Drop nosebands again, sorry didnt want to hijack post

L

Louby

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 July 2005
Messages
6,591
Visit site
Ive had awful trouble with my boy drawing back his tongue and have tried probably every type of bit going and also a flash and a drop. Any suggestions appreciated
confused.gif

My question is .... is there some horses that cannot have a drop noseband as in the shape of there face, size of mouth etc.
My boy seems to have a short mouth (side on view) and if I put a drop on it looks too low or if I raise it looks like its pulling the bit too high in his mouth and then rubs the sides of his mouth/lips where the bit is. He has a very over active mouth which doesnt help.
If I use a Flash, it looks fine when fitted but the noseband part seems to pull down and the flash strap ends up looser. Its not too loose to start with, both the noseband or flash strap and I cant higher the noseband anymore as his cheek bones are there. I think hes quite short between his cheekbone and muzzle?
 
You probably know this already, but as a general guide, the drop noseband should be fitted so that it sits 4 fingers above the nostrils, and done up quite tight, otherwise it will drop down too low (you should be able to just about get one finger in between the back strap of the noseband and the horses curb groove.

My horse also used to draw up his tongue and open his mouth but, on advice from my dressage trainer, I put him in a lozenged eggbut snaffle and a drop noseband, and he's now accepting the bit well. Her theory is that horses that are reluctant to accept the bit seem to prefer something more fixed that they can almost lean on, like an eggbut, and a drop keeps their mouths shut more effectively than a flash!

Good luck.
 
umm, i've used a drop on loads of different horses, and haven't had a problem. i know they can look a bit weird, esp on a horse with a very long ugly face (see horse in 2 left hand photos in my siggie!)
i do think it depends a lot which bit you use them with though. i always use a full-cheek snaffle, as then the drop fits neatly under the straight parts, and can't possibly slide up, unlike with an eggbutt or loose-ring.
if you raise it a little so it looks right (and is 4 fingers' width above top of nostril) then you can have it a little looser and it will still be effective. definitely shouldn't rub, i've never had one do that.
hope that helps a bit.
 
Drops in the shops these days are often too long across the nose section. My 2 big hunter-types wear cob size. Agree with kerelli re fit.
 
Thanks for your replies.
The drops Ive had, never looked quite right, fit and size wise, I could do with trying to find the older type that can be altered across the nose too as when I try to raise the drop, the buckled strap pulls the bit upwards and gives him a smile
grin.gif
so maybe the problems that the noseband part is too long??? and if it was shorter it would sit better.
Its great to hear that this awful tongue habit can be broken
grin.gif
grin.gif
. I find he is better with a hanging cheek or fixed bit too but then he feels heavy and seems to lean so I end up going back to my Neue Schule lozenge loose ring. I will definately try an Eggbutt lozenge bit. Thank you.
 
Rats is right, cob size is usually big enough for hunters, most of my drops are cob size. most modern ones are too long across the front now. i asked for one to be specially made to my spec, and on the third attempt (by a saddler who'd obviously never seen one!) it was still wrong, in spite of me providing exact measurements!
 
I know exactly what you mean at RS I used to work at we had a horse that liked the drop action but his lips were very shallow - only way of fitting drop was 2finders above nostrils or pulling bit up in his mouth.

Kerilli - don't agree on sizing - we bought Jefferies Full and had to take it back as it didn't go near either horses head, now have Sabre in full which fits Deedee fine but loosest hole is only just 1 finger under it on Hugo - waiting to ask someone to make me a made to measure
 
I was starting to thnk I had a horse with a massive head as I too bought a Jeffries in full and it didnt go near him
grin.gif
crazy.gif
although his Jeffries full size bridle is near the top holes on the head piece and with everyone saying cob size normally fits lol. I will have another look and see if I can get one to fit with out increasing the size of his mouth.
Thanks everyone.
 
Please, Id appreciate that. I did get an xfull off Ebay, dont know what make though and it fit great although rubbed the sides of his mouth so I took it to a saddler whos ace but reknown for taking ages and I havent seen it since, that was last year!! I'd asked him to make me some sort of cover in calf skin or something to try to stop it rubbing.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for your replies.
The drops Ive had, never looked quite right, fit and size wise, I could do with trying to find the older type that can be altered across the nose too as when I try to raise the drop, the buckled strap pulls the bit upwards and gives him a smile
grin.gif
so maybe the problems that the noseband part is too long??? and if it was shorter it would sit better.


[/ QUOTE ]

Like this ?
cool.gif
 
Donkeys have shorter mouths than horses and I use a drop on one with no problems. What I did find, as with others, was that the actual nose straps are too long. I've got a good saddler locally though. I also have a Shires Cob size still with the label on looking for a nice new home for Christmas!
wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

i do think it depends a lot which bit you use them with though. i always use a full-cheek snaffle, as then the drop fits neatly under the straight parts, and can't possibly slide up, unlike with an eggbutt or loose-ring.


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for that interesting advice. I'm a great advocate of them, but was disapointed by my horse's reaction a couple of weeks ago to it. I was using a normal eggbut, and he seemed unhappy in his mouth and felt restricted and cautious, (despite the fact that it fitted correctly and was done up the right about.) Might give it another try now with something else in its mouth.
 
Kerilli - he's ok on the biggest hole - I just get peed off trying to put the end through the tab! Will order another one after the xmas rush - fits Deedee a treat though being a dantier girly!

Will measure it tonight and post later
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top