Drop noseband. When would you use one?

[Camacoona]

While judging I came across a little neddie who never has her mouth closed, evades the bit like billyo and even gets her tongue over the bit (and then panics!).  Half way through the test, the neddie panicked because of the tongue bit issue, so I rushed out of the car to help.  The rider retired from the competition and asked my advice, so I asked all the usual questions, to which she replied that...she has had her mouth checked, has had bridle and bit checked, the horse's back checked and has shown nothing.  I suggested a change of bit which the rider was open to as she had just ordered a Myler which was specially designed for horses that get tongues over bits... (not dressage legal however!) so I wondered about a drop noseband (rather than a flash as you end up over tightening the cavason part to stop it pulling down)

What are your thoughts?  When would you 'resort' to using them?  Some yards use flash and drops as a matter of course dont they? 

[ChrissieW]

I'm not experienced enough to comment except to say my sister's boy can be problematical with his mouth and head as he's a head shaker. He hates flashes, so do we, but would occasionally get his tongue over bit in cavesson. Tried schooling this problem out and checking rider, but he does it with variety of riders. Tried drop as I use one on Mins, cue happy pone. Not sure why.

[Camacoona]

Yeah, I don't like flash nosebands  !  I think because people do them up so tight (originally so that the flash strap doesn't pull the cavason down) but now more than ever because they want the jaw immobilised 

What people don't realise is that when the horse is going correctly, the horse opens the lower jaw away from the top (slightly) and the lower jaw drops forward.  If the horse isn't able to do this correctly the brachiocephalic muscles can't work correctly and the snappy action of the forelegs creep in.

I think the drop noseband is more likely to allow for that correct relaxation of the jaw while allowing it to drop forward also.  But none of mine need anything like that, indeed I rarely have a noseband on any of my bridles.

[lacey]

SRS use them, I believe, with Fulmer snaffles

[catkin]

I like them - for horses that are going through a mouth open phase. They don't have to be tight to work as a gentle reminder and don't close up on the cheeks or make dents in the nose like I find a flash does.
I think there was also some research that the back strap stays in the curb groove properly and that makes horses settled as it's an acupuncture point - might be complete tosh can't remember where I read it.

you can use a drop noseband and a pair of reins as an impromptu sidepull too

[Camacoona]

Thanks Lacey and Catkin

[issywizz]

The problem is that in 99% of cases the horse is rightly objecting to a less that perfect contact.
I cant imagine that I would ever use one tbh, either the rider is at fault or the horse doesnt like the bit in which case either the rider needs training or the horse would be better without a bit.
The issue I have with drops is that it removes the horses means of objecting to something that in most cases he is perfectly justified in objecting to.

[Camacoona]

Yes you are right Sarah, I'm lucky in that all of mine go without the need for any noseband, (my next project is ridden paiffe and passage with no bridle at all! think it be a hoot! and I know Ketch'll enjoy the freedom) 

I can just imagine a horse getting into a kind of habit and may just need a reminder of how to be in a remedial capacity (that is a more gentle reminder than an actual flash noseband especially with a crank).  Happily this is only a theoretical question as most horses I come across are more than happy when I come along and take flash straps off and loosen of the crank nosebands.  The horses enjoy the feeling of soften and give that seems to be the theme for most of my lessons at the moment

[issywizz]

I hope you are going to keep us updated on your progress, Omar 

I think you will find it easy enough actually given that you already have a good piaffe and passage in place. 

[ros]

Agree 150% with Sarah - I'm very suspicious of the circumstances in which a horse has its mouth open constantly, however many checks have been done!

[Candypony]

I don't mind drops, although they're a devil of a thing to find one that fits correctly!

I often school with no noseband whatsoever... but for endurance and jumping I tend to leave the snaffle in place but add the drop - just means that if she fizzes over, I have half a chance of containing the explosion!!  

ETA I think crank nosebands are an instrument of torture... I do wonder if rolkur would even be possible without them...