Kineton Noseband

S

sonjafoers

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 May 2009
Messages
2,107
Visit site
Hi,

it has been suggested I hunt my very strong cob in a Kineton Noseband with her existing snaffle, and the very experienced lady that suggested it said it would give me a bit more control without being too harsh.

However my YO who is an older man who has been a horseman all his life has told me tonight that they are one of the harshest things you can put on a horse as they cut it's wind off.

I have done a search on here and there are numerous people recommending them but no real mention of how harsh they are.

Can anyone give me some info and advice please.
 
I've used one in the past, if it isn't fitted properly it does have the potential to interfere with the horse's breathing but as long as you fit it right it's fine.
Just make sure it's high enough as you would with a drop noseband or hackamore, it's easy to tell if it's the right height by checking the horse nose.
 
Hi, i used to use a Kineton on my large showjumping irish horse. I was very effective. He had a very high head carriage as well as been very strong. It used to help him being so strong and also when i half halted it would help bring down the head slightly. It didnt cut of his wind when i used it on him.
I wouldnt reccomend it for somebody who is heavy handed or inexperienced.
Hope this helps.:)
 
I used one on mine, they do work but many people dislike the fact that horses often open their mouths to escape the pressure. Agree with turkana, they are not designed to cut off the wind and will not do so unless improperly fitted! As I understood it, they simply add nose pressure when you apply the brakes. Nice simple bit of kit if you ask me. Also they were at one time labelled "train stoppers" so clearly quite effective. I'd rather see more of these in use and a LOT less of those hideous 3 ring dutch gag + grackle/flash abominations. I have one if you want to try, never use it any more. Def give it a go xx
 
This is an interesting take on Kinetons

http://www.sustainabledressage.net/tack/bridle.php#kineton

My mare runs through the bit but I suspect it's partly because she hates bar/tongue pressure so I have used one on her, it's one of the more effective ways of slowing her down and I like the fact that it sits there and does nothing unless I need to take a pull. Also I've never been much of a fan of nosebands that strap the mouth shut, I like horses to be able to lick & chew if they want to. P does snort a fair bit when she's got her kineton on but she has managed hunter trials & endurance pleasure rides wearing it without keeling over through lack of oxygen ;)

If you do decide to get one, I had one made to measure by Gough's bridles of Walsall for less than it would have cost to order one off the peg from a tack shop. It's lovely quality and they adjusted the sizing for the price of a postage stamp (yours truly doesn't get on with tape measures very well :o).
 
Spinal Tap said:
This is an interesting take on Kinetons

If you do decide to get one, I had one made to measure by Gough's bridles of Walsall for less than it would have cost to order one off the peg from a tack shop. It's lovely quality and they adjusted the sizing for the price of a postage stamp (yours truly doesn't get on with tape measures very well :o).
Click to expand...

Oh How much did you pay for one made to measure?
 
painted ponies said:
Oh How much did you pay for one made to measure?
Click to expand...

Can't remember exactly :o I think it was £50-60, I did a google & all the English leather kinetons I could find were around the £70 mark. I don't like using cheap leather because I have a grey & she gets dyed if the colour runs :( I've bought tack from Kel at Goughs before and it's lovely so I'm always glad to put a bit of business his way :)

http://www.goughbridles.co.uk/
 
Thank you everyone, I have been lent one so will see what happens. I have tried harsher bits with her to no effect at all apart from upsetting her so it has to be worth a try. I only want it for hunting as I don't need it for anything else, but after 4 seasons of weekly hunting she still hasn't calmed down so I am hoping this will just grab her attention when she really takes off with me and when the contact is relaxed it won't be in use.

Spinal Tap that was a really good article so thank you for posting. The fact that it pointed out it was considered harsh in the old days without any reasoning makes me wonder if that's why my YO was telling me it's the harshest thing I could try - he is a bit old school!

I will try it out hunting over the next couple of weeks ( including Opening Meet, yikes ) and if it helps I will post again re buying one as they obviously come in different sizes so I may need some help with what to buy.

Just a final thought - if I get my own could I put sheepskin on the underside or would it completely defeat the object? Yes, I'm too soft :)
 
I suspect it would defeat the object! Mine is quite thick across the nosepiece and has never shown any sign of digging in or rubbing. The only problem I've had was that the noseband & bit somehow seemed to pinch the corners of my mare's mouth sometimes. Couldn't work out why that was happening but I put bit guards on & fastened the noseband up on the outside of them, this solved the problem.
 
I do find the kineton gives me enough control to take P xc in a snaffle, which is great, but there is no chance of pulling up when she's going hell for leather with another horse that's flat out. Tried that, result = FAIL! Mind you not sure that anything would stop her when she's like that :o
 
I always use my kineton with rubber bit guards so that there's no chance of it pinching, and a noseband sleeve (actually a piece of vet bed sewn into a short cover cos I'm a cheap skate! :p) so it doesn't rub the nose (:
A great piece of kit, amazed they aren't very well known!
 
Kineton shouldn't interfere with breathing if correctly fitted. I love them, worked a treat on my lad for 1/2 a season hunting (a pony with a mouth of iron who works out each bit after a single ride in it and constantly changing! at my expense of course :/ grrr)

But I did have an original pattern one with metal inset into the nosepiece, which worked a wonderful but was slightly too big so had one made to measure, I think I payed £35? but did find the newer one wasn't as effective so resumed using the old one. Although I am another who uses bit guards to prevent any pinching.
I love how you can adjust it to use as much nose pressure as you like before the bit comes into play, or the opposite way around so can be adjusted to suit many a horse.
 
simplyhunting said:
I love how you can adjust it to use as much nose pressure as you like before the bit comes into play, or the opposite way around so can be adjusted to suit many a horse.
Click to expand...

Oh dear simplyhunting it's sounding a bit technical now - no doubt when I get it on I will work it out!

Thanks for the info re bitguards everyone, I will definately use it with them as I don't want to rub her mouth in any way.

Happy Hunter I really thought she would have calmed down by now, in fact she is much better than she was but still forgets I'm there when she wants to get going. Someone said to me a while ago that she obviously thinks she's so important she should be a Whips horse - and that sums it up, I truly believe she thinks she is there to show everyone what to do! Lets hope this gives me a chance to take control now & then :)
 
sonjafoers said:
Oh dear simplyhunting it's sounding a bit technical now - no doubt when I get it on I will work it out!
Click to expand...

It's pretty simple, just adjust the part that sits over the nose on either side. Have it loose if you want more bit play, or tighten it so it almost lifts the bit off the tongue if you want more nose pressure before the bit comes into play. You will get slightly different reactions which each setting so worth having a play around and see what works best.

Good Luck :)
 
Why stick with the snaffle? All our cobs have always gone brilliantly in kimblewicks or pelhams. We have had maybe 15 cobs over the years for hunting and all pretty much end up in the above as will sit on the hands or are strong through the neck. I only use a kineton as a last resort when the horse is incredibly fussy in the mouth or it needs to be attached to some serious brakes. The Kineton needs riding with good hands and tact or else you still get into a pulling battle.
 
Happy Hunter said:
After 4 seasons of weekly hunting,... - I might suggest you buy a good breastplate and just hang on!
Do let us know how you get on with it!
Click to expand...
Ooh yes very good point well made - never, ever underestimate the braking power of a good haul on your breastplate! Try it in the school, you'll be surprised!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top