Flash nosebands.. help!?

[ridersince2002]

someone has recomended I try a flash on the pony I rode because she goes round with her head in the air and her mouth wide open evading the bit- she's had her teeth, back ect. checked- does anyone know a way I can convert a plain caveson into a flash? I'd rather not buy something new at the
moment until I know if she's going to get along with it as moneys a bit tight, but I do have a flash strap somewhere...
and also, does anyone know wheather you can use flashes when showing?

I know they strap the jaw shut, and if done up too tightly they can damage teeth and cheeks so Im deffinately going to be careful!
it's just I think I would rathe ride her in a snaffle and flash than a Waterford gag which is what she's in at the moment and I dont really want to go on in that if I can help it!
any advice would be appreciated alot thanks for reading all this x

 

[Henbug]

You can get very cheaply something to convert a plain cavesson, basically just a piece of leather that goes round the cavesson and then flash loops through to keep it on. Really badly explained but they do make them. will go see if i can find a picture of one to try and explain....

 

[Henbug]

Found one

only about £2 ish

 

[ridersince2002]

thanks alot x

 

[AndySpooner]

If she's evading the bit, I'd look a bit deeper than strapping her mouth shut. If there is an issue once you have strapped her mouth shut she will find something else to do. Then what?

 

[Divasmum]

Glad you have sorted out the flash converter. Have you had her teeth done recently? They are worth having checked if you haven't incase they are causing discomfort.

 

[tallyho!]

Also change the snaffle to a french link because some ponies don't like the uneven pull the plain snaflle has on the mouth.

 

[AndySpooner]

I like a french link as it stops the nut cracker effect of a plain snaffle which can be harsh if the hands are a bit heavy.

 

[misterjinglejay]

Agree with Andy, also a loose ring can sometimes be better than an eggbutt.

Can I ask, though, why is she in a waterford gag?

 

[huntley]

I would try a Standing Martingale until you can get the schooling sorted. You can use a running martingale on the cavesson but make sure it is fitted properly otherwise it won't do the job. You may be asking alot going from a Waterford gag to a snaffle - I agree about the french link - maybe a fulmer which again will give more steering.

 

[amandap]

If she's evading the bit, I'd look a bit deeper than strapping her mouth shut. If there is an issue once you have strapped her mouth shut she will find something else to do. Then what?

I tend to agree with this. Having a good look at why first is a good option. Here's a good site have a good read around on it. http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php#flash

 

[spotty_pony]

I also prefer using a french link to a single jointed snaffle. I think it would be worth trying her with a flash, but also I would put a running martingale on her if she is trying to evade the bit by carrying her head to high.

 

[ridersince2002]

she's in a waterford gag as she really leans on my hands and it gives her nothing to lean on, we tried a plain loose ring waterford and she still doesnt go well in that so we tried it in a gag and that was the best sues ever been, but I'd rather not keep her in it forever as I'm not the best of riders and I know that (but I'm not completely useless, I'm 14 and have ridden about 8 years) and I'm scared I'm going to hurt her mouth because my hands arnet always even.
she hates the snaffles with one joint, goes better in a french link, and I now have RSI in my wrist from having her in a jointed kimblewick (the joint stopped the curb from working properly an it was more like a hanging snaffle)

she was never properly broken in because she was quite quiet to break and was owned by a 13yo when she was a baby (she's 16 now) and all she ever did was galloping around the woods, so she was never schooled.
I think that if I had a french link or a dutch gag and a flash it might work because to evade the bit she opens her mouth and chucks her head up, and she's in a martingale and every time her owner sees me ride her she ties another knot in it to make it tighter!

I'm open to any suggestions- i just don't think it's fair on her to be in such a harsh bit, I want to try to school her out of it and I have tried but
our schooling sessions normally consist of alot of bolting.

her teeth, back, tack ect are all fine she's just being her!
again thanks for reading all this, I think it's sort of a more in-depth repeat of my original post :S sorry! and sorry for any spelling mistakes x