What noseband do you use for BD, for horses who prefer a grackle?

AFlapjack

AFlapjack

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Pony goes best in a Mexican grackle but unfortunately I can't use it for BD comps!

What noseband would be a good alternative? I was thinking of perhaps using a flash but adjusting it higher than normal to act similarly? Or is that a no go?! What do you use?

Thanks :)
 
Just do what half the competitors around seem to be doing at the moment. Buy a big flash noseband and fit it as high as you can get it on his face, but a little loose. Do up the flash and it will pull the cavesson down and make a classic English grackle.

It really bugs me that this is legal when a grackle isn't, it's a complete nonsense and BD may as well make English grackles legal.
 
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Hmmm I don't know why grackle are banned really? Surely they're not half as bad as the crank nosebands...

I will see how he goes in a flash fitted higher up. Thanks.
 
Why do you use a grackle? Does your horse really cross jaw or is it more that they are just softer in grackle as opposed to flash? If the latter is is likely due to fact that there is less pressure against teeth/cheeks, so I would therefore try a drop
 
cptrayes said:
Just do what half the competitors around seem to be doing at the moment. Buy a big flash noseband and fit it as high as you can get it on his face, but a little loose. Do up the flash and it will pull the cavesson down and make a classic English grackle.

It really bugs me that this is legal when a grackle isn't, it's a complete nonsense and BD may as well make English grackles legal.
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this actually wouldnt work at all as the grackle is one continuous piece of leather on each side so the pressure equalises over the face, the flash is 2 seperate pieces looped together in the middle so the pressure can be forced over one part of the face only and if you tried to do the bottom strap up a lot tighter than the top it would end up pulled down on to the soft part of the nose.

TBH unless you do the top part of a flash up ridiculously tight, it will always sag a bit as its got something hanging from it effectively as as most people DONT do it up ridiculosuly tight, thats why you see so many with a bit of a sag.

i second the drop or micklem.
 
I used a drop on my late boy who was ridden in a grackle the rest of the time. Using the drop instead of the flash gave me far better control and we gained far higher percentages.
 
Unfortunately he does cross his jaw so needs the grackle. I've ridden him in a drop before and it didn't suit him at all. Having said that, I'm not sure he would like the flash either!

I suppose I should try the micklem but currently I'm no where near the position to purchase one!! I understand you can trial them from some websites though? The next problem would be getting it to fit! He has a cob sized bridle with an XF browband!!

Thanks for all the replies. Luckily I don't have any BD comps until June so he plenty of time to work out something, hopefully!
 
AFlapjack said:
Unfortunately he does cross his jaw so needs the grackle. I've ridden him in a drop before and it didn't suit him at all. Having said that, I'm not sure he would like the flash either!

I suppose I should try the micklem but currently I'm no where near the position to purchase one!! I understand you can trial them from some websites though? The next problem would be getting it to fit! He has a cob sized bridle with an XF browband!!

Thanks for all the replies. Luckily I don't have any BD comps until June so he plenty of time to work out something, hopefully!
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You can use your exisitng browband with a micklem bridle :)

We have put one on Noffy and, while it isn't the panacea that some people seem to expect/suggest he does go better in it. He wasn't a jaw crosser, though, more a mouth opener and sucker behind the contact... I know it sounds obvious but I assume you have had a think about WHY he is crossing his jaw - wrong bit mouthpiece or too strong hand aids etc? I'm not a bunny hugger, honest, but it is worth considering before you rush off and spend money on other ways to keep his mouth shut :rolleyes:
 
TD he is ridden in an NS Verbindend for DR/SJ and a Wilkie type bit with similar mouthpiece as the Verbindend for XC etc. I have to say he doesn't evade the bit during normal schooling and is very responsive to seat and voice. But out XC when he gets a bit excited and I need to take a pull, is when he does it. Maybe he needs a different bit (?) but I don't want anything too strong that will back him off. I stick the grackle on for schooling etc., mainly as a 'back up' as he is known to run off sometimes when he panics (be it a close horse in the warm up or wind up his bum :rolleyes: ) but everything's been checked so its not a pain response. Just his quirk.
 
AFlapjack said:
TD he is ridden in an NS Verbindend for DR/SJ and a Wilkie type bit with similar mouthpiece as the Verbindend for XC etc. I have to say he doesn't evade the bit during normal schooling and is very responsive to seat and voice. But out XC when he gets a bit excited and I need to take a pull, is when he does it. Maybe he needs a different bit (?) but I don't want anything too strong that will back him off. I stick the grackle on for schooling etc., mainly as a 'back up' as he is known to run off sometimes when he panics (be it a close horse in the warm up or wind up his bum :rolleyes: ) but everything's been checked so its not a pain response. Just his quirk.
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If he only does it XC you will be fine in a cavesson for dressage :)
 
Prince33Sp4rkle said:
this actually wouldnt work at all as the grackle is one continuous piece of leather on each side so the pressure equalises over the face, the flash is 2 seperate pieces looped together in the middle so the pressure can be forced over one part of the face only and if you tried to do the bottom strap up a lot tighter than the top it would end up pulled down on to the soft part of the nose.
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And it would be beyond anyone's capabilities to tighten each half to the same degree would it Princess?

Of course it cannot work exactly as a grackle because a grackle is illegal, that's the whole point of the thread.

It DOES work with horses that 'need' a grackle. Lots and lots of people use exactly that set up in dressage competitions precisely because it does work. It mimics an English, not a Mexican, grackle.

Just take a look around at any major competition and you will see plenty of very high set cavessons with the front part dipping down the nose where it is joined by the flash, forming an X instead of a V meeting the straight line of the cavesson.


Here is a picture of something very like what I mean.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/nikkimariet/Fig/531753_388977074490632_1189541145_n.jpg
 
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cptrayes said:
And it would be beyond anyone's capabilities to tighten each half to the same degree would it Princess?

Of course it cannot work exactly as a grackle because a grackle is illegal, that's the whole point of the thread.

It DOES work with horses that 'need' a grackle. Lots and lots of people use exactly that set up in dressage competitions precisely because it does work. It mimics an English, not a Mexican, grackle.

Just take a look around at any major competition and you will see plenty of very high set cavessons with the front part dipping down the nose where it is joined by the flash, forming an X instead of a V meeting the straight line of the cavesson.


Here is a picture of something very like what I mean.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/nikkimariet/Fig/531753_388977074490632_1189541145_n.jpg
Click to expand...

That is absolutely outrageous. I have asked for your post to be pulled, and I hope you are dealt with swiftly and appropriately. Who on earth do you think you are?!
 
As per original post, it will be pulled down unless top part is outrageously tight and I doubt every person whose top strap is sagging, is trying to make a grackle.

As for your link, rude and sly doesn't cover it and I too hope your obnoxious postings are bought to an end.
 
LCH611 said:
Or are you implying it is being used as an illicit grakle?
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I think the implication is clear, regardless of how far from the truth it actually is...

But it reflects more on cptrayes and her vendetta against certain forum members, than it does on the owner of the picture, I fear :cool:
 
Back on topic, Heidi, bless her, came in a grakle when I bought her as she was a confirmed jaw-crosser. Problem was she still did it in a grakle. As soon as I put a drop on her she became easier and that's the way its stayed. I'm not a fan of flashes so would recommend you try a drop if you need the extra help, if not a plain cavesson.
 
cptrayes said:
Just take a look around at any major competition and you will see plenty of very high set cavessons with the front part dipping down the nose where it is joined by the flash, forming an X instead of a V meeting the straight line of the cavesson.


Here is a picture of something very like what I mean.

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i390/nikkimariet/Fig/531753_388977074490632_1189541145_n.jpg
Click to expand...

I've seen flash nosebands done up as you describe but the example you've given is one that is done up correctly and almost straight (unlike the browband). Did you mean to link to another picture?

ETS: Whoops I replied without reading further down - now see I'm not the only person to say that!
 
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