Invented by
a German trainer
who worked at the Spanish Riding School, this noseband encircles the horse's nose at a lower point than its regular counterpart: below the bit and at a point parallel to the horse's chin groove, yet still resting on the nasal bone.
How does a dropped noseband work?
A drop noseband sits
lower on the horse's nose and encircles the chin groove in front of the bit
. This helps to reduce the horse from opening his mouth and crossing his jaw as pressure is applied low on the nose but once the horse relaxes the pressure stops and then has the same benefits of a cavesson noseband.
How should a drop noseband fit?
A drop noseband is very tricky to fit correctly. It
should sit a little lower than a cavesson but must not impair the airways at all
, and it should rest on the facial bones. The chinstrap should fit under the bit and in the chin groove without the buckle or rings interfering with the bit or the horse's lips.
Are drop Nosebands dressage legal?
A cavesson, dropped, crossed or flash noseband
is allowed when a snaffle bridle is used in warmup or competition
, except as prohibited for some tests.
How does a Kineton noseband work?
The kineton noseband works
by transferring bit pressure from the riders hand to the nose
. This noseband is most suitable for horses that are hard pullers, allowing the rider to ride lightly with a mild bit and still stop a strong horse, or hot horses because it helps them to relax and accept the bit.
Where should the noseband sit?
The noseband should be fit
two fingers below the Zygomatic ridge
. Fitting the noseband higher will put pressure directly on a nerve bundle in the horse's face which can cause the horse discomfort. When tightening the noseband you should be able to fit two fingers (stacked) under the front of the noseband.
How tight should cheek pieces be?
The cheek pieces are the correct length when the bit is in the proper position in the mouth. … When a bit is positioned correctly it should
be snug against the corners of the mouth
. It should not be tight enough to cause wrinkles or loose enough to be hanging below the corners of the mouth and potentially bumping teeth.
Can you ride without a noseband?
A well trained horse doesn't need a noseband
. There are horses which open their mouth while chewing, even if the rider has a very soft contact. Many riders would put a tight noseband on such a horse to restrict the opening of the mouth to make it look better, but it isn't for the horse.
Can you carry a whip in dressage?
WHIPS. One whip no longer than 120 cm (47.2 in) including lash may be carried when riding on the flat at any time. … As an exception,
riders competing sidesaddle may carry a whip in the dressage test
at all competitions, including championships.
What is the strongest dressage legal bit?
Recommended: The
peewee bit
often works very well for horses that put their tongue over the bit or stick it out as it is unobtrusive. The Sprenger WH ultra is a dressage legal bit, the 16mm in particular is very successful for horses that resent tongue pressure and try to draw their tongue out from underneath it.
What is the purpose of a Kineton noseband?
The Kineton noseband is an
efficient way to stop the bit from hurting the mouth if the horse trips
, jerks his head or seeks too heavy support because it moves the pressure away from the bars and onto the nose.
What is a combination noseband?
The lever or combination noseband has
a half-moon piece of metal that goes on each side of the horse's face
. … This noseband is similar in design to the grackle, and works by preventing the horse from crossing his jaw, which gives the rider more control.
What is a Tom Thumb bit?
The Tom Thumb Bit – A Bit for the Well-Trained Western Horse
The Tom Thumb snaffle bit starts as a regular snaffle, applying direct pressure to the mouth, lips and to the bars of the horse's mouth. With the addition of shanks however, the
Tom Thumb bit moves beyond the regular snaffle motion by adding leverage action
.
How tight should a browband be?
A browband should fit so that
two fingers (stacked) fit comfortably under the front of the browband
. … You should be able to fit four fingers (stacked) between the throatlatch and the throat to ensure that the horse has enough room to flex, but not so much that the bridle is loose.
Are grackle Nosebands harsh?
Some horses find them more comfortable as they don't press on the pressure points of the face. I find a cavesson quite a harsh feel for a horse – I prefer
no noseband at all
or a grackle.
How tight should a snaffle bit be?
A snaffle http://bit.ly/2cpgfAI should
be snug against the corners of the horse's mouth
. It shouldn't be so tight that it causes wrinkles or so loose that it hangs below the corners of the mouth where it can bump the teeth.
