Bridle - pros/cons of noseband

[CobSunshine]

I bought this bridle today,



http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/essen-bridle-reins-black-133794245/



I'm using with a plastic coated snaffle bit,

it lets me remove the smaller noseband at the front, the one which sits in front of the bit, what are the pros/cons of not using this noseband?

thanks!

 

[Kokopelli]

The flash (the name of smaller noseband) is only needed if your horse opens his mouth when you ride him.

Don't put one on if your horse doesn't open his mouth as it is very pointless just use a normal caveson.

 

[Steorra]

Very smart

As Kokopelli said, it's a flash noseband, and they are used to keep horses' mouths closed. Some horses open their mouths to avoid the contact with the riders hands. This is considered a fault in a dressage horse, and can make controlling the horse more difficult in any discipline.

Flashes have become fashionable in the last few years (don't know why) and lots of bridles are sold with them. Like most pieces of kit they can be useful in some circumstances and harmful in others. If done up tightly or incorrectly they put pressure on a sensitive part of the horse's face and can even restrict breathing. Even if fastened correctly they will cause some horses to object, as they restrict movement of the jaw.

If you don't need it, take it off.

 

[CobSunshine]

Thanks for great advice

 

[dressedkez]

I bought this bridle today,



http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/essen-bridle-reins-black-133794245/



I'm using with a plastic coated snaffle bit,

it lets me remove the smaller noseband at the front, the one which sits in front of the bit, what are the pros/cons of not using this noseband?

thanks!

The 'smaller' one sits under the bit. It is a bit scary that the flash noseband comes as standard for off the peg bridles now - good on you for asking questions about it.

 

[CobSunshine]

In the bridle i've been loaning she does open her mouth a lot when i'm riding, very wide too!

i took the decathlon bridle back as cob size didn't fit and got a full size Romeo bridle, its a figure 8 and has the "flash" as part of it

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/romeo-bridle-reins-brown-133793490/#


# Figure-eight noseband.
# Durability : Stretch-resistant full-grain buffalo leather.
# Cushioning : Figure-eight noseband with sheepskin pad.
# Easy adjustment : Buckle adjustment. Cheekpieces with hook stud.
# Easy care : Easy-care high quality leather.

I understand this is known as a grackle bridle?

What sort of finger gap should I have on the flash part and the main nose part?

do many here use grackles?

 

[Tickles]

If she is opening her mouth then chances are she is
- uncomfortable (bit/teeth/riders tension in arms all need checking)
- bored (heaps of suggestions on here for interesting things to try!)
- trying to avoid what you're asking (likely for one of the first two reasons or just because she doesn't fully trust you yet)

I'd check all of the above before trying a nose band that is designed to hide the problem by strapping her mouth shut.

Good luck!