No noseband

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jo_pearl

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Evening all,

Having ridden my girl today I decided to try her without a nose band (she had a weird thing of flopping her bottom lip) so tried it to see and it was the best she went!! I never do my noseband up tight but she was so so much calmer doing poles and little fences and maintained a lovely trot in an outline!

Obv I can't compete without a noseband so does anyone have any suggestions to what I could try.

She's only in a cavesson but seems to hate it!!!

Thanks in advance!
 
You shouldn't need a noseband.
Many horses are fine without and it is a fashion to use one.
Could it be the noseband headpiece causing pressure that your mare dislikes? Try fitting it on the outside of the headpiece and see if she reacts differently.
 
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I am 99% sure you need one for dressage and definitely for showing, I am also pretty sure BE specify a noseband to be worn. Most RC will run under the relevant regulatory authority rules, those that don't and have their own rules will likely refer back to the named authority if a query arises. (I am a riding club secretary)

Have you tried it loose and fitted higher than is normal if she really hates it? The rules only specify one needs to be worn, not how it is fitted, although even for RC showing I would as a judge pull you up for a high fitted noseband or one that is exceptionally loose.

ETA: BE specify a noseband must be worn for dressage, can't find anything related to not wearing one for other disciplines although only scan read the tack rules. BD definitely need one (Rule 127)
 
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No idea if you have to use one for competition, but if you do, make sure it is not to loose, that can wind a horse up as much as too tight
 
I have tried to tight and loose and she hated both. I haven't tried it over the headpiece shall try that tomorrow. Someone suggested a drop noseband...:.would this work as I don't think she likes it round her jaw. The difference with it off is amazing
 
jo_pearl said:
I have tried to tight and loose and she hated both. I haven't tried it over the headpiece shall try that tomorrow. Someone suggested a drop noseband...:.would this work as I don't think she likes it round her jaw. The difference with it off is amazing
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It might be worth a try? Have you thought of a Micklem as well? I know they are pricey but our 5yr old is ridden in one and it has helped alot, some tack shops also offer trials.

FWIW, I think it's a shame nosebands have to be used for the above mentioned disciplines, the same goes for having to be bitted, when some appalling practices are allowed - Crank Nosebands being one... But we could have a whole new thread on this. Be interesting to know how you get on :)
 
I was also going to suggest trying a Micklem. The other thing you can try is a gel pad on the noseband and/or blackstrap.

check the fitting of your noseband to ensure that it doesn't catch on the bottom of her cheekbones or pinch on the bit.
 
I stopped using a noseband on my TB mare and she seemed happier. (I say seemed instead of seems because she's currently on long-term tendon recovery.) It was a plain cavesson and during a time when I was always rushing to get tacked up and out on exercise and it was one less thing to do up!

Out of interest, why are they needed for dressage?
 
Spilletta said:
I stopped using a noseband on my TB mare and she seemed happier. (I say seemed instead of seems because she's currently on long-term tendon recovery.) It was a plain cavesson and during a time when I was always rushing to get tacked up and out on exercise and it was one less thing to do up!

Out of interest, why are they needed for dressage?
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I think it's a traditional thing dating back to the cavalry.
 
The wife said:
It might be worth a try? Have you thought of a Micklem as well? I know they are pricey but our 5yr old is ridden in one and it has helped alot, some tack shops also offer trials.

FWIW, I think it's a shame nosebands have to be used for the above mentioned disciplines, the same goes for having to be bitted, when some appalling practices are allowed - Crank Nosebands being one... But we could have a whole new thread on this. Be interesting to know how you get on :)
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What's the issue with cranks ? it's too tight nosebands that are the issue there no need to do a crank up tight .
It's just a cavesson after all .
 
The wife said:
It might be worth a try? Have you thought of a Micklem as well? I know they are pricey but our 5yr old is ridden in one and it has helped alot, some tack shops also offer trials.

FWIW, I think it's a shame nosebands have to be used for the above mentioned disciplines, the same goes for having to be bitted, when some appalling practices are allowed - Crank Nosebands being one... But we could have a whole new thread on this. Be interesting to know how you get on :)
Click to expand...

I would also recommend a Micklem, OP your horse sounds like my 17hh four year old who does not like a standard noseband but has settled well in a Micklem. Look into second hand Facebook/ebay so you don't pay the full back for it not to suit.

FWIW I think a crank is far better than a standard noseband used correctly (i.e. treated the same as tightening a cavesson) due to the shaping to the jaw. My pony is in one done up loosely and she has never gone better, she was previously in a hunter cavesson or regular cavesson +flash or drop, all of which she hated and fought against.
 
I would try a drop or micklem... would be reluctant of putting the nose band above the headpiece though, it will restrict the use of the bit.
 
What affect will a drop noseband have on her? Also does it go under or over the bit guards? She has the acavallo bit guards as the corner of her mouth rubs otherwise
 
Queenbee said:
I would try a drop or micklem... would be reluctant of putting the nose band above the headpiece though, it will restrict the use of the bit.
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You can put the noseband headpiece over the top but bring the noseband inside the cheek pieces. It is only to check if it is a pressure issue when a thinner strap contacts the poll. If an improvement is seen a different bridle is needed. It is not a long term fix.
 
I had one that hated a cavesson, he had teeth issues but even once they were solved he didn't like a noseband in that position. He was fine in a drop, not done up tight.
 
I don't use a noseband - doesn't seem necessary to me and my mare prefers being without one. If I need something to secure a nose net to I use an old browband on the bit end of the cheek pieces.
 
I've bought an acavallo gel pad to try on her. I know it can be used under the buckle and also under the noseband so think I'm going to try under the buckle 1st
 
A noseband is compulsory in BE for XC .The function of a caverson noseband is to stop over extension and fracture of the jaw if the horse hits the ground nose first .They are not just a fashion item.
 
s4sugar said:
You can put the noseband headpiece over the top but bring the noseband inside the cheek pieces. It is only to check if it is a pressure issue when a thinner strap contacts the poll. If an improvement is seen a different bridle is needed. It is not a long term fix.
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ahh yes, I see what you mean... I understood it as doing the noseband up over the bit,
 
The wife said:
It might be worth a try? Have you thought of a Micklem as well? I know they are pricey but our 5yr old is ridden in one and it has helped alot, some tack shops also offer trials.

FWIW, I think it's a shame nosebands have to be used for the above mentioned disciplines, the same goes for having to be bitted, when some appalling practices are allowed - Crank Nosebands being one... But we could have a whole new thread on this. Be interesting to know how you get on :)
Click to expand...

I agree with your final paragraph. I grew up in an age where you rode with minimum tack really and regularly didn't bother with a noseband. Only people who went hunting used martingales. Riding was more about having fun than what you looked like. Ironic really given that horses can be picked up for peanuts these days and people just have to have every gadget and gizmo going despite it costing them a bomb and of being very little help to them.
 
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