drop noseband fitting help pls!

Shooting Star

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Too much time off riding whilst I mend has at least let me see others working my boy and reconfirmed what I knew anyway that he'd likely be much better in a drop than a flash (have had teeth checked, is in loose ring french link as well and not strong just likes to pull faces and play so nothing nasty just a baby looking for the easy way out ;) )

Having searched my whole house for the damned drop that I know I own (but probably is in a sad state anyway by now) I've had to admit defeat and get a new one - ebay bargain £12 lovely english leather can't have been used more than 1/2 dozen times ... anyway I digress!

Got new noseband and thought I would add it to the bridle this evening to spice up life when he's exercised tomorrow and realised that I really couldn't remember how to fit one correctly (it has been 15+ yrs plus since I've had a drop - or at least since flashes became popular and I was in my teens :o)

... so the question for you all - is where I've drawn the dodgy white line about right?? (excuse poor quality and angle but at least it is his head so when you're all helpful I can work out where's best :p)

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Correct height is minimum of four fingers above nostrils, so white line looks in about the right place. You may want to go slightly higher when you see it on him though.
 
As above, I use one & that's where mine is. I found once mine was on it was easier to decide where it should sit. I think it's very obvious when they're too low- was spectating at the nationals a few years ago & I was amazed at how many drops were fitted too low & were sitting just above the nostrils!
 
As above, I use one & that's where mine is. I found once mine was on it was easier to decide where it should sit. I think it's very obvious when they're too low- was spectating at the nationals a few years ago & I was amazed at how many drops were fitted too low & were sitting just above the nostrils!

I personally don't like drops for this reason! So many people put them over the horses soft tissue and can cause breathing problems- I would always put the front bit as high as you can, while keeping it comfortable for the horse. I would have thought the number of fingers would depend on the size of horse/pony?
 
One of mine has a drop- (he loves it by the way!), but i would put it slightly higher than the line you have drawn so that it can't interfere with his breathing and soft tissue.
 
Four fingers above the nostril is what I would use as a rule for the lowest it can go, my girl loves hers so hopefully your horse will too!
 
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