I Feel Like Giving Up :(

[baeloclaudia]

Hi Sarah B - an interesting read. Luckily the bit in the photos bears no resemblance to the one I'm using. Perhaps it has a different name, although it was calles a tom thumb when I bought it (admittedly off EBay!) Mine is double jointed and the cheeks/rings are a slightly different arrangement. Also I ride in it with 2 reins (similar to a pelham). I can only say in my defence that it works for us! My mare hasn't read many articles and even if she had, she would do her very best to prove herself different! Thanks for pointing it out though.  

[karen thompson]

I have to admit I totally agree with this sentiment, despite using flash nosebands on both of my horses. The flash noseband became fashion and seems to have stayed, then there was the buble bit, etc etc.

I think the really important thing is that the horse must be comfortable and accepting to the clothes you expect him or her to wear. When I do things with my horses their clothes are adjusted to what we are doing. Working on the flat they don't need the flash, hacking out Streets does as she crosses her jaw, or opens her mouth and you are off. They both have mild bits, a happy mouth and french link - nothing stronger, but again it is horses for courses and they are all different as are the riders capabilities. I do not think that there is any right answer, but you and your horse have to be safe and comfortable what ever you are doing.

Karen

[lmevans]

Wayhey !  People who agree about the fashion thing!!!  I recently treated myself and my neddy to a new bridle - and as I had promised he could have a nice one when he grew up and stopped breaking them   I wanted a nice thick chunky stubben to compliment his large head and long nose. When I went to buy I had order a caveson noseband specially as they couldn't supply one as standard - I could have a drop, flash or grakle but no caveson!!!

fashion stinks when it comes to horses - their welfare should be above such trivia.

L x

[Mandeigh]

hmmmm I have noticed this 'flash' thing going on.  It does seem to be quite impossible to buy a bridles with a plain nose band.

a wee thing about nosebands though, I agree with Karen that you need to go with what suits them.  My last boy was ridden in a flash noseband, and Rohan has just gone into a grakle......both nosebands done up with enough movement in them to allow the horse to chew and even open a bit....but especially with roh, who opens his mouth really wide and rattles the bit around....enough that he can only open ...so far...  In my opinion that's what these nosebands were designed for.....to prevent the excesses....its just because of our missunderstandings that we end up using them incorrectly.

I have seen these new 'dressage' nosebands....I believe they call them crank nosebands...they even come with a pad to 'stop them cutting into the horse' whatever happend to the couple of fingers of clearence?  that really is horse abuse
 

[Sarah B]

Where I keep Red most of us ride without nose bands (and un shod) and the looks we get from the 'posh' people on their shiny horses with every bit of 'gadgetry' you can buy have to be seen to be believed!  But I am sure our horses are happier in themselves - can you imagine having your mouth cranked shut - with a little pad so it does not cut your skin...... honestly!  Dressage judges ought to mark people down for riding with anything extra to a basic saddle and loose cavesson - maybe give penalty points so that you can use a crank noseband if you want to - but you get penalised where as you dont if you can do your Grand Prix dressage test with a simple and non-restrictive bridle and bit .  Revolutionary idea !!!!  And the horses ought to be inspected before and after - like endurance horses - and any signs of injury and un-neccessary stress should cause elimination!!  

I guess I'm about to be banned for ever from BHS Dressage Competitions!!      

[nix]

I must say I agree with what everyone has said so far about flash nosebands. You can buy decent bridles without them, but you do have to hunt about!  <_<

As for crank nosebands, they're all very well if they're done up normally. However, I've seen some "dressage" bods tighten it so much it's a wonder the horse can actually breathe. When the noseband was removed there was a deep indentation right the way around the face.     The same horse was literally unable to move for 20 minutes after a "schooling" session, he was so sore in his neck.  :(

Nix
x

[liz]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one whoe rides without a nose band, Sarah B.

I also get funny looks, nudges etc for going barefoot.

But everyone who has seen Solly, like the vet and dentist etc has said what a good/beautifull horse I have, but hasn't said that about the others!!!  (or this is me being big headed!) :P

If it makes her happy, or more comfortable, I'm going to do it, regardless of what others think, whether it be my way of going about it, or not conforming to "the normal standards".  Not that I'm closed to suggestion, btw.....

I'll get off me soap box now.....

C n B's

Liz x

Ps. I think I might of just taken this thread right off course!!  Oops, sorry!