Drop Noseband Vs. Cavesson
I rode Franki in a flash up until about 3 months ago, it was just the done thing, everyone at my yard uses one and I just kept it on him. But in collage one day one of my coaches was asking me what kind of bit/bridle I use on my horse (Loose ring snaffle and flash) and said that horses find flashes to be uncomfortable and that I should try him without it. So I did and I found that he goes exactly the same without a flash so I kept it off him.
I did a show awhile ago and put the flash back on him for a couple of days, just in case. And what I found is that he'll play with the bit more without a flash, with the flash he barely moves his tongue/jaws (And no my flash isn't so tight that he can't move his jaws, in fact I kept it quite loose on him for all the days except the show). After the show I took the flash off his bridle again and he's back to playing with the bit and dripping foam like nobodies business (Its rather gross actually, the foam is usually green).
Today I was riding and the BO came out with her son (3) on Blackjack (AKA Super Awesome Pony that I learnt to ride on!), and while she was walking around with him she told me that I should use a drop noseband on Franki because he opens his mouth and crosses his jaw a lot (I haven't noticed it that much really, I just thought he was mouthing the bit, he's still responsive to my hands). I did tell her that he doesn't like having his mouth tied shut with the flash so I don't know what he'd think of a drop, she said tough he still had to have it.
I might as well add that since I'm going to the RDS Horse Show today (Woot. As a spectator/shopper only.) I'm going to try and find one of those big fuzzy sheepskin noseband covers to get him to bring his head down (A rather nice method of bringing it down, don't-chya think?), so he may have to stay in the cavesson. (One of my coaches said that they use them on showjumpers and they work rather well)
So my question is: Which to you prefer, A drop, a cavesson or a flash? I don't think he's at the point he needs a grackle just yet and I want him in the most comfortable noseband possible. I'd like to hear your opinions on nosebands in general, not just in relation to me as well.
Again, I don't mind what you have to say to me, but be nice. Rudeness doesn't get anyone anywhere. And sorry about the novel, I'll cut it if you want.
I did a show awhile ago and put the flash back on him for a couple of days, just in case. And what I found is that he'll play with the bit more without a flash, with the flash he barely moves his tongue/jaws (And no my flash isn't so tight that he can't move his jaws, in fact I kept it quite loose on him for all the days except the show). After the show I took the flash off his bridle again and he's back to playing with the bit and dripping foam like nobodies business (Its rather gross actually, the foam is usually green).
Today I was riding and the BO came out with her son (3) on Blackjack (AKA Super Awesome Pony that I learnt to ride on!), and while she was walking around with him she told me that I should use a drop noseband on Franki because he opens his mouth and crosses his jaw a lot (I haven't noticed it that much really, I just thought he was mouthing the bit, he's still responsive to my hands). I did tell her that he doesn't like having his mouth tied shut with the flash so I don't know what he'd think of a drop, she said tough he still had to have it.
I might as well add that since I'm going to the RDS Horse Show today (Woot. As a spectator/shopper only.) I'm going to try and find one of those big fuzzy sheepskin noseband covers to get him to bring his head down (A rather nice method of bringing it down, don't-chya think?), so he may have to stay in the cavesson. (One of my coaches said that they use them on showjumpers and they work rather well)
So my question is: Which to you prefer, A drop, a cavesson or a flash? I don't think he's at the point he needs a grackle just yet and I want him in the most comfortable noseband possible. I'd like to hear your opinions on nosebands in general, not just in relation to me as well.
Again, I don't mind what you have to say to me, but be nice. Rudeness doesn't get anyone anywhere. And sorry about the novel, I'll cut it if you want.