Cavesson vs crank

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Walrus

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Hi,

We are currently bridle shopping and there is so much more choice if we opt for a crank noseband over a cavesson.

So the question, if not done up too tight (I get it's much easier to over tighten a crank) is there any difference between the two?

Thanks.
 
The way some cranks are padded can push fleshy cheeks into the molars much more easily than a flat cavesson.
 
OK, here’s my take on it... I generally hate crank nose bands with a passion; they can be over-padded to “compensate” for the crank fastening, and end up pressing the cheeks in to press on the teeth.

Having said that... I have a crank noseband on my “posh” bridle, and it was a truely frivolous purchase as I wanted a patent noseband, and the crank was the *only* noseband I could find in my size.

It is fastened, but I actually put the whole thing on (and take it off) without unfastening it, and it is still more stable than his standard cavesson (which tends to flop around if done up to 2fingers tightness).

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I don’t know if it makes a difference that the noseband itself is cut-away to shape around the jaw or not...

I still don’t like crank fastenings, and I certainly wouldn’t “crank it” tight, but it is OK for 30 mins schooling here and there!
 
I use the crank on my IR as an ordinary cavesson and it seems fine. I hate cranks but it's so blooming difficult to find a nice cavesson bridle these days :-(
 
i neded a new bridle as mine was over 40 years old and was virtually falling apart so went to local tack shop and couldnt find any with just a cavesson noseband, they were all cranks. i tried it for a little while but didnt like it as felt it was too bulky so bought a cavesson noseband and am much happier with it. the crank is hanging up in my spare bedroom, i will get rid of it eventually as i will never use it.
 
the bridle i liked had a crank on it, and i just never tighten it as much. horse goes exactly the same as he did in the cavesson (and he's a fussy horse, he'd tell you if he didn't like it!)
 
You can buy the components separately. You could try the crank just because you like the bridle and then buy a nose band separately if it doesn't work out.
 
I have had cranks on all my horses, don't need to do them up tightly and if you buy the right design then there's no more mouth-squashing than with a normal cavesson. I think they sit better on some horses because of the articulation of the jaw pad on the rings :)
 
All my bridles have crank nosebands - apart from the Micklem bridle. I don't do them up tight - I'm old enough that two fingers fitting under the nose piece was drummed into me and like mp above said, there is no mouth squashing. I also take the flash straps off them but that if just my preference from not using a flash.
 
I prefer crank nosebands as they distribute the pressure evenly, with the buckle only on one side I find this pulls the whole bridle wonky.

I don't do any of my nosebands up tightly. In fact, the stewards at the Winter Regionals had a good laugh at my headcollar when doing my tack check.
 
I also prefer cranks, they sit better for me. I like the padded front as I find they sit stiller, I find you can have a padded crank loose and it doesn't move. I had someone come for a lesson las week in a loose fitting cavesson and it bumped up and down in rhythm with the horses pace. I had to tighten it to get it to be still and stop irritating the poor horse.

However I am sure there are cranks and cranks and it is finding the right one is important.
 
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