Fitting a drop noseband

[Ziggy_]

So I've just bought a drop noseband to try on my mare for dressage - normally I school in a grackle and she's happy enough in that, but she doesn't like a flash and the brakes don't work in a cavesson!

Can anyone explain how to fit it correctly, pics would be brilliant? I've been told four finger widths above the top of the nostrils - is this correct?

Thanks

 

[suzysparkle]

Yes 4 fingers above the top of the nostrils and not tight. You should comfortably be able to get 2 fingers under it. Drops are brilliant nosebands.

 

[NeedNewHorse]

Hi, I don't really know but I would think, if I had to fit one now (not seen one for years) I would do it up, so it was just below the bit, i.e there shouldn't be much if any space, between the bit and then the noseband. So if you were to do it up and it hung much lower than the bit ie the strap around, I would take this to be wrong.

But then again, don't listen to me! (google some pics or look in a catalogue to be sure)

 

[NR99]

Ditto this!

Let me know how you get on with drop as considering one of these as an alternative to a grackle to.

 

[Ziggy_]

Thanks guys - I'm surprised by how loose it is supposed to be though. Two fingers - would that be a similar sort of tightness to what you'd normally expect with a cavesson?

 

[NeedNewHorse]

Do it up, but don't do it tight or anything.. And then see how it goes. You can always loosen it or tighten it if need be. But I think it's one of those things that you will know then it is on correctly.

 

[Barbara_LF]

Many people do up the drops extremely tight, but I would advise against it. The horse needs room to chew softly on the bit without feeling uncomfortable.
Also, with the constant pressure of a tight noseband, the horse will never get a reward for being soft in the contact.