop but the only ones in the tack shop were rather expensive so I didn't want to buy one and it not work

I shall have a look on eBay

MQ - What's a tongue layer? It sounds intriguing!!

I can stop her head shaking if I remember to stop and wipe her mouth down every so often - I get some very funny looks tho!!

 

[Ezme]

If you need to wipe her mouth down that much sounds like she can't swallow.....

 

[merlinsquest]

If you google it it will show you a rubbery thing that you wrap round the bit and it goes back towards the rear of the tongue, making it hard for the horse to get the tongue over the bit!!

Looks a bit weird but does work

http://www.shop4bits.com/item--Rubber-Tongue-Layer--Rubber-tongue-layer.html

 

[Cop-Pop]

[ QUOTE ]
99% of horses who put thier tounge over the bit do it because either theres not enough room for it under, making it hard to swallow or they dislike the pinching or nutcracker of joints. try some other bits, then i'd say a drop as theres less leather to get sweaty under

[/ QUOTE ]

She's in a french link snaffle atm - it's the only bit she's been happy in. She has a very soft mouth but doesn't like the rubber ones.

 

[Cop-Pop]

[ QUOTE ]
If you need to wipe her mouth down that much sounds like she can't swallow.....

[/ QUOTE ]

I meant wipe the sweat away - it just looks like I'm wiping her mouth

 

[cjdjivanovic]

When she has her teeth done ask the dentist about the tongue comfort / swallowing issue; they know about conformation of mouth and tongue generally, not just teeth.

 

[emma69]

First, a teeth check if she hasn't had one recently. Secondly, you might find a thinner bit works well - you can get frech links in different thicknesses, some horses prefer a thinner and lighter one with the same action. The conventional wisom is thinner = harsher, which is true, but provided your hands are good there should be no issues.

 

[millitiger]

how young/old is she now?
i would try and find out why she is unhappy in her mouth instead of strapping her shut if this has been an issue since she was broken.

my 4yro was a bit mouthy and i could have put a flash on but instead i tried lots of bits and really thought about the shape of her mouth. she is now in a hippus bit (£130!!) but is so happy and confident in it and goes beautifully without any resistance at all.

 

[Ezme]

perhaps a myler ported comfort snaffle? it has a double (but converd joint) and it quite thin with tounge relief. You can often hire them before you buy.

 

[humph]

I'd stick with a cavesson and treat the problem, rather than masking it - if she's getting her tongue over the bit or opening her mouth, it sounds like she's unhappy with the bit as others have suggested. Neue Schule do a lovely lozenge snaffle that has slightly angled arms to allow for more tongue space - might be worth trying that - can't remember what it's called but something like tranz angled lozenge or similar.

 

[Cop-Pop]

She's 9 now and her teeth are done every six months

Her bit is fairly thin - I can't remember the make but its thinner than the ones in teh tack shop, I had to send away for it. It's about the 15th bit we tried - she has a very soft mouth and we early went bitless but I couldnt find someone at the time who knew enough about it.