Hunter Cavesson Noseband

[Green Bean]

I am considering various Cavesson nosebands at the moment to find something that is comfortable for my mare. She appears to be sensitive on the sides between her 'cheek' and mouth, which I know is a sensitive area on a horse's face. I have tried padded cranks and padded crank with cut away on the side but feel it is possibly the padding that is causing the issue. I have my eye on a patent black hunter cavesson with side cut away, non-crank with just a simple buckle underneath. This isn't the concern, but rather if this would be deemed suitable for dressage these days? I read an interesting article about the development of the cavesson noseband from plain, 'thin' to the very wide and padded ones used today in the name of comfort for the horse. I feel I have come full circle in trying to find what is comfortable for my horse. I am lucky in that she doesn't resist the bit by opening her mouth so the cavesson is merely ornamental and never tight (which I believe is a concern with padded, wide. crank nosebands these days) so am wondering if this would be frowned upon? (a bit like wearing a red velvet browband for a working hunter class)

 

[Wheels]

not frowned upon at all

I have dressaged in a very plain flat hunter noseband and plain browband - it should not make a jot of difference, go with whatever is comfortable for the horse

 

[Barton Bounty]

What about a micklem?

 

[Green Bean]

about

She doesn't need the element that closes the mouth so have been reluctant to go this way

 

[HeyMich]

She doesn't need the element that closes the mouth so have been reluctant to go this way

I use a Micklem but keep it very loose around the mouth, not tight or restrictive at all. My mare really likes the general shape of it, and the fact that it avoids pressure on all significant nerves around the cheeks. I would say to try one if you can.

 

[milliepops]

a plain noseband will be absolutely fine. Whatever fits and suits your horse.

 

[Barton Bounty]

So do i, i love my micklem, he doesn’t really need his mouth tightly closed and i keep it loose enough he could still eat a treat with it on

 

[AdorableAlice]

A plain cavesson bridle is a lovely bridle, all mine wear one. I can't bear those awful tight nosebands that seem to be so popular. The grackle types with the ring right under the eye puzzles me too.

 

[be positive]

A plain cavesson bridle is a lovely bridle, all mine wear one. I can't bear those awful tight nosebands that seem to be so popular. The grackle types with the ring right under the eye puzzles me too.

So do mine as first choice, they do dressage in a plain flat noseband and judges would not think to comment other than possibly to their writer that it is nice to see a horse without a flash.
I do have a micklem bought for a fussy horse and he preferred it to a simple cavesson as it sits a little lower and not against the cheeks without being tight so do give it consideration.