A noseband is an integral component of a horse’s bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the horse. It is used to keep the horse’s mouth closed, to prevent the horse from crossing its jaw, and possibly to stabilize the bit in the horse’s mouth. Nosebands come in various types and are used differently across horse-riding disciplines, including dressage, show jumping, and Western riding. Each variation offers different levels of control and comfort, depending on the riding task.
The Relevance of Nosebands in Bridles
Nosebands, a component of the horse’s bridle, have certain functional and aesthetic bearings which justify their inclusion in certain riding styles. Their usage attributes differ across traditions, and their acceptance varies within equine circles.
Nosebands: A Historical Viewpoint
While bridles’ construction mandates no strict adherence to the inclusion of nosebands, their popularity has emerged in recent times.
Noseband-less Era: The preceding century’s horseman might have found the concept of a noseband non-existent, showing that nosebands are more a modern construct than an inherent equipment of vintage horse riding.
Western Riding & Nosebands: Even today, Western-style riding does not view nosebands as obligatory equipment.
Nosebands in English Style Riding
In contrast to Western-style riding, English-style horseriding favors the inclusion of nosebands in their bridles.
Aesthetic Role: A bridle completed with a noseband presents a clean, elegant image, enhancing the overall presentation.
Introduction to the Cavesson Noseband
The cavesson noseband, amid its diverse sibling types, stands out for its simplicity and unobtrusiveness.
Structure and Design: At a mere glance, a cavesson resembles a plain band of leather. It might carry some decorative nuances like being rolled or stitched but maintains a simple form overall. It is held securely with a long strap running between the horse’s ears and fastened under the jaw.
Positioning: Its place remains slightly above the bit, ideally between the cheekbones’ edges and the mouth corners.
| Cavesson Features | Description |
| Structure | Simple band of leather |
| Design | Possibly rolled or stitched |
| Placement | Midway between cheekbones and mouth corners |
The Cavesson’s Non-Invasive Nature
One notable quality of the cavesson noseband is its non-interfering nature, which makes it agreeable to many a horse and pony.
Effect on Horses: The cavesson noseband exerts no notable influence on its wearers, thereby scoring high on the comfort metric.
Utility: Its function extends to serving as an attachment point for a standing martingale, thereby enhancing its practical use.
Specialised Nosebands for Equine Discipline
A spectrum of nosebands exists to counter equine resistance or disobedience. These nosebands apply varied methodologies to induce compliance and influence the horse’s movements and anatomy.
Dealing with Equine Resistance: Advanced Nosebands
Some horses and ponies might demonstrate evasion to the bit’s action by widely opening their mouths. Special nosebands act to curb this avoidance and ensure the bit functions correctly.
Positioning: Unlike the cavesson, these nosebands position under the bit and are often referred to as ‘drop’ type nosebands.
Fitting and Considerations for Drop-Type Nosebands
The essential factor for these nosebands is the correct fitting to facilitate comfortable equine respirations.
Respiration Mechanism: Horses and ponies inherently breathe through their nostrils, not their mouths. Thus, a noseband fitted too low can obstruct the nostrils, impede proper breathing, and induce panic, leading to abnormal behaviour.
The Drop Noseband
Formerly a popular choice, the drop noseband is less common today.
Positioning: The drop noseband needs to be fitted high up on the nose’s bony part, almost to the level of a cavesson noseband.
Spacing: Ensure a gap equivalent to at least three fingers between the strap and the nostrils.
Backstrap: The backstrap must comfortably settle in the chin groove.
The Flash Noseband
A flash noseband is essentially a cavesson noseband with an added strap.
Design: It encompasses an additional strap that is stitched or slips through a loop at the nose’s front. The flash strap situates below the bit and buckles under the chin.
Positioning:Take care not to fit it too low, as it might pull down the cavesson strap.
Compatibility with Martingale: The flash noseband can accommodate a standing martingale which attaches to the cavesson strap.
The Grakle or Crossed Noseband
The Grakle noseband, characterised by its distinctive design, offers another alternative to control the horse’s mouth and jaw movements.
Design: It comprises two thin straps crossing in a figure-eight fashion at the nose front, usually cushioned with a small pad of leather or sheepskin beneath, and fastens under the jaw.
Positioning: The lower strap situates below the bit, and another small strap secures the two halves together under the jaw.
Compatibility with Bits: The Flash and Grakle should preferably be used with a snaffle bit to ensure fairness to the pony.
The Kineton Noseband
The Kineton noseband exerts a unique influencing strategy, especially on a pony that poses significant control challenges.
Design: It boasts a distinct construct, with no strap under the chin, but an adjustable padded nosepiece with metal loops on each side, inserted between the face and the bit.
Function: Upon pulling the reins, pressure simultaneously applies to the bit and the nose, helping prevent the horse from thrusting his nose out and pulling.
| Noseband Type | Design | Positioning | Compatibility |
| Drop | Single Strap | High up on the nose above the cavesson | – |
| Flash | Cavesson with an additional strap | Below the bit, buckling under the chin | Supports martingale |
| Grakle | Two crisscrossing straps with a small pad underneath | Below the bit, fastening under the jaw | Best paired with a snaffle bit |
| Kineton | Adjustable padded nosepiece with two metal loops | Between the face and the bit | – |
