Another noseband question

[Nicki85]

I posted last week asking for advice on nosebands, i decided that i would switch from the flash to the grackle for jumping/ x country. We had a jumping lesson last night and disscussed with instructor, she agreed that the grackle would be more efficent.

But i'm still in a bit of a dilema for flat work. Should i get a flash or a drop noseband? My instructor said that a drop will not stop her crossing her jaw, but i'm not sure if this is really a problem when we do flat work, its mainly when she gets eager and excited that she starts crossing her jaw.

So whats the benifits of a flash vs a drop?

 

[hellybelly6]

A flash was designed so that a standing martingale could be used with a drop nose band, it works lower down the face than a grackle which works over a wider area. It wont always stop jaw crossing as it works so far down. A correctly fitting flash should not have a bend in it when fitted and fits like a cavesson.

The drop noseband prevents the horse opening is mouth beyond the point of control, but does not always help with jaw crossing as again the action is concentrated lower down the face.

A grackle is used to prevent the horse crossing its jaws and opening its mouth beyond the point of control and has the added benefit that it does not crush the cheeks against potential sharp teeth and works over a larger surface area.

If your horse is not too bad on the flat, but starts crossing her jaw/opening her mouth when jumping or doing other exciting things, then I would recommend a drop for flat and a grackle for faster work. It is easier to just keep to the one noseband, but I always feel, less is more in some circumstances.

I have ridden my horse in a grackle and a flash and he prefers his grackle.