Bridle and noseband questions what with a Kimblewick and what suits a welsh cob?

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So I have bitten the bullet and we are getting a new saddle which for some reason I decided to get in Brown rather than black.

Since I am now going to spend some more pennies I thought I would see what you lot suggested so I know I am getting the right thing

Part 1 - When we jump we use a kimblewick as he is very strong and that provides the quick response to hold him until i release him, now we currently use it with a flash noseband as he does open his mouth to avoid the bit but I have noticed that the curb chain and the drop part of the flash tend to sit at the same point, is this something I should be concerned about and if so what other options no I have for the noseband?

Part 2 - of my question is what bridles suit a welsh cob he has a ponyish face. I curently have a Sabre Cordoba bridle but I do think this looks a bit to chunky on him

Advice pretty please so I don't end up wasting my money
 
I guess this means nobody has any suggestions but I have managed to find out that a grackle and kimblewick are a legal combination for BSJA so I guess it must be ok
 
Can't offer any advice as I've just posted myself for some bitting advice!!

I hadn't thought of trying a Kimblewick (strong horse when jumping on grass), but having read this will give it a go as I have one lying around.

Hope you get the right combination and congrats on the new tack!!
 
I used to have a Welsh D until last year. He wore a Sabre bridle as well but then he had quite a chunky head. I also used a kimblewick on him most of the time which suited him well. I personally wouldnt use a flash / grakle with a kimblewick... I never use anything other than a plain cavesson, IMO a horse who is happy with a bit will not open his mouth in the first place so if I were you I'd likely try some different bits.
 
I agree that in theory most horses should not need a grakle/flash with a kimblewick, however in practice I've found many natives are adept at crossing their jaws (my equine dentist explained how due to their jaw structure they are more able to do this) and a grakle even if fitted fairly loosely makes a huge difference to stop any evasions.

It isn't totally correct because the chin straps do get in the way of the curb, but it isn't harmful in any way so I'd give it a go and see how you get on. A plain cavesson fitted tightly can often be worse than a grakle due to the pressure on the cheeks and teeth.

I use Jeffries bridles btw :)
 
Thanks for your help everyone, think I might try him without the drop part of the flash and see how he goes but he can be a little ******, thinks he knows best and seems to know every trick in the book for getting around what i am asking of him when he sets his mind to it, E.g. when we have a jump in front of us and just wants to get to it as fast as his legs will take him.

We only use the kimblewick and flash when we are doing things that he finds exciting like jumping and fun rides for general schooling and hacking he has a NS lozenge and cavesson

Touchstone.....going to look at the Jefferies bridles now
 
If you use a drop noseband or a flash maybe you wouldn;t need the stronger bit? My cob schools ina snaffle but I need a drop noseband with it to have any control jumping. Works wonders.

As for what noseband suits - plain flat hunter type.
 
I'd use a drop or a mexican grackle in preference to a flash, they are effective when looser than a flash, are easier to fit correctly and the grackle will stop jaw crossing as well as mouth opening.

Having said that do check that he is comfy in the kimblewick, they are available with different mouthpieces so it might be worth trying a slightly different one if he is resisting. You can get straight bars, mullen mouths, and ports which may suit him better depending upon his mouth conformation. Do you use a slotted one? If so changing the slot you use or using it without the slots might be worth a try. Bear in mind you can also use a leather or elastic curb instead of a chain to vary the effect slightly.

It would be useful to have a video or get someone experienced to watch him and tell you exactly what he is doing when he resists so that you can tackle that rather than blindly fiddling.
 
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