Flash noseband for stability

[Hormonal Filly]

I took the flash off my horses bridle a couple of months ago because she doesn’t open her mouth or evade, so why have it? If I’m honest she hasn’t been going the best - seems unhappy in the mouth and playing with the bit a lot. Teeth and everything up to date, also had bit checked.

I put the flash back on yesterday, quite loose 3 fingers tight.

She rode like a totally different horse.
I’m assuming the flash stabilises the bit in her mouth and she prefers that.

I got shot down by a livery who hates a flash but the difference was outstanding. Supple, bending, pushing from behind, she felt lovely for 5yo. Surely it isn’t wrong to use a flash noseband for stability, and if the horse is happier with it.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

My husband (trainer) would love your comments. He maintains the correct use of the flash noseband is to stabilise the bit in the mouth. Many people genuinely believe it is to keep the horses mouth closed.

 

[palo1]

I took the flash off my horses bridle a couple of months ago because she doesn’t open her mouth or evade, so why have it? If I’m honest she hasn’t been going the best - seems unhappy in the mouth and playing with the bit a lot. Teeth and everything up to date, also had bit checked.

I put the flash back on yesterday, quite loose 3 fingers tight.

She rode like a totally different horse.
I’m assuming the flash stabilises the bit in her mouth and she prefers that.

I got shot down by a livery who hates a flash but the difference was outstanding. Supple, bending, pushing from behind, she felt lovely for 5yo. Surely it isn’t wrong to use a flash noseband for stability, and if the horse is happier with it.

I think it is helpful to remember that stability of the bit comes from several places: the horse's true acceptance, comfort and confidence are vital but other things can help provide that stability. The Micklem bridle was designed with that in mind but more traditionally, the drop noseband and the grackle can give greater stability. The Flash noseband only became fashionable because it enabled the effect of both of those nosebands but with the addition of a standing martingale. I don't think their use is all bad actually but the need for one does indicate that more work should be done on the acceptance of the bit and aids. In a perfect world lol!!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

My husband (trainer) would love your comments. He maintains the correct use of the flash noseband is to stabilise the bit in the mouth. Many people genuinely believe it is to keep the horses mouth closed.

Thank you, that makes me feel much better. People are quick to judge, but if she continues to go so nicely in a loose flash I’ll use one.

 

[criso]

Might be worth trying a drop if you can borrow one. When Fairfax did research into nosebands, Grackles and drops came out best.

My old horse went much better in a drop than a Cavesson or flash.

Current horse is in a micklem and when the noseband strap stretched, was definitely happier when I tightened it s little. Not tight but not flapping around either.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve come across plenty of horses that prefer the stability with a bottom strap, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a flash, and it doesn’t have to be tight. Ignore internet warriors and listen to what your horse prefers

 

[little_critter]

Might be worth trying a drop if you can borrow one. When Fairfax did research into nosebands, Grackles and drops came out best.

My old horse went much better in a drop than a Cavesson or flash.

Current horse is in a micklem and when the noseband strap stretched, was definitely happier when I tightened it s little. Not tight but not flapping around either.

I used to use a drop. It was loose but gave enough stability to the bit to make my horse happier in the contact.

 

[millikins]

Another whose pony was so much happier when we put a drop noseband on to stabilise the bit.

 

[Hallo2012]

and another -2 ponies and both prefer a loose flash to stabilise the bit!

 

[ponynutz]

I was on a yard that started all their horses in a flash for that exact reason. I moved mine to a grackle after she made it clear cavesson only wasn’t for her and thought exactly the same as you. She’s on a cavesson only now but only because she’s a happy hacker and doesn’t need a stable bit really, I never ask her to work properly.

Tack can be misused and unfortunately in the flashes case many people misuse it and believe (or are taught) that is what it’s purpose is for.

 

[Ceifer]

I had a mare that was very similar. I don’t like flashes - especially teamed with crank nose bands that you cannot get away from.

She loved the micklem.

 

[Carrottom]

I'm another who prefer a drop noseband to a flash. I have also found that a hanging cheek bit can help. I have used this bit on ex racers who are accustomed to have the bit very high in the mouth and therefore not much movement.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think if a horse is obviously happier in a piece of tack or bit then it’s silly to try and force what we believe to be the comfier or kinder option.
We have a horse, now retired who wore a grackle and universal gag type bit. The amount of times I tried to change one or both and everything would go wrong!
Anything is only as strong as your hands if it’s correctly fitted imo

 

[Cortez]

I think if a horse is obviously happier in a piece of tack or bit then it’s silly to try and force what we believe to be the comfier or kinder option.
We have a horse, now retired who wore a grackle and universal gag type bit. The amount of times I tried to change one or both and everything would go wrong!
Anything is only as strong as your hands if it’s correctly fitted imo

Whilst I completely agree with this ^^^ it's been nearly 30 years since I've used either a flash or a drop type of noseband. Or a snaffle, now I think about it.

 

[Rowreach]

I use a loose flash on mine, it seems to have a nose net effect on her and she's much happier with it on.

Just for clarity, a the purpose of a flash as well as for stability is to prevent the horse from opening its mouth beyond the point of control, not to keep its mouth closed - there is a real difference between the two, but if you look up the purpose of a flash then most places talk about keeping the mouth closed, which implies that it needs to be tight. A properly fitted flash strap, as well as the cavesson part being at the correct height on the nose, and not being dragged down, should be loose enough to allow the mouth to open and the jaw to move, up to a point, and not prevent the horse from swallowing.

Like many other bits of tack that are berated, they are only the work of the devil if people don't fit them correctly and don't have a clue why they are using them on that particular horse.

If you look at eventing photos you will see a lot of horses with tight flashes, lips bulging round them, and a nasal strip to help them breathe ...

 

[sbloom]

The flash is generally too much of a compromise, the angle and physics of it just don't work as well as other solutions. Plus to work correctly the flash needs the cavesson part to be done up pretty firmly. To that end I'd always say look to the choice of bit, the true acceptance of contact, and then a dropped noseband (with buckles over the nose for full adjustability) if needs really must. I used to quite like them but the more I see work on the relationship to contact the more I think they shouldn't be needed either.

 

[criso]

The flash is generally too much of a compromise, the angle and physics of it just don't work as well as other solutions. Plus to work correctly needs the cavesson to be done up pretty firmly. To that end I'd always say look to the choice of bit, the true acceptance of contact, and a dropped noseband (with buckles over the nose for full adjustability) if needs really must. I used to quite like them but the more I see work on the relationship to contact the more I think they shouldn't be needed either.

So what would you use if your horse hates a Cavesson like mine did? The problem wasn't the bit or the contact, just not liking a noseband in that position.

Whether it's right or wrong, you need some kind of noseband for dressage rules so now a drop would probably be my first choice.

 

[Rowreach]

The cavesson part only has to be tight if the flash strap is tight. Correctly fitted, neither are tight, although I do agree that many types of flash noseband have a narrow padded cavesson part with inserted loop, which is more prone to pulling down than a flat hunter type with a stitched on loop for the flash strap is.

 

[Miss_Millie]

So what would you use if your horse hates a Cavesson like mine did? The problem wasn't the bit or the contact, just not liking a noseband in that position.

Whether it's right or wrong, you need some kind of noseband for dressage rules so now a drop would probably be my first choice.

No noseband? Lots of western riders don't have a noseband at all on their bridles.

 

[blitznbobs]

I had a mare who liked a drop… hated a caversson and didn’t like a flash.. if she didn’t have a noseband on she applied the breaks. Quirky but she knew what she liked so that is what she got

 

[criso]

No noseband? Lots of western riders don't have a noseband at all on their bridles.

As I said if you want to do any sort of dressage, rules state you have to wear a noseband.

 

[BSL2]

Now I have fitted my flash correctly (cavesson not too low). Me and my horse love it. All about correct fitting. And for us, it doesn't have to be ridiculously tight.

 

[Polos Mum]

I think a grackle is a good option. The proper figure of 8 type are easier to do up loosely and sit higher up (well clear of softer nose parts) so more of an angle to stabilise the bit vs. a flash.

Mine goes in no noseband most of the time but if I'm doing dressage where it's mandated then the grackle is the one he's happiest in.

OP - if it's not broken - don't fix it. But if you feel under pressure maybe try something that has the same physical impact without the negative connotations.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Whilst I completely agree with this ^^^ it's been nearly 30 years since I've used either a flash or a drop type of noseband. Or a snaffle, now I think about it.

What do you use?

I’ve not used a flash in a long time either. Current horse has a cavesson, he also has a grackle but I fully admit we have issues that I hope schooling will fix and the grackle is only used in certain situations.

 

[Cortez]

[QUOTE="poiuytrewq, post: 15118490, member: What do you use?
[/QUOTE]

Oh, don't mind me, I don't (or didnt) do normal type riding. Mostly classical displays and Doma Vaquera, so one-handed on a curb, simple strap noseband, not on the headstall.

 

[poiuytrewq]

[QUOTE="poiuytrewq, post: 15118490, member: What do you use?

Oh, don't mind me, I don't (or didnt) do normal type riding. Mostly classical displays and Doma Vaquera, so one-handed on a curb, simple strap noseband, not on the headstall.
[/QUOTE]
I thought possibly that kind of thing, I think some beautiful photos