Grackle or Flash

[Jenna1406]

Would you use either of the above for a horse that is extremely strong and opens her mouth?

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Id go with a grackle everytime.

Doesnt puch the cheeks into the teeth and doesnt put too much pressure too low down on the nose.

I much prefer them to flashes and aesthetically they look better than a flash as well

 

[Jenna1406]

Id go with a grackle everytime.

Doesnt puch the cheeks into the teeth and doesnt put too much pressure too low down on the nose.

I much prefer them to flashes and aesthetically they look better than a flash as well

I dont know much about grackles but what kind of grackle do you use??

 

[Wagtail]

I am a firm believer that a horse that does this is unhappy with the bit. With one exception, if it is due to excitement over jumping, cross country, hunting or similar. In those cases I have used a drop noseband rather than flash or grackle (neither of which I like). However, if the horse is doing it schooling on the flat, then it usually means there is a problem with bitting. In that case I would try different bits to see if the horse was better, and if not, I would use a hackamore, as some horses just don't like bits, full stop. I just wish that British Dressge would accept bitless bridles as horses can go just as well in them as they can in a bit.

 

[Jenna1406]

I am a firm believer that a horse that does this is unhappy with the bit. With one exception, if it is due to excitement over jumping, cross country, hunting or similar. In those cases I have used a drop noseband rather than flash or grackle (neither of which I like). However, if the horse is doing it schooling on the flat, then it usually means there is a problem with bitting. In that case I would try different bits to see if the horse was better, and if not, I would use a hackamore, as some horses just don't like bits, full stop. I just wish that British Dressge would accept bitless bridles as horses can go just as well in them as they can in a bit.

This happens mostly when she is in the field or if she is jumping. She is fussy with her head anyway.

It was a drop that was used on her before but didnt make much difference to the control when she was XC but she was only in a snaffle.

 

[glamourpuss]

If the horse is just opening their mouth then what about a drop noseband. You can use a drop for dressage as well.
Flash nosebands were basically invented because you can't use a standing martingale with a drop noseband. So unless you use a standing martingale you should really try a drop.
If your horse is opening its mouth & crossing its jaw then a grackle noseband is worth trying.
The grackle is a very different noseband to a flash & shouldn't really be used just because it looks better

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I dont know much about grackles but what kind of grackle do you use??

I use a mexican or high ring grackle.

I dont need one on the pony or the old man as they are more laid back types but my TBx got strong jumping or in company so this stopped her opening her mout and/or crossing the jaw to get away from the bit. She schooled fine with no noseband in the field or school until the jumps came out then it was all too exciting lol

 

[LouandBee]

Interesting thread. I just tried my mare in a grackle as she crosses her jaw a lot and gets a bit strong when jumping. However in the grackle she is sooo sensitive in that she will stop dead if I take a pull so was going to try a flash.

Have tried so many different bits and always gone back to my loose ring lozenge snaffle.

 

[Jenna1406]

If the horse is just opening their mouth then what about a drop noseband. You can use a drop for dressage as well.
Flash nosebands were basically invented because you can't use a standing martingale with a drop noseband. So unless you use a standing martingale you should really try a drop.
If your horse is opening its mouth & crossing its jaw then a grackle noseband is worth trying.
The grackle is a very different noseband to a flash & shouldn't really be used just because it looks better

I didnt know that you could use a drop for dressage, that is interesting.

No, she uses a running martingale when jumping etc

She is opening her mouth and pulling the reins out of the riders hands.

 

[Jenna1406]

I use a mexican or high ring grackle.

I dont need one on the pony or the old man as they are more laid back types but my TBx got strong jumping or in company so this stopped her opening her mout and/or crossing the jaw to get away from the bit. She schooled fine with no noseband in the field or school until the jumps came out then it was all too exciting lol

Yes, my mare is alright schooling, can get a bit strong in the canter but nothing to scarey but when the jumps are out or in the field, she becomes hard to stop.

Interesting thread. I just tried my mare in a grackle as she crosses her jaw a lot and gets a bit strong when jumping. However in the grackle she is sooo sensitive in that she will stop dead if I take a pull so was going to try a flash.

Have tried so many different bits and always gone back to my loose ring lozenge snaffle.

Its a complicated business this.

Hope you get it sorted

 

[LouandBee]

Meant to add that I went for a grackle as thought they were better for thier breathing than a drop for cross country etc? All trial and error though I suppose.

 

[glamourpuss]

Louandbee have you looked at an elasticated grackle?
My lad crosses his jaw & can get a bit rude about fast work & jumping, but if he feels strapped down he has a tendency to rear.
I've found the elasticated grackle is perfect for him. There is enough give that he is not punished for softening his jaw (the problem with a lot of too tight grackles that I see), the flexability also means he has enough movement in his mouth to keep him happy & relaxed but not so much he can be obnoxious!
You don't see elasticated grackles very often but they are very much under rated pieces of kit IMO

 

[Jenna1406]

Louandbee have you looked at an elasticated grackle?
My lad crosses his jaw & can get a bit rude about fast work & jumping, but if he feels strapped down he has a tendency to rear.
I've found the elasticated grackle is perfect for him. There is enough give that he is not punished for softening his jaw (the problem with a lot of too tight grackles that I see), the flexability also means he has enough movement in his mouth to keep him happy & relaxed but not so much he can be obnoxious!
You don't see elasticated grackles very often but they are very much under rated pieces of kit IMO

I have never heard of these but I think this might be good for my mare, as she can get a bit annoyed if she feels trapped.

 

[glamourpuss]

There are a couple of places that do them.
Equipe do a fully elasticated one http://www.equishopping.co.uk/item-cheval-shop4271.htm
There is this one as well http://www.worldwidetack.com/elasticated-grackle-with-nose-p-141.html
But the one I have is from shires. It was a bargainous £10 - now I know he goes well in it I keep saying I should buy a nice 'expensive' one....but it's doing it's job so I don't think I need to spend more money just yet http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=261097021471&kw=261097021471

 

[Bay TB]

I use a grackle on my boy as he was a v. stubborn nappy monster when i first got him and would open his mouth and cross his jaw when napping. The grackle gave me help to keep him in the direction i wanted!! Now he is pretty much over his nappyness he will be going back to a cavesson.