flash to grackle.... should i...?

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devilsauce

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my instructor once sadi i should use a grackle on my tb he plays with his mouth even in a flash i bought a grackle but im one of them that doesnt like playing with tack lol! any advice welcome
 
What do you mean by 'plays with his mouth'? The grackle prevents horses crossing their jaw, it also allows them to breathe a bit easier than a flash as it doesn't sit on the nostrils. I changed from a flash to a grackle as T crosses his jaw. I had a bit of a reaction from him to begin with and he will occassionally fight it, but that's because it works and he can't get away with naughty tricks!
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There's little use having an instructor if you aren't prepared to take the advice they give you. If you are still having problems with your horse then try the grackle. If it doesn't work you can always go back to the flash.
 
he just opens and closes and with flash strains against it hes in a dutch gag on snaffle ring he isnt strong ignore the noseband on this pic we soon put it up this was how his tack came with him

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If he were mine I'd take the bit and the flash off and try something else. I'm not keen on those bits especially with no curb and he doesn't look too thrilled either in that pic. Although as you say the noseband there needs adjusting too. If he's opening and shutting his mouth all the time he's probably objecting to something.
 
Your noseband is WAY too low - I'm not surprised your horse is objecting!

If your instructor has suggested a grackle, I would give it a try. You can always go back if it doens't work out. I'm not a fan of those bits either, does your horse really need it?!
 
I agree no wonder he is objecting, he probably can't breathe. I'm surprised your instructor hasn't mentioned that.
 
Devilsauce does say under the post with the pic that his noseband was like that when he arrived but has now been changed.
 
She says she changed the nose band soon after the pic...

I would just give the grackle a go, a bit of trial and error really. You can always change it back if it is worse. Good luck with him
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I'd forget the grackle till you've tried him in a plain noseband and some other bits. Find one he's happy with and in theory he shouldn't want to open his mouth and get away from it any more. Then there will be no need to strap his mouth shut with flashes or grackles. It just covers up the problem rather than solving it if you have a flash/ grackle- it doesn't stop him being uncomfy, just makes it harder for him to show that it's uncomfy.
However your instructor knows the horse so she is better placed to say. I'd ask her to explain why it is she thinks a grackle will help though- she should be happy to explain.
 
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Dont like those bits at all. Try something else before slamming his mouth shut.

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Ditto to this, the bit is exerting a lot of poll pressure just to keep the horse standing still. If he's a strong horse it may be worth trying another bit as he seems very unhappy in this one.

Also have you had his teeth checked? You can't use a grackle on a horse that has remotely sharp teeth, they will flip as you will be pushing the flesh on the side of the face against the teeth every time the grackle come into effect.
 
Agree with many of the other comments - instead of going stronger, go softer. I changed my young TB from a french link snaffle and flash to a happy mouth loose ring and a cavesson - it's made the world of difference!
 
i am thinking that way but hes been rode in this gag for ten years so as u can imagine im a bit wary of changing it hes really silly out hacking he hasnt any patience and will canter on the spot if hes asked to stand i agree with everything tho i would never use this bit on any of my others but i do find this one a bit unpredictable ridden can fault him on his temp on the ground at all just typical tb he gets silly i might take the flash off and see what happens what bit would u suggest..
 
If he's silly hacking then keep the gag for hacking while experimenting with other bits in the school. It will take time for him to adjust to any new bit so give him a week or so in the school before ruling any of them out.

Persoanlly I would down grade from a gag to either a kimblewick or maybe a pelham (with leather curb not a chain) as they will both give you similar control but not such direct poll pressure as a gag. He might settle in the straight bar better and it might discourage any mouthing (get a ported straight bar for his tongue).

Either way make sure the bit either has a port or double link (lozenge, french link, myler etc) as he might be mouthing on the nut cracker effect of the snaffle. I would also try loosing the flash so he has the opportunity to object to any new bits and tell you how he's feeling.

If you fancy some research into bits and nose bands this makes for good reading http://www.sustainabledressage.com/tack/bridle.php
 
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