Noseband Rule

[Spiritedly]

With the new gadget to test noseband tightness it had me checking how tight I always do nosebands on my lot.

I'm quite happy that all of them would pass the gadget test with the possible exception of the one who wears a grackle, if the gadget went in away from the centre then the top and bottom would both pass easily but in the centre where they cross it wouldn't slide through but if I loosen any straps then my boy isn't happy as the curb strap slides about and aggravates his whiskers.

So does anyone know where on a grackle they would test? I haven't competed for a few years but was thinking of getting out again this year but don't want to get pulled up for the noseband being too tight!

 

[ihatework]

With the new gadget to test noseband tightness it had me checking how tight I always do nosebands on my lot.

I'm quite happy that all of them would pass the gadget test with the possible exception of the one who wears a grackle, if the gadget went in away from the centre then the top and bottom would both pass easily but in the centre where they cross it wouldn't slide through but if I loosen any straps then my boy isn't happy as the curb strap slides about and aggravates his whiskers.

So does anyone know where on a grackle they would test? I haven't competed for a few years but was thinking of getting out again this year but don't want to get pulled up for the noseband being too tight!

I’m not actually sure but it’s an interesting question. Mine goes in a grackle and it’s on the looser side. Any looser and the whole noseband moves which kind of defeats the object. I’m not sure if I could get the gauge under the padded front bit, I suspect not, but could get it everywhere else.

 

[Spiritedly]

I’m not actually sure but it’s an interesting question. Mine goes in a grackle and it’s on the looser side. Any looser and the whole noseband moves which kind of defeats the object. I’m not sure if I could get the gauge under the padded front bit, I suspect not, but could get it everywhere else.

Mines the same. I can easily slide my fingers through either side of the centre but not actually under the centre and like you say, any looser and the bridle won't be acting as it's designed to.

 

[LEC]

This was a discussion the other day and Will Faudree said it’s stupid as hasn’t been designed for a grackle and though his have some give on the side they don’t on the nose so much. They will have to wait and see what FEI does on it as effectively they haven’t thought about it…. Also not sure if this is dressage only or all the sport…

 

[rara007]

It’s measured where the noseband is on the bridge of the nose. It’s pretty hard to get a grackle/flash loose enough to be honest! It’s all sports, all phases. Yellow cards if found like it competing, asked to change if in the warmup. May is going to be very interesting…

 

[millitiger]

Same here, my horse goes in a grackle and I cannot see how the gauge will fit on the boney part on the nose. And I have my noseband loose!

I have no issue complying with the rules and support changes for horse welfare, however it looks like grackles were forgotten when the gauge was designed.