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Bridles that are using a combination of bits and nosebands have to be carefully considered. Each type of bit has an action upon the horse's lips, bars of the mouth, tonge, jaw, poll etc..... Each type of noseband has an action too. Therefore please consider each carefully as some nosebands can greatly influnece the action of a bit and make a mild bit far more severe. Bits and nosebands should not be selected on fashionable trends. No bit or noseband will replace good horsemanship, there is no quick fix or magical gadget. True horsemanship is to aim to use the lightest touch using simple plain equipment, at at the most refined horsemanship requires no equipement. Take time to reflect on the equipment you use for your horse. Do you fully understand why you have selected the noseband / bit? What action does that bit / noseband apply? How harsh is the bit / noseband combination? Below is some information to prompt thought.
Nosebands
Nosebands have several functions they can:-
- Alter the action of the bit.
- Aid the action of the bit.
- Prevent the horse opening his mouth or crossing his jaws.
Some nosebands are not recommended to go with certain bits or equipment for example a noseband with a chin strap would not be a good combination with a bit with a curb chain. Another example a grackle noseband is not suitable to go with a standing martingale. Below is a brief overview of the most common nosebands and coming soon to this website will be links to other websites for you to check out the latest designs. Below is information on the four most common nosebands.
The Cavesson Noseband This noseband helps to dress the bridle and can improve the appearance of the horse. Some are plain, some are padded and some are decorative so there is a wide selection to choose from. They are usually fitted two fingers width below the projecting check bones and with two fingers between the noseband and the nasal bone. Wider and more padded cavesson nosebands are popular for dressage and are often fitted more tightly to prevent the horse opening his mouth.
The Dropped Noseband This noseband is designed to be fitted below the bit. The small wider strap is positioned across the front boney part of the horse’s nose and the narrow longer strap is fastened below the bit allowing two fingers between the strap and the horse’s chin groove. This bit is used with a snaffle bit and it is designed to prevent the horse opening his mouth or crossing his jaws.
The Flash Noseband This noseband has become very popular and has a similar action to the dropped noseband. Many regard this noseband to be more comfortable for the horse than the dropped noseband. The noseband is a cavesson with loop which has a thin strap that passes through it and this thin strap is fastened below the bit.
The Grackle / Mexican Noseband This noseband prevents the horse from opening his mouth and crossing his jaws and is more effective than a dropped noseband. Care needs to be taken to fit this noseband correctly.
The Bit
There are many bits available. Walk into your local tack shop and you will find a confusing range of bits in a range of materials. Bits are made up of different materials e.g:- rubber, plastic, vulcanite, sweet Iron, stainless steel and copper alloys. Finding the correct bit for your horse is important. It should be the correct size and fit so it is comfortable. Bits range in size from 9 cm (3 inches) to 15 cm (6 inches) and are available in increments of 0.5 cm. These measurements are taken between the inner edges of each bit ring, when the bit is laid flat. There are many things to consider when selecting a bit these include: the size and shape of the horse’s mouth and tongue, the horse’s age, level of schooling and the hands that hold the bit. Experienced light hands can make a severe bit very mild. Inexperienced, unbalanced, heavy hands can make a mild bit very severe. A severe bit is not a substitute for correct schooling. A bit should never be a fashion item. The action and strength of a bit can also be altered or increased by the style of noseband you use. The bit works by applying pressure onto the horse in a number of places and when the horse responds the pressure should be released. Riders should aspire to using gentle pressure and never force. Bits can apply pressure not just on the jaw area: lips, tongue, bars of the mouth and roof of the mouth but also to the horse’s head: poll, nose and curb groove dependant on the bit selected. To learn more about bits you could ask your local riding school to give you a lesson, then you can learn about and handle a number of different bits and how to select and fit a bit for a horse. Below is brief information on the main families / groups of bits that you will find widely available.
The Snaffle Family has a range of different mouthpieces in a range of different materials and they range from very mild action, kind bits through to severe bits. For example a happy mouth French link snaffle is a very mild bit as the extra link that sits flat on the tongue helps to soften the contact. A single jointed snaffle is also considered a mild bit, however it has a nutcracker type action and some horses do dislike this. The mullen mouth snaffle is a gentler bit than the jointed mouthpiece as it spreads pressure across the tongue and is available in a range of materials. For a stronger horse some people use a Dr Bristol, which has a link similar to a French link but this link sits at an angle acts on the tongue in a more severe way.
The Gag Family. Many gags can look similar to a snaffle bit however they are far more severe and in the wrong hands can inflict terrible injuries to a horse. Great care and skill is required when riding a horse in a gag as they act by using leverage which applies pressure onto the horse’s head at the poll and to the corners of the mouth. These bits are often used with two reins. They should never be used as a replacement for correct schooling.
The Pelham Family. The pelham was created to have a similar effect as a double bridle but in one bit. It should be used with two reins, the top rein is the snaffle rein and the bottom rein is the curb rein. The curb rein when used applies pressure to the poll and chin curb groove. It is not a bit for a novice rider and a rider should have an independent seat and good hands before using a pelham. You will also find in this family the kimblewick which can be slotted or plain. These are supplied with a curb chain and these must be fitted correctly or they can inflict terrible injuries. There are substitutes for curb chains that have a milder effect these are made from leather or elastic. There are also a range of chain guards available.
The Double. Here the horse is ridden in two bits a snaffle bit (a bradoon) and a curb bit with curb chain. The two bits have their own set of reins and each bit is used independently. A double bridle is only used for advanced riding e.g. for dressage it is not compulsory until you reach Advanced level.
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