Question re figure eight noseband and bit

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Quartz

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Sorry a quick question regarding tack. I have been having a nose at my horses previous owners photos of her competing with my horse. While jumping she was using a figure eight nose band, now when I jump him I find him very strong and fat and wondered if a figure eight nose band would help.

Also for dressage she was using a snaffle bit with reins attached but from the snaffle was a long part coming off from the bit with a second pair of reins attached (a gag bit but not sure which one, it only had one extra hole quite far down). Did she also use this for extra control? In which case I may consider a different bit.

I have put off changing the bit but after checking out her pictures what your opinions as may well go ahead and change. Just there are so many choices its so hard to know what to do!!!

Thanks
 
By the bit do you mean this bit?

http://www.knightsbridgeequestrian.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=365

A Baucher or hanging cheek snaffle - the cheek peices should be attached to the small ring, and the reins to the big ring.

It may help, but isn't any 'stronger' per se, it acts differently, by being stiller in the mouth which some horses prefer.

A noseband may help - a Mexican or Grackle as you describe can help stop the horse crossing its jaw or opening its mouth too wide as an evasion - these nosebands are not dressage legal though, but can be used for eventing or showjumping.
 
The figure eight noseband is a grackle noseband - supposed to stop them crossing their jaw to evade the bit. Not sure what the bit is though - can you find a picture of it on ebay or something??
 
Yeap a mexican/grakle should give you more control as it prevents them opening there mouth to evade to bit or crossing the jaw. I prefer them to flashs as there not as severe. The bit sounds like some sort of pelham or something!!
 
CrazyMare said:
By the bit do you mean this bit?

http://www.knightsbridgeequestrian.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=365

A Baucher or hanging cheek snaffle - the cheek peices should be attached to the small ring, and the reins to the big ring.

It may help, but isn't any 'stronger' per se, it acts differently, by being stiller in the mouth which some horses prefer.

A noseband may help - a Mexican or Grackle as you describe can help stop the horse crossing its jaw or opening its mouth too wide as an evasion - these nosebands are not dressage legal though, but can be used for eventing or showjumping.
Click to expand...

The bit is like that but the second ring attachment hangs lower down than that.
 
mcnaughty said:
The figure eight noseband is a grackle noseband - supposed to stop them crossing their jaw to evade the bit. Not sure what the bit is though - can you find a picture of it on ebay or something??
Click to expand...

Just looked at bits and its a pelham with the chain behind the jaw.
 
Can you post the photos?

Also are you referring to a double bridle as this looks like a snaffle then a bit which comes down and has another rein attached: these are commonly used in dressage so this may be what she used.

If the horse went well for her in those bits I would have continued to have used them when you got the horse, could you contact them and ask?

My mare goes in a grakle when jumping or hunting and it does wonders!! not sure why but she is much more responsive with that and a happy mouth snaffle as she has a good mouth but is strong at times.

xx
 
tigerlily12345 said:
http://www.rideaway.co.uk/happy-mouth-centre-revolver-3-ring-mouth-gag/default.aspx

is this it? if so, it is stronger :)
Click to expand...

No it looks like a pelham as also has the curb chain, would attach aphoto but only have a copy of it in a word document but can't attach it.

19776_1349973950027_1251691345_31040714_1665947_n.jpg


Hope this works,
 
Last edited:
H.K.D said:
Can you post the photos?

Also are you referring to a double bridle as this looks like a snaffle then a bit which comes down and has another rein attached: these are commonly used in dressage so this may be what she used.

If the horse went well for her in those bits I would have continued to have used them when you got the horse, could you contact them and ask?

My mare goes in a grakle when jumping or hunting and it does wonders!! not sure why but she is much more responsive with that and a happy mouth snaffle as she has a good mouth but is strong at times.

xx
Click to expand...

I did actually ask her when I brought the horse but she told me she just used a normal snaffle, however the photos tell another story. The grakle sounds good, the problem with me is I am so indecisive and there are so many choices I just end up staying the way we are and wondering what if!!!
 
Quartz said:
No it looks like a pelham as also has the curb chain, would attach aphoto but only have a copy of it in a word document but can't attach it.

19776_1349973950027_1251691345_31040714_1665947_n.jpg


Hope this works,
Click to expand...

Thats a double bridle.

A pelham isn't dressage legal, but a double bridle is.

TBH, I would stick with a snaffle, and get some lesssons to help get it together with your new horse, rather than pop a double on - it sounds like you are quite new to owning horses? A double takes quite alot of refinement to use to its best.
 
Thats a double bridle in the picture.
So made up of 2 bits, a bridoon (snaffle) and a weymouth (the pelham type one).
It certainly gives extra control but does have to be used with care.
For dressage you can only use them for Elementary + competitions.
A grackle will give you a cerrtain amount of extra control, especially if your horse is crossing his jaw.
 
CrazyMare said:
Thats a double bridle.

A pelham isn't dressage legal, but a double bridle is.

TBH, I would stick with a snaffle, and get some lesssons to help get it together with your new horse, rather than pop a double on - it sounds like you are quite new to owning horses? A double takes quite alot of refinement to use to its best.
Click to expand...

Yep, you guessed right!! He's my first horse and def no school horse. But he is very genuine just very very strong on hacks and jumping. Have yet to do a course with him where I'm not just rocketed around the ring!!!! Dressage is ok, just need to learn to control his speed at times to look more refined and not like I;ve completely lost control!!! However after all I've said I've learnt loads with him as rode a school horse the other day and couldn't believe how easy it was, made nice change.
 
Then lessons are certainly the way forwards, I'd feel - its easier to learn to do it right first time, than learn wrong and try to 'relearn' to do it right!

Good luck!
 
I ride in a snaffle and flash for flat work and a grackle and dutch gag waterford for hacking and jumping as she tends to get strong. Does work wonders!

and looking at that pic, doesnt that horsey have lots of plaits lol.
 
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