NOSEBANDS/BITS?!

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EquestrianFairy

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If you have a horse than can be strong out hacking (ie, doenst bolt but can be hard to stop, gets excited etc)

Would you look to change noseband or bit?

Its not mine, the horse is well schooled she just gets very excited and we can be cantering up a track fine but my friend finds it hard to stop her as shes quite strong. (Well built Sec D) Shes in a cavesson and a full cheek snaffle.
I think if she did take off my friend wouldnt have much in the line of stopping her.

She also constantly snatches at branches, grass and its not half frustrating for my friend (her horse will actually grab leaves while in canter!!)
confused.gif
 
I hack in a 3-ring gag and drop as well, ditto Dianchi peace of mind for me. George doesn't really need it but he is a big horse and if we meet a horse eating tree stump and he takes fright.........!
 
Personally I'd get a totally different bit for hacking, its good as it will rest the bars from her normal bit and its good to change. In theory it should also mean she never learns to lean or run through her "work / schooling" bridle.
 
A grackle will stop a horse from crossing her jaw, not from opening their mouth and eating - my boy is a perfect example of this, lol! IMHO, it's more a matter of discipline stopping them eating on rides than a case of strapping the mouth shut. T is very greedy and will sometimes try to snatch food but I will push him on, move his head the other way or sometimes give hiom a tap on the shoulder if he's taking the P with it. 90% of the time I can stop him, but he's a bit quick to grab the other 10%!
 
What about a hanging cheek snaffle?- puts a bit of poll-pressure on to bring the head down, but not too severe on the mouth. Personally I dont like flash nosebands or anything that straps the mouth shut - not something i'd like done to me, but its all a matter of personal preference and trial and error. Sometimes if you use a bit thats too severe the horse tries to run away from it, and you can end up making things worse. Agree about the eating stuff though, thats just bad manners and he needs to know thats not acceptable..
 
i have exactly the same problem with my girl, so read this with great hope!!!!!!
i have tried changing both bit and noseband.
she crosses her jaw so went from a flash to a grackle and that really helped with her shaking her head to try to avoid me asking her to stop. also changed her bit to one with rollers so she couldn't take hold of the bit when cantering---was working well until rollers on bit rubbed side of mouth so i'm back to the drawing board again!!!!!!
maybe your friend should list down what she actually does when trying to slow down eg -take ahold of the bit, shake head, lower or raise head or generally just not listen to the aids---then when she knows what shes working towards she can decide what to change. :
 
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