Why does everyone seem to have a flash bridle?

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AmberThePony

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Since I have been on social media I follow quite a few horsey pages, what I have noticed is that there is a flash on nearly every horse or pony. I don't like them personally, I think they just hide a horse trying to escape pain from the bit. What really got me the other day was when someone posted pictures of a 3 or 4 year old that was only just getting used to a bridle, yet it had a flash on already. If the horse has never had a bridle on then how do they know it needs a flash already? I don't know if it is just fashionable at the moment as I am doubtful that all these horses need one.
 
I would never use one. Rarely use a noseband either. I've recently seen some flashes done up so tight however that the flesh was squeezing out around it. Barbaric IMO.
 
I get the loop cut off, or buy tack without in the 1st place.

All cheap end bridles come with them, no idea why.
Senseless uneducated people then use them as they think its the norm, when questioned, they have no idea why the horse/pony needs to wear a flash..... :rolleyes3:
 
I have never used one. It can be quite hard to find a bridle without the option of one, so having the loop but they can be found.
 
Loathe them, how can a horse be relaxed if it's tense in the mouth? Used with a single jointed bit they give the poor animal no escape from the joint hitting the roof of the mouth, especially when you consider the 'twenty pounds of pressure in each hand at all times' type of rider.

I know someone who uses one because she thinks it looks nice and others for the simple reason that the bridle came with one attached grrr
 
Isn't the theory that a flash/drop stablises the bit in the horses mouth? I've noticed before that Carl and Charlotte have their young horses in flash nosebands, I've often wondered why, but not seen them talk about it anywhere, I'd be interested in knowing. Their horses never look tense or resistant.
 
It is the fashion of the age, especially for dressage; 25-30 years ago it was the drop noseband. Much like running martingales over here (Ireland), flash nosebands are just automatically put on as standard without much knowledge of what they're actually supposed to be doing. They have their uses, I suppose, but most horses don't need them and those that do should be properly trained or otherwise helped to overcome what is causing the discomfort in their mouths, but since this is usually the rider there doesn't seem to be much hope of this happening.......
 
Because it's blinking hard to find a bridle in a tack shop that isn't a flash!

I was looking for a cheap bridle for my new lad a few weeks ago. All bar the most expensive had a flash. I did find a plain caveson at another tack shop eventually.
 
MrsMozart said:
Because it's blinking hard to find a bridle in a tack shop that isn't a flash!

I was looking for a cheap bridle for my new lad a few weeks ago. All bar the most expensive had a flash. I did find a plain caveson at another tack shop eventually.
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It is very simple to just take the flash strap off, and to cut off the loop, or have it removed by a saddler if you like things perfect :-)
 
Its all about cranks and flashes these days! Horrible things when used by the vast majority of the equine world who have no idea how or why to use one.

All of mine are in plain cavesons for showing. I ride work without a noseband at all bar one horse who wears a grackle to help with his breathing.

Just take them off. Simples.
 
Cortez said:
It is the fashion of the age, especially for dressage; 25-30 years ago it was the drop noseband. Much like running martingales over here (Ireland), flash nosebands are just automatically put on as standard without much knowledge of what they're actually supposed to be doing. They have their uses, I suppose, but most horses don't need them and those that do should be properly trained or otherwise helped to overcome what is causing the discomfort in their mouths, but since this is usually the rider there doesn't seem to be much hope of this happening.......
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Cortez I was amazed last week to be trying a four year old not far from here, and finding he had been started and ridden away (by a showjumper) in a double jointed snaffle, plain noseband and no martingale. I've never sat on a four year old started by someone else which was so lovely to ride. I bought him. The only thing extra I've put on him is a neckstrap :D (well you never know).
 
AmberThePony said:
Since I have been on social media I follow quite a few horsey pages, what I have noticed is that there is a flash on nearly every horse or pony. I don't like them personally, I think they just hide a horse trying to escape pain from the bit. What really got me the other day was when someone posted pictures of a 3 or 4 year old that was only just getting used to a bridle, yet it had a flash on already. If the horse has never had a bridle on then how do they know it needs a flash already? I don't know if it is just fashionable at the moment as I am doubtful that all these horses need one.
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Suppose only the against are posting but I love them and have about 5 and just bought a new one

I personally loath the Grackle
 
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Rowreach said:
Cortez I was amazed last week to be trying a four year old not far from here, and finding he had been started and ridden away (by a showjumper) in a double jointed snaffle, plain noseband and no martingale. I've never sat on a four year old started by someone else which was so lovely to ride. I bought him. The only thing extra I've put on him is a neckstrap :D (well you never know).
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Loving this post on so many levels lass :)
 
I had to buy a double and remove the extra cheek pieces to get the bridle I wanted without a flash loop. My reasoning was it would come in handy if we move to a double in future lol.
 
alainax said:
I had to buy a double and remove the extra cheek pieces to get the bridle I wanted without a flash loop. My reasoning was it would come in handy if we move to a double in future lol.
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And a FYI - you can turn a snaffle bridle into a double bridle very simply by purchasing a headslip and an extra pair of reins. I don't think I've ever bought a double bridle as such (and I ride in one every day).
 
7 here only one wears a flash, 1 micklem and 1 grackle because they prefer it. Perhaps the horses you are seeing prefer it too? There is no need to have a flash done up tightly. No martingales on any of the ones I've had for a while. Two new ones have them on but once I've worked out if they are needed they might go too. I don't like cleaning tack.
 
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Cortez said:
Much like running martingales over here (Ireland), flash nosebands are just automatically put on as standard without much knowledge of what they're actually supposed to be doing.
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This. Horse opens mouth = needs a flash as this is easier/quicker than fixing the issue.
I got told my horse needed one to keep his mouth shut, and a martingale, he was young, and my first horse so I listened...for a while. Later took both off, realised he didn't need either, but got funny looks.
 
FfionWinnie said:
7 here only one wears a flash, 1 micklem and 1 grackle because they prefer it. Perhaps the horses you are seeing prefer it too? There is no need to have a flash done up tightly. No martingales on any of the ones I've had for a while. Two new ones have them on but once I've worked out if they are needed they might go too. I don't like cleaning tack.
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The thing is I see so many and so I wonder if every single one prefers a flash which seems quite unlikely! But I see where you are coming from.
 
My horse genuinely goes better in a flash, even on the flat.

I don't tend to use it for flatwork only jumping as he tends to tank off after a jump and a flash allows me to hold him as he would open his mouth otherwise. But in his jumping sessions he also improves on the flat with it on.

It's only loose and I can fit 2 fingers under it but it does make a difference. Eventually I hope to not need it .
 
I wanted to buy a new bridle at Your Horse Live, I had two requirements:- No flash, Not hunter style
You would think I was asking for the impossible, I would say 90% of the bridles there were flash bridles, it was so frustrating. I did eventually find what I wanted but that too had a removable flash attachment, but that's not securely stowed away in the drawer.
I guess I could have bought a flash one and just taken it off but I hate that little bit of leather that is left, I think it looks so untidy.

I think it must just be fashion, no other way to explain the popularity.
 
It is very simple to just take the flash strap off, and to cut off the loop, or have it removed by a saddler if you like things perfect :-)
 
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