Research on noseband pressure

Thanks for posting - that is a very interesting article. It just goes to show that William Micklem really understood what he was doing in creating his comfort bridle and why so many horses are reported to go so well in them. I think we underestimate the sensitivity of the facial nerves.
 
Absolutely agree with this, but the research doesn't go far enough. They need to measure the pressure over the poll by the noseband. Several years ago, I was adjusting my stallion's noseband (plain cavesson) and happened to put my fingers under the head strap part. It was really pinching, and since then, I ride all mine in a comfort headpiece.
Re tight flashes/mexicans/grakles. How is the horse supposed to flex its jaw and give to the bit if it's mouth is clamped shut. i've seen many a photo of a dressage horse where the flash is actually cutting into the nostrils. Not good horse welfare IMO.
 
Very interesting but not surprising really when you think about it.

maybe in cross country/jumping where the contact may out of necessity be stronger I can appreciate the need to keep the mouth closed or using a drop noseband on a young horse to stop it getting into the habit or because it doesn't sit across the back teeth - but i don't really get why flashes and cranks are allowed in dressage. it seems silly you can't use any kind snaffle with a low port or a golden wings type or plain old bit guards all of which simply aid a horse's comfort but you are allowed physically strap horse's mouth closed which effectively hides an evasion.

I don't even like heavily padded cavesson nosebands anymore because I found that even when I did it up loosely it sit sat far to close to the cheeks where the molar teeth are for my liking - I now use a plain flat noseband where you can leave a visible gap between the head and the leather.
 
In the summer I don't use a noseband but in the winter is use a hi viz bridle with a half noseband (like a browband but at cavesson level) with reflective tape stitched on it - it serves no function other than to increase the amount of reflective material on the horses face. The bridle is my own design and make. My mare is not keen on nosebands. If I hunt or do exciting stuff I use a kineton simply to give me an emergency braking option.
 
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