Working hunter - noseband and bit decisions

abbijay

abbijay

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 April 2011
Messages
1,524
Location
Cheshire
Visit site
As the showing season begins I am in a quandry as to which bit and noseband combo to use for my WH classes, it's only beginners height and will be our second attempt ever.
I have a loose ring pelham and hunter noseband that we do flat showing in (and I can maintain control in it) but when he gets giddy (normally cornering to fences) he opens his mouth. It is not a loss of control but it doesn't look great to see him clomping round with his chops agog however I know this is the most correct turnout for showing.
My alternative is to put him in a loose ring snaffle (waterford mouth piece) with a flash on as he can't use the mouth opening trick to look unmannerly. I feel I have similar control in both options so it really comes down to looks.
WWYD?
Cup of tea and bits of Lindt bunny if you got this far.
 
Anything goes really for WH if the judge is to ride bear that in mind when choosing, I would probably use the pelham and get a flat flash noseband to use with it.
 
EEEKKK ! im just starting WH with my mare this year can i jump onto your thread and ask about colours to ride in? , its so hard as my mare is tri coloured but has black tack but arnt you suppose to show in brown ? i have always had bays so i never had black tack before always havana but i think she would look silly in brown tack as she is mainly black and white just brown around her nose and shoulders ? and same goes for me what should i wear ! im a SJ learning the ropes for showing lol. Sorry im totally taking over your thread ;(

As for your question i would ride in what you feel most comfortable in, if its only
your second time out , if you will go better in the flash thats going to make pony look better and more under control ( sorry not saying your ponys a nut job you hopefully get what i mean ) to the judge and as commented if the judge does ride, it will make life slightly easier.
Sorry if i sound complete dingbat but im just coming over to showing myself
 
Popsnlou - you're welcome here with me! Knowledge sharing is all good and we all have to learn. At RC level you will (almost) never be told off for using black tack but you are more likely to get comments about wearing a black jacket, blue is ok (depending on your horse) but tweed will always be fine.
Just to put this post in context this is a picture of Big Pony and I last year doing the same class. Hopefully you can see BP is not a nutter but due to his size can be strong.
picture.php
 
I would use the snaffle and the flash, you can buy little flash attachments to go on your flat hunter noseband so you dont have to use a raised style noseband with a joined flash if you dont want to.

Lots of the county horses are shown in flashes and grackles etc so dont be worried that your not wearing a cavesson :)
 
abbijay is he a clyde cross? he's lovely :D

I'm debating pelham vs snaffle for workers at the weekend too...
 
abbijay, wow big pony lol, yes i can see if he decided to go some where you may have a struggle lol, Thank you for you advice wow saves me buying more tack to clutter the place, i do want a tweed its on my to buy list i have the trad cream/canary jods etc i think i may go with a tie too as i only have a stock ??? may need to do some clothes shows at my yard see whats best,
Your horse is lovely,
 
JFTD - nope. He's a pure bred Clydie! All 18 and a bit hands of his lovely hairiness who thinks he's a 14 hh pony half the time.
Popsnlou - go with whatever you have. Don't spend loads of money until you know you enjoy it. Begging, borrowing and stealing (metaphorically of course) will also get you a long way. Tie or stock on a first time out you'll be fine.
 
abbijay said:
JFTD - nope. He's a pure bred Clydie! All 18 and a bit hands of his lovely hairiness who thinks he's a 14 hh pony half the time.
Click to expand...

Oh you shouldn't have said that :eek:

now I'm well and truly in love :o if he goes missing you'll know where to look!
 
He's lovely - we have a Clyde at out yard and he's such a character!

Tips for cheap kit - look in the school ranges at some of the cheap shops like Asda/Tesco etc, I bought a boys shirt and tie set very cheap, which did the job nicely!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top