flash nosebands

[noblesteed]

How tight should your flash be?
My instructor fastened my boys' as tight as she could and told me thats how it should be. She also tightened the noseband up as tight as she could. Me laddo now hates his flash strap with a vengeance and throws his head round when I try to fasten it.
What do u reckon? The books i'v read say u should fit a finger or two in the gaps. I'v just changed instructors and so nobody is gonna tell me off for removing the bloody flash strap altogether, and i'm of the mind to take notice of what my poor horse is trying to tell me. I mean I wouldn't take kindly to having my mouth strapped shut and my lips pinched together!
He works nicely on the bit now with or without it, but will he be able to get strong and tank off? He's in a french link loose ring snaffle.

 

[MerryMAL]

A good two fingers for a cavesson and two of mine/one of mum's for the flash! However there is no point in a flash strap if he doesn't need it!

 

[f_s_]

Take it off!! If your horse is objecting, take it off and see, I bet you are surprised!!

Personally, I dislike them, think they became popular as a "fashion" statement, and can restrict breathing.

I call them "gob" straps!!!

 

[ladyt25]

two fingers - to your instructor! Lol. Sorry, that's not constructive, just couldn't help myself!

To be honest, I don't think most horse really need a flash at all. I have always worn one on my horse but, in reality he is fine without, with just a cavesson and his bit BUT, he can evade the bit and be strong occasionally (xc/SJing etc) and also cos my mum hacks him out too so I air on the side of caution.

If you don't think your horse needs it, don't wear one. If the horse resents the flash then having it on will more likely make him worse in his head carriage then just going without.

 

[noblesteed]

LOL! Merry Elf
'gob straps'
I need to wear one myself!!!!!

 

[alesea]

There's really no advantage to doing the flash noseband up tightly- they prevent the horse from sliding the jaw forward, which they need to do in order to relax their jaw and carry themselves properly.

If he doesn't work any better with it then don't bother!

 

[eggs]

I have always taken the flash strap off on all my horses nad not had a problem with brakes, etc. Why did you have one in the first place?

If your horse is happy and going well without it I would leave it off.

On a separate note, a lot of instructors will tighten the noseband up almost as a matter of course.

 

[oldvic]

If it is too tight the horse is unable to relax his jaw and accept the bit. The top strap should be secure enough that the bottom strap doesn't pull it down - it should stay horizonal. The bottom strap should be so that you can get your finger in under the chin but not so loose that it flaps and annoys the horse. It will not affect the breathing - horses that have had wind operations are supposed to wear a flash/grackle to help them breathe.

 

[amandap]

[ QUOTE ]
two fingers - to your instructor! Lol. Sorry, that's not constructive, just couldn't help myself!

To be honest, I don't think most horse really need a flash at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL agree!!!

Flashes weren't around years ago anyway!!!
Two fingers for the cavesson and NO flash is my reply. You could try the flash on your instructor though, see how she likes it especially done up really tight!

What chance when this is what 'instructors' do and advise!!!!

Mta...
[ QUOTE ]
It will not affect the breathing - horses that have had wind operations are supposed to wear a flash/grackle to help them breathe.

[/ QUOTE ]
Gosh I've never heard that before.

Info about flashes fron Sustainable Dressage... http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php#flash

 

[noblesteed]

Hhhmmm I reckon it makes sense to listen to what my horse is telling me then. He's not the sort to suffer in silence!
See the instructor tightened it up so much his bottom lip would quiver and twitch. Poor man. This is what we put our horses through in the name of dressage!!!

 

[Peacelily]

If not wearing a flash then my cavesson is done up to allow 1-2 fingers, I find 2 fingers is really slack and just wobbles around, if they really don't need it - take off the noseband.
For horses which feel more secure in the mouths with a noseband on - i'll do up accordingly - if you find your doing it so tight that the skin over the bone is getting in the way - then calm down - it shouldn't be that tight!!!
If they do go along gawping with their mouth wider open - I'll add a flash, tight enough so that excessive opening/closing of the mouth is reduced, but the noseband is fitted so that the flash doesn't sit on low over the nares, and - the traditional 1/2 fingers below the cheek bone and then the flash done up so that it's not pulling the noseband down.
When I was younger I used to find that if my horse was being "annoying" i'd tighten the flash. Now, being a little older (and i hope wiser...) i'll more likely take the whole lot off and see if I can get them to stop fighting the noseband (and hence me) and to concentrate on relaxing more...

I'm not suprised he's taken a big dislike - however - it might be useful to retrain him to take the flash/noseband in terms of his behaviour - so just by putting it on gently & carefully each time so that it doesn't cause offence and he doesn't through his head around and he learns actually that was a one off and it's all ok. Just for those occasions where having it on (and correctly fitted) might be useful.

 

[Tickles]

Share horsey has one that I can see (from where the most worn hole is and his reaction to it) has been done up too tight. I tend to take the whle lot off and go for no noseband at all. Or, if it is on the bridle and I can't be bothered, do it up only just tight enough it won't flop around.

I'd say take it off totally if you can. As far as I know they are really only supposed to stop the horse evading the bit by opening its mouth and/or getting tounge over it. If your horse is doing that then you probably have other problems than the noseband.

Ditch the instructor and get a new one who will teach you how to ride not put your horse in bondage!

 

[amandap]

[ QUOTE ]
Hhhmmm I reckon it makes sense to listen to what my horse is telling me then. He's not the sort to suffer in silence!


[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely!

It seems that horses actually open/set their mouths against tighter nosebands so just tightening it more isn't solving any problems anyway just covering them up!
Imo we have to learn to try and work out why the horse may be trying to evade the bit rather than just force him to accept it.
It's not just in dressage either... flashes are everywhere.

 

[Oberon]

Urgh - take the flash strap off and burn it.

A drop noseband is much better if that kind of restraint is necessary.

I have seen one for sale online with elasticated inserts - much kinder.

 

[noblesteed]

I rode my horse today on a hack without his flash. I found he was happy to accept the bit and work in an outline when I requested it. He is generally quite willing to accept the bit and prefers carrying himself correctly now anyway - he knows how gorgeous he looks!!! I think he did evade the bit when I got him last year and maybe thats why my instructor insisted his trap was strapped shut!
Anyway flash is going in the cupboard and we will see how we get on without it, and then hopefully he'll realise it doesn't hurt and be better to bridle.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

depends on the horse.
i actually tend to find the tighter you do them up on a strong horse, the more they resent and fight it.
both mine and mums wear them as it stops them yawing and the bit being pulled though their mouth if they panic/bolt, but they are not tight-you can get 2 or 3 fingers side by side under the flash strap, and slide a finger comfortably under the top noseband.

the only horse i do up tighter is a mare i school for someone-she has a really nervous mouth, sucks and chomps the bit, pushes it up and down with her tongue, and does a really weird thing where by she almost slides her mouth side to side along it.she upsets herself by doing it! she drops off the contact really badly in a cavsson noseband.
a snug (but not brutally tight) flash means she cant suck/slide etc and she then takes a lovely firm contact with the bit and relaxes her neck and back.totally bizarre but works for her!