Grackles?

[soph21]

Can someone explain to me the proper purpose for one please?
Is there any bits you can't use with them? Will one help with brakes problem?

Thanks

xxx

 

[madhector]

They are designed to stop the horse crossings its jaw and evading the bit. So if your horses does this as an evasion and then gets difficult to stop then a grakle will help your brakes

 

[Silverspring]

As madhector said it's to stop the horse crossing it's jaw. I would speak to an instructor or experinced horsey person before using one, you need to make sure that 1. The horse needes it (though I have heard it's quite thee fashion accesory in some circles) and 2. it's fitted properly, an incorrectlyy fitted noseband of any kind can interfere with the horse's ability to breath through it's nose.

 

[soph21]

Thanks for that,
I'll see my friend/instructor this week, I think her daughter rides one of her SJers in one. Dont worry I dont want one as a fashion accessory! I just want to try and find something that works for both of us, I found his loose ring straight bar happy mouth today so I'll try him in that this week if the weather ever brightens up!

Thanks again

xxx

 

[Parkranger]

they're good for the purpose but you definately lose some stearing when you use one! I use the grackle for Oscar jumping but I'm not convinced that the flash isn't adequate....

 

[redmerl]

I am very anti fasion tack, but do use a gracke for sj and xc with the TB. I find myself making my excusses for using one and assuring everyone it is not for fasion.

My ned has a lovely mouth and has a happy mouth lozenge snaffle with the grackle. It works for us.

 

[soph21]

Thanks Redmerl, I just want to find something that will work for us. I like riding him in mild bits and then just using stronger bits for showing/XC/hunting.
I'll see if I can borrow one off someone before I have to buy one.

xx

 

[KatB]

I much prefer a grackle over a flash tbh. They distribue pressue over a less sensitive area of the mouth, and can make quite alot of difference!! I used one for a while on mine as he has a lovely mouth, but can just get a bit leany and leery when he wants to, so the grackle just stops him from leering at me!!