Flash

J

jenmac_85

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Hi,

New to this board so will give a quick background.

Bought my first horse a 16.2hh IDx 9 year old gelding in March. I returned to riding in January after stopping lessons at the age of 12 and having a break of 10 years (long break!!!)

He is a former hunter and has some training in Dressage, although I am aiming for some showjumping/XC Country and Drag Hunting possibly.

We had some issues with the bit running through his mouth. He wears a simple snaffle bit and I have never had any issues with this apart from his slight evasion !!!

I was participating in Mounted Games last night and had to go from standing start to Canter. Unfortunately once Tyler started he wasn't really for stopping and completing the bends proved slightly difficult. HOwever, one of the girls suggested a flash and so put it on him (his bridle has the flash attachment, I just took the flash off). It seemed to make a difference as when I asked for a half hault I got it, with light mouth pressure and the leg aid.

Should I be using the flash at all times or just when out hacking/ Jumping/ XC. He is fine when in the outdoor and druign riding lessons so don't think I really need it all the time.

Thanks

Jenny
 
Hi and welcome to the forum, you will be addicted before you know it! I have only just got my first horse at the grand age of 37 and I believe he has some ID in him too. I don't really know the answer to your question, except I took George's flash off when i got him, but he wears it now as he does tend to open his mouth, especially when we are schooling and he has to work! I am no expert though and I don't like to do it up too tight - I'm too much of a softy!
 
hi,
if you're still having problems with the bit running through his mouth, swap to a full-cheek snaffle, because the cheeks (solid pieces about 6" long) will help with the steering, and there's no way you can pull one of those through his mouth. pulling the bit through is very uncomfy for the horse, obviously. they're not expensive, start at about £13 i think.
then i'd concentrate in your lessons on being able to steer his body, not just his head... in my experience, the bit only gets pulled through when you're getting a bit desperate cos you're still not going where you want to... hope this makes sense.
as far as the flash is concerned, if he's opening his mouth to evade the bit, then use it, but not too tight. you should still be able to get at least one finger in the loop under his chin. but it's better to try to work out why he's evading, and fix that. has he had his teeth done, for instance? just a thought.
good luck!
fwiw, i've never seen a 16.2 doing mounted games!
 
There was only myself on Tyler and another girl on at 17hh doing the mounted games. Fortunately it was all for charity and Tyler absolutely loved it, but his height caused problems, when the poles were set up for a 15hh horse !!

Put the flash on tonight do do a couple of jumps. He was still able to eat grass ( dont't think anything will stop him eating!) but the bit couldn't run through. I have spoken to my instructor about it and she says the same as you kerilli, in that she reckons I am pulling slightly too much in a panick and not using my leg aids as much as I should have so focussing on them for the next few weeks to tidy them up.

Fortunately have a full cheek bit which I used for a couple of days before someone reminded me to get loops to hold it in place
blush.gif


I am too soft on him as well. Can't stand the thought of my poor boy getting upset, which would explain some of his childish behaviour (though fortunately no biting, kicking rearing or bucking . . . yet!!)

Jenny
 
I would never use a flash to stop a horse evading his bit - it is trying to cover a problem rather than solving it. I agree about the full cheek bit (and I never use loops) and if I need a noseband to work on the jaw I always opt for a grackle.
 
You would be surprised how many people don't use the loops with full cheek bits, in fact I believe many riders don't actually know loops should be used rather than are making a conscious decision not to use them. I do, because I believe they support the bit in the correct position.
 
I think you might be limited in bit choice for mounted games - I am not even sure that you'd be allowed a full cheek. They are certainly banned in Polo and Polocrosse and I would have thought they are banned in mounted games due to possiblity of getting caught up.

Anyway shold that be the case, a D ring snaffle is probably the next best thing

I am currently using a flash on my horse, which is deeply against my principles, but I am still working my way through our bits to find one he likes. In the mean time, without it, he opens his mouth and can run out at jumps.
 
I have to admit I don't like alot of gadgets. Mainly because I am generally not sure if they work, on occasions how they work and if they solve the actual problem.

Had Tylers teeth check and he has had a general check all over and there was no problems found. Fingers crossed I can stick with the snaffle bit and no flash. I just like to know it is there for emergencies. He just gets a bit excited and opens the mouth then runs. Cheeky boy!!

Going to pass on Mounted Games. That will be my first and only time doing it lol. It was for charity so didnt mind the humilation, but could probably only pull it off once

Jenny
x
 
I always thought that you only had to use loops with a fulmer bit (ie a full cheek with loose rings) and not a full cheek bit (ie the fixed cheek one). In fact, aren't the loops called fulmer loops? A fulmer and a full cheek are different in action.

Regarding nosebands, yes they can be helpfull though I use a grackle rather than a flash as it's more comfortable for the horse.
 
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