Grackle Problems

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CAPY888

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Hey guys,

I've had a really good look around the forum and can't see anything that relates to my problem so after long time of reading the forum I thought I would post a new topic.

I have a 17hh 7 year old TB. I have had him for 6 months and I am currently hunting him (well just finished) . I have moved him into a grackle as he loves to cross his jaw and amongst company is impossible to stop. His breaks are non existent

I got a leather grackle and when fitting it have 1 finger free round the appropriate sections. However..... When we get 40 mins into the ride through his persistence his is managing to open his mouth about 2 / 2.5 inches. Thus letting him cross his jaw. Now when I am leaving the yard it will definitely not go any tighter. Am I doing something wrong or is he just do strong that he can stretch the leather once we have galloped a couple of fields?

thanks
 
This is hard to explain, but when you put it on, if you pull the bottom straps away from each other, away from the horses face, so the cross part is as high up as possible, then you should be able to get it as tight as possible (obviously not too tight).
If the middle isn't as high, then it can slip down a bit, especially if the horse fiddles about, and this can loosen the bottom strap.
Does that make sense? I used to have to do this years ago with my pony. This was a standard grakle, not a Mexican one, but the same thing sort of applies.
 
Ahhh ok am with you. So you think the grackle is to low and this allowing him play? Try and get the grackle as high as it will go so to speak??
 
A determined horse can stretch the leather .
Might you try a controller noseband ? I have not seen one for ages but that should be less easy for him to get round .
When I hunted a very strong horse in a grackle I used to get off ( or find a car follower who was a friend ) to adjust the grackle about an hour .
As said above it helps to be sure the top part is almost horizontal when you put It on .
 
CAPY888 said:
Ahhh ok am with you. So you think the grackle is to low and this allowing him play? Try and get the grackle as high as it will go so to speak??
Click to expand...
Possibly. Without seeing it, it's hard to tell, but maybe worth a try.
As Goldenstar says, it can be stretched too.
 
You can stretch a new bridle obviously - but most problems from grackles are a fitting issue. If the nose band is fitted too low he'll find it more easy to stretch the leather - and not so coincidentally ruin your new bridle! Make sure the rings are correctly aligned on the cheek bones and the cross part is as high as the straps allow.
 
Equally which type of grackle are you using?

If your using the traditional type you might struggle, the Mexican high ring ones I think are easier to keep in place.
 
I don't know the exact name but it does it have the rings. It's is just sleep lester which attaches to the top part of bridle! Does that make sense?
 
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