Grackle or Drop Noseband

[Gentle_Warrior]

H is a big cob x.

We are improving to getting him off his forehand, it is slow as he is your normal stubborn cob. He is starting to try and use his back legs.

Trouble is I have a sponsored ride coming up end september. I dont want to change his bit as he is generally a snaffle mouth but spons rides get him all excited ! He is happy in his mouth and so want to stick with his loose ring snaffle. But when he gets excited or sets his mind on going he can open his mouth, which as you can appreciate, leaves me dreaming for control.

So thinking a change of noseband. He currently has a cavesson. I hate flash nosebands !

Torn between a grackle or a drop, I am urging towards the grackle.

Any opinions on either ?

Cheers

 

[VioletStripe]

when he opens his mouth, does he cross his jaw at all? The way I understand it, the grackle prevents the horse crossing its jaw, as well as opening the mouth xx

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I think he does, yeah am sure

 

[Dancing Queen]

hiya, i find the grackle is better than the drop with one that will open and cross the jaw, gives more control in my opinion.

 

[welshied]

I use a drop on my welsh as he started opening his mouth to avade his bit and he works very well in it

 

[Tnavas]

If you have a cheeked snaffle on him then go for the drop - it needs a bit with cheeks to make sure it stays below the bit - if not it tends to lie across the bit ring and squash them into the side of the face.

If you have an ordinary ring snaffle then the grackle is best.

TBH I would have opted for a pelham with 2 reins. You can then ride on the snaffle rein until he gets cheeky and then use the curb to slow him down. Better than having a tug of war when you are out and can't do anything else.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

Thank you

Does anyone know if the robinsons grackle is an actual extra full !! he takes an extra full bridle and hoping that the robinson one is an actual extra full size.

Cant afford a more expenseive one !

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

Have tried a pelham and a kimblewick - he hated them, was totally behind the bridle and would not go forward into it. Dont want to revert to my tom thumb as he does not warrant it and would struggle to use double reins on a spons ride. To much knitting !! I dont use them often enought to be comfortable.

He has a NS Loose ring snaffle

 

[Dancing Queen]

changing bits and sticking harsher ones in arent always the answer.

as for the robinsons grackle i have no idea - mines about 40 years old!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

Exactly why the change in noseband ! thank you x

i tried different bits a couple of years ago and he has now been in his snaffle for over a year with no change. But first spons ride for over a year !!

 

[Megibo]

grackle and drop do the same thing
i much prefer the drop, my mare is rubbish in a grackle but goes lovely in a drop and her perfect combination is french link snaffle with a drop noseband.

 

[jesterfaerie]

I bought a full size drop noseband from Robinsons and it definitely is true to size I would say their grackle would be too.

 

[Ottinmeg]

grackle and drop do the same thing
i much prefer the drop, my mare is rubbish in a grackle but goes lovely in a drop and her perfect combination is french link snaffle with a drop noseband.

previous to using a drop noseband on her she was ridden in a 3 ring gag.Put a drop noseband on her and a loose ring snaffle and she is now just as easy to control.

 

[Eriskayowner]

I have Jazzy in a grakle and I find him really easy in it. Is there anyway that you can try both nosebands before the ride and find out which one he is happier in?

I not, I would go for the grakle.