Quick question - can/should you go XC in a drop noseband??

[kit279]

Am thinking about getting a drop noseband bridle but am I right in thinking it's better not to go XC in one? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the horse can't breathe as well.

Don't particularly want to have to faff with changing nosebands etc as horse goes in same bit for all 3 phases. He does tend to open his mouth a little in the dressage though, hence why I thought I'd try a drop.

 

[meardsall_millie]

A drop, correctly fitted, will not interfere with the horses breathing, so I can't see any reason why you shouldn't use one for XC.

 

[Bubblegum]

Totally agree with m-m. It seems they have simply gone out of fashion.
Speaking as an 'old girl' I consider them to be a very useful piece of kit.
Think you should try it.

 

[kerilli]

it's absolutely fine for xc, a few of the horses in my siggy have them on. as long as they are correctly fitted (4 fingers' width above top of nostril, acc to my trainer) they do not interfere with breathing at all. also, they don't need to be tight to be effective - actually, they are much better if they aren't done up tight.
fwiw though you should always use a noseband for xc, even if it's just a looseish cavesson, big spangly virtual prize for anyone who knows why... actually, i might start a new post about it. it was news to me when i heard it...!

 

[SpottedCat]

Isn't it to stop the horse breaking its jaw in the event of some highly unlikely and horrifically unlucky rarely seen type of fall?

 

[kerilli]

yep, 10/10 to you. apparently if you were in the old hunting seat removing-horse's-teeth-with-weight-on-reins position, and the horse nose-dived into the ground with his mouth wide open, he could snap his jaw.
very esoteric.

big spangly virtual prize to you, then. bah, will have to think of another question now...

 

[*hic*]

[ QUOTE ]
Isn't it to stop the horse breaking its jaw in the event of some highly unlikely and horrifically unlucky rarely seen type of fall?

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I'd heard . . . .

 

[SpottedCat]

I am a mine of useless information I tell you!

 

[kerilli]

looks like that makes a few of us!