Grackle or Crank?

PurplePickle

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The crank noseband is a new thing to me, I tend to prefer the horse in as little contraptions as possible. However I have a warmblood who has been a pain, quite by accident I purchased a new bridle but when it came it had a crank noseband.

I really dont like the way it fastens, and seems to put all pressure in one spot even on its loosest (to do any good) hole.

So I did think about getting a grackle instead although at risk of looking like a fashion victim as hes in a dutch gag for hacking :|

Any advice appreciated?
 
My horse is in a grackle , because she opens and crosses her jaw. It has been great as now she cant cross her jaw and take hold of the bit. Means i have control over her now not other way round.. I did have her in a flash and a waterford gag to stop her grabbing at the bit and to stop her leaning and running off. I now have her in the grackle with a Bauchers / Hanging Cheeks , but still she leans on me. I would not put gag on her some do just depends what works. I might try the Bauchers / Hanging Cheeks in a waterford to stop he leaning on me and see how it goes.
 
Yes basically, he also pulls his head down and chews on the bit. I normally try to sort an issue without anything and stick to a cavesson but it was a fluke trying this crank and he just stopped all of the above however I dont like it and wondered if the grackle might give the same affect

It could be just that the noseband is rubbish? it does seem quite rigid even though its english leather.

ETA: yeah we tried all sorts of bits before the gag but its nice and thin for his fleshy tongue and a french link it just gives that extra, I think they are good bits when needed and used correctly.
 
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If it seems to work, use it :)

Cranks and grackles aren't alike really...crank's to stop the jaw opening and gnawing, grackle to stop the jaw crossing and setting.

Try a grackle and see if it works, if it does,keep it. If not, use the crank which you said seemed to work :)
 
I thought a crank noseband was just a normal cavesson that is done up a different way?? Whereas grakle is for horses that cross their jaw and evade?
 
I thought a crank noseband was just a normal cavesson that is done up a different way?? Whereas grakle is for horses that cross their jaw and evade?

Cranks were designed originally to stop them opening their jaw when done up tight...hence why a lot used them in upper level dressage [though not sure whether still allowed or not now?] as obviously flash nosebands aren't allowed.

Grackles are designed to stop them crossing their jaws.

:)
 
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