What does it look like? pics

[soph21]

So I went and brought a grackle yesterday to try on Bear to see if it makes any difference to my brakes!

It was only £7 at the local horse shop. He had his back checked last night and its fine, his saddle is slightly tight on the front but I will be getting a new one in couple of weeks when I can afford it.. (daughter's bday today and farrier on Monday

)

How does it look? Its a full size and its 2nd to last hole on the nose band, OK on the throat and needs extra holes on the mouth (he has a small mouth lol!)
Oh I wont use it with the pelham, I'll attempt it with his egg butt french link,

Do I need to adjust it at all?

Thanks xx

 

[TicTac]

I don't think it suits him sorry!

 

[soph21]

I wasn't asking if it suits him, I don't care if it looks nice! I just want to be able to control him! I dont use things for fashion accessories!

 

[Abbeygale]

What hole is it on on the bit over his head (technical term there!!!)? I would be tempted to try and cob size one on maybe? I don't think it looks horendous fit - but if poss try the cob size?

 

[JessPickle]

Its not an awful fit, but a cob may be a slightly better fit. Pickle has a JHL full size one and he is bigger than Bear

 

[madhector]

Because it is a mexican grackle you want the rings to sit a little higher if possible, make sure they are even both sides

 

[Abbeygale]

Also FWIW I think he looks a very smart boy in it - although he always does look a very smart boy!

 

[1588]

I think it looks fine but the pic in your sig with the db/pelham and cavesson noseband looks better.

I put a grackle on Boris as he has big ears and a big white face so it sort of pretties him up a bit. However, your pony has a sweet head so would maybe suit a flash instead.

Just my thoughts though

 

[soph21]

A cob wouldn't fit around the nose, he's got a really broad nose!
He's a random shape lol!

Is the height of it ok?

 

[JessPickle]

[ QUOTE ]
A cob wouldn't fit around the nose, he's got a really broad nose!
He's a random shape lol!

Is the height of it ok?

[/ QUOTE ]

ah he is one of those between sizes, pickles like that extra fulls really big, full is normally too small!!

 

[soph21]

The back lady reckons he's neither wide or extra wide in saddle width! He'd be an in between the 2!!

Typical awkward Bear lol!

 

[VLHIEASTON]

I think its fitted too high up, let it down a hole.

 

[Abbeygale]

[ QUOTE ]
I think its fitted too high up, let it down a hole.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you sure you not thinking of a standard grackle? A standard grackle is fitted with the top part below the cheekbones, but the mexican grackle is meant to be fitted higher than that, with the rings above the prominent parts of the cheekbones.

 

[madhector]

[ QUOTE ]
I think its fitted too high up, let it down a hole.

[/ QUOTE ]

mexican grackles are designed to sit high like that, otherwise they may as well be ordinary grackles!

 

[Honeypots]

I'm not sure about the fit of the grackle I'm afraid as I've never used one but I must just mention that if you have braking issues then the fact that his saddle is tight at the front may well account for that. In which case I wouldn't ride him until its sorted as you may be doing more harm than good..

 

[soph21]

Its not harming him, He's lucky if he's hacked out once a week ATM lol!!!

 

[Ashkadog]

I have a Mexican grackle, Straight away I thought it was to low. Needs to be higher so go up a few holes on the side and then everything else will start to fit better.

 

[Horseyscot]

I don't know anything about grackles sorry. But actually I think your fibbbing anyway and just want to show off with a grackle. That pretty boy looks as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth and you're trying to tell us you've got braking problems!!

 

[nic85]

From what I can see it looks fine. This is my share horse with his on.....he doesnt wear it anymore though

(and looking at this pic...it could have done with being a few hole higher!)

And for those of you who have commented on how he looks in it and maybe try a flash!! OMG nosebands are not there to look pretty they serve a purpose!!...a grackle is to stop the horse fom Crossing its jaw, a Flash is to stop it form opening its mouth enough to evade the action of the bit.

 

[soph21]

LOL Horseyscot, he's a sweetie in every other way, and he WAS good brakes wise, but he's 5 this month so I think its a teenager phase lol!

 

[Nickijem]

Gorgeous looking horsey. Not sure about the grackle I'm afraid as I have never had one but is the throat-lash on your bridle a little tight, or is it just they way it looks in the third piccy? You should be able to get a hands width between the horse and the strap.

 

[soph21]

I only chucked his bridle on to try it out, he was un tacked after the photos, had his back done and then had his tea

 

[crackersluvrat]

I would probably stick it up a hole or two, other than that looks to fit fine! What make is it? I like the extra flap of leather under the buckle on the bottom strap, mine doesn't have that and just recently it has started to rub him a bit :S

 

[soph21]

I think its JHL? Its only cheap, I didn't want to spend loads if he doesn't like it.

It was only £7!!

 

[Silverspring]

I would say put it up a hole or two it should sit about this high on his face

http://www.equestrianlife.com/wiki/Mexican_noseband

 

[Ezme]

[ QUOTE ]
but he's 5 this month so I think its a teenager phase lol!

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel for you! One of the baby percherons turned 3 last weekend and he's being so stroppy! Not fun when yard is on a steep hill plus his ass is 16.3 and his front is 16.1! No wonder he doesn't want to walk propperly!

 

[golddustsara]

Well I just wanted to say wow he is gorgeous! I want I want!

 

[Storminateacup]

It looks too large on him, IMO. The bottom strap is too low it should be resting against the bit like a flash does, it looks like it would restrict the flow of air into his nostrils, the second strap is equally too high. Grackles are the latest fashion fad too arn't they? why not just try a stronger bit or something with a curb chain, you can always put a rubber guard on it if you feel he may over react to start with. I hate flash nosebands too as they often restrict the nostrils when fitted incorrectly, plus I can understand how they can make a horse feel claustrophobic by strapping the mouth tightly closed.
Personally I have had great success using a curb chain( with pelham or english hackamore) to ask my horse to stop gently and it has helped him use his back better and become stronger, but lighter to ride.
Now I have swapped back to a french link snaffle for most of the time but he has maintained his good brakes and `cruise control`.

 

[Girlracer]

I started a using a grackle with my boy after phaffing around with millions of different bits, curb chains the lot it stopped him opeing his mouth and crossing his jaw.

He's still nowhere near snaffle mouthed in the open but he's a hell of alot better!

re the fit i don't think it looks TO bad but a little big, would a cob size not fit round his nose even if you slackened it right off?

 

[Apalacia01]

If he is crossing his jaw, its a good idea. May also help with brakes (its not just a fashion thing for some...I used a normal noseband, and now my ponio is in a grackle she is much better) ... A fashion accessory is john whitaker tendon boots 'cos they have pink on them, or a 'grackle' because the OP thinks they are cool. OP has been having braking problems, this may help. Get off her back. Christ.


Mexican's are meant to have the holes half way up the cheek bones. I fine that sometimes it gets 'strange' to fit and will hang lower, so you may have to adjust once in a while. I find that my mare still manages to cross whilst in hers, but that is beause I think it may be a bit big. Good luck, and carry on the good work!!