GRACKLE VS FLASH

[AnnaPK]

Hi all,
I have spent the last 2-3hrs looking extensively into these two nose bands and I cannot understand the difference and which would be the best for my boy!
I have only ever ridden him in a grackle as that is what his old owners had him in and the bridoe im borrowing atm isn’t a figure of 8 but has the grackle fitting round the jaw. The old owner insists he rides better in a grackle but his is so light in the hand and doesn't to my knowledge cross his jaw im wondering of its necesary. Is the grackle nicer and less pressure? I have always associated them with the more strong horses but i have no idea!
He does hate things on his nose Sch might be why they had him in a grackle but im just not too sure and any help would be fab.

 

[AnnaPK]

I have read the grackle is the kindest when fitted correctly so im leaning that way?

 

[JBM]

In a grackle vs flash situation I’d go with grackle as I’ve heard flashes are one of the worst pressure wise but I don’t use either so this is just based of what I’ve read
If he doesn’t need anything and you think it’s too much you could try no noseband as he doesn’t like anything on his nose?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

A well fitted grackle is supposed to be kinder than a flash. Have you tried him in a plain loose cavesson a bit higher than normal? This is what I use on my boy as he hates stuff on his nose. I would go without but we di dressage so unfortunately have to have one!

 

[Kaylum]

Has the noseband been removed altogether to see if there is a difference. Also has the bridle been fitted correctly?

 

[magicmoments]

Honestly it would be worth trying without any noseband now he is yours. Obviously start in low pressure safe environment. My mare previously was ridden in flash and running martindale. She doesn't need either. Now she just has a loosely fitted cavesson.
If you do feel you need something, I would go with a grackle.

 

[sbloom]

It might be worth having a bridle fitter out, it's amazing what you can learn about how and why a bridle should be fitted and a noseband selected. The grackle is really to reduce the ability of the horse to cross the jaw but if fitted correctly then it can help avoid sensitive areas on the head...or it may not, depending on how it was fitted! The flash? This thread may help https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...inion-vs-my-own-opinion.828072/#post-15180203

 

[magicmoments]

It might be worth having a bridle fitter out, it's amazing what you can learn about how and why a bridle should be fitted and a noseband selected. The grackle is really to reduce the ability of the horse to cross the jaw but if fitted correctly then it can help avoid sensitive areas on the head...or it may not, depending on how it was fitted! The flash? This thread may help https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...inion-vs-my-own-opinion.828072/#post-15180203

Can definitely recommend a bit fitter, as it certainly helped my mare, as she was backing off the bit she had been in with previous owner. I had Ruth Fisher and she was very knowledgeable in many areas, including bridle fit too. Consequently I bought a new brow band, as well as bit. Was well worth the money.

 

[Lady Jane]

Does he need either? The tests showed a grakle caused less pressure than a flash or drop - provided all are correctly fitted. A cavesson can cause pressure if incorrectly fitted or too tight. As others have said, a bridle & bit fitter would help you. And I'm sure a picture of your with bridle will get you more feedback . I changed my bridle as the one in my avatar was not a good fit for all sorts of reasons......

 

[cold_feet]

I have always associated them with the more strong horses but i have no idea!

My 17hh ex cross country machine always wore a grackle, he was (and still is) very strong. I do Endurance and couldn’t be bothered with all the buckles, so tried him with nothing. He has been fine ever since, not made a bit of difference. I just use the grackle the odd time I do dressage, he is no different.

 

[AnnaPK]

Does he need either? The tests showed a grakle caused less pressure than a flash or drop - provided all are correctly fitted. A cavesson can cause pressure if incorrectly fitted or too tight. As others have said, a bridle & bit fitter would help you. And I'm sure a picture of your with bridle will get you more feedback . I changed my bridle as the one in my avatar was not a good fit for all sorts of reasons......

I can put a pic of him at his sales livery yard when i first bought him but i have yet to find the right bridle!

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

Grackle is softer than a flash, I don't know an awful lot about why, but I think the grackle applies less pressure x

 

[rextherobber]

If you suspect she doesn't need either, you're probably right - the last Livery yard I was on, just about every horse/pony was ridden in a flash and a running martingale, because the bridle came with the flash, and the martingale was because everyone else had one!

 

[Kaylum]

If you suspect she doesn't need either, you're probably right - the last Livery yard I was on, just about every horse/pony was ridden in a flash and a running martingale, because the bridle came with the flash, and the martingale was because everyone else had one!

Interesting isn't it as a livery yard I know nobody has nosebands on. They follow a trend.

 

[ponynutz]

Mine much preferred the grackle and so did I (looked smarter imo too). She's in just a cavesson now because she's older but it's very loose as she actually doesn't really need a noseband, just looks smart.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I prefer this type of flash. https://selleriemae.shop/0242151-noseband-with-integrated-flash-kavalkade-black

 

[TPO]

I'm fairly sure grackles were designed to stop horses crossing their jaws.

Flashes were designed because standing martigales couldn't be used with a drop.

The grackle comes into action, when fitted correctly, if the horse trues to evade* by crossing its jaws.

*obvthe reason for evasion should be found and fixed rather than sticking a plaster on it.

 

[jhoward]

I can put a pic of him at his sales livery yard when i first bought him but i have yet to find the right bridle!

It's not fitted correctly the top strap should be under the jaw line, that alone would bring the button part higher up.

Just remove it and see how he goes?

 

[AnnaPK]

It's not fitted correctly the top strap should be under the jaw line, that alone would bring the button part higher up.

Just remove it and see how he goes?

I know it dosent fit him this was at the sales livery i bought him from - communal tack! He is not ridden in that anymore thankfully!!!!

 

[Jellymoon]

With the Mexican grackles (as in this pic) the top strap sits above the jaw line. I find them quite tricky to get in exactly the right place, involves a lot of fiddling about! I prefer them to flashes, but I actually only use them if needed, otherwise they have a plain cavesson.

I would just try a cavesson fitted loosely, a finger or two below the jaw and see what happens.

 

[spotty_pony]

Grackles spread the pressure out more evenly across the face and so are kinder. I have one in a grackle because he takes the bit and crosses his jaw, and one in a flash (very loosely) just to encourage her to keep her mouth still, not to strap it shut.

It depends a lot on the horse and what bit you are using.

 

[sbloom]

Useful article from a good organisation

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid031UYe4ivdML9q6F63syVNw6WFV1RoALGy4MFTkH4dDWhyBULs4hMX7Ty2NLRZijfnl&id=100064717991432

 

[Quigleyandme]

I really wish using a grackle or flash nose band wasn’t the excepted default position in so many cases. I do wonder how many riders have ever tried riding their horses without. Neither is an alternative to a properly fitted bridle and suitable bit.

 

[Auslander]

I revised my views on nosebands after getting a bit of a surprise. I had a finger hooked inside the flash strap when a horse moved his jaw - just a gentle chew nearly took my finger off - and I figured that if the pressure on my finger was so strong, it would be pretty uncomfortable against the horses jaw too. I've used a loose cavesson ever since!