flash noseband causes swelling

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eventer28

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My horse is a 16.2hh, fine skinned TB x Arab x pony and when I show-jump him he sometimes opens his mouth and crosses his jaw. He goes very nicely in a french link bit with a padded flash noseband. I dont over tighten the flash noseband but he always gets a hot swelling on his nose when i remove the bridle. He must be trying to open his mouth against the noseband/flash. Any advise? Would any other noseband be more suitable? Ps.. He is nicely schooled on the flat with or without his flash.
 
eventer28 said:
My horse is a 16.2hh, fine skinned TB x Arab x pony and when I show-jump him he sometimes opens his mouth and crosses his jaw. He goes very nicely in a french link bit with a padded flash noseband. I dont over tighten the flash noseband but he always gets a hot swelling on his nose when i remove the bridle. He must be trying to open his mouth against the noseband/flash. Any advise? Would any other noseband be more suitable? Ps.. He is nicely schooled on the flat with or without his flash.
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There are times when a milder bit, when used with a flash can be harsher than just changing to a stronger bit and I think this is one of them. If you were riding in a single jointed snaffle then I would say your horse's evasion is due to pain with the joint hitting the roof of his mouth, but as he is in a French Link then clearly this is not the case. However, French Links do cause their own type of discomfort and that is on the tongue. If the horse is pulling, then this pain will get worse and so he will try to open his mouth. Personally (just for jumping) I would try a mullen mouth pelham and normal cavesson noseband. With good hands this is a very comfortable and kind bit and many horses go extremely relaxed in them. If you really don't want to go that way then I would try a Demi anky bit which is a single jointed snaffle that is curved to avoid pressure on the roof of the mouth whilst leaving room for the tongue (unlike a French Link).
 
Where is the swelling on her nose?

A drop or a grackle may be more confortable, depending on where the swelling is occurrig.
 
You could try a drop or grackle and see whether either is any better. They can normally get the same effect without needing to be quite so tight.
 
Have been riding (something strong who does open mouth with a bit) without a bit lately I'd be tempted to try *not* using a nose band. Horse being well-schooled on the flat isn't the same as well-schooled over jumps. Can you try mixing it up a bit more? I.e. ride circles, serpentines, leg yield, whatever you normally do on the flat and then pop a pole, and then do some more on the flat. That way it isn't a VERY EXCITING JUMPING SESSION it is just a jump or two with horse's 'good' frame of mind associated with flat work. Transfer some of the schooling mindset over if you see what I mean?

ETS: I like my horse's movement more when horse can concentrate on forwardness rather than fighting bit/noseband. Have been surprised it seems to have made a difference to that but it has.
 
He doesn't pull much at all, he is very soft in his mouth, I think it's the steering that causes the mouth to open when we are jumping.. I think he would overbend terribly in a pelham..
 
If it is the bridge of his nose I would try a high grackle first (you can get one with sheepskin for extra padding).
 
eventer28 said:
He doesn't pull much at all, he is very soft in his mouth, I think it's the steering that causes the mouth to open when we are jumping.. I think he would overbend terribly in a pelham..
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Okay. I was picturing a really strong horse. If it is just the steering, you could try a French Link with full cheeks.
 
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