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Why are flash nosebands used? I have my theory but want to hear what others say.

well, like all pieces of tack it can be misused, however, i use it like a drop nose band, only it is much more adjustable. even with drops that have four piece adjustments it can be difficult to set it correctly. So, if correctly adjusted the horse can still eat a sugar cube, while having the flash on, and it helps keep the bit stable in the mouth.

I know that some people adjust it so that the horse cannot open the mouth to evade the action of the bit on the bars.

that said, i have, hanging on my saddle rack, ten flashes, just looped around , that have never come anywhere near the bridle.

I was taught, that it basically has the same function as a correctly used drop noseband. It should keep a horse from laterally shifting the lover jaw to avoid the bit/aids.

I hadn't thought of the sugar cube as a 'test' but since I always give one at the mounting block, without issue, my flash be ok!

What people say it's for: stabilizing the bit

What it's actually for: crank the mouth shut

When I put one on the catch ride drag me around school horse I'm occationally on, she got a lot softer and allowed me to use much lighter contact. my hands aren't different, so I'm thinking it keeps her from plowing through my hands. As soon as I added it, within 2 rides she began to soften and lift her previously unreachable back. Comments?

martha sc wrote:When I put one on the catch ride drag me around school horse I'm occationally on, she got a lot softer and allowed me to use much lighter contact. my hands aren't different, so I'm thinking it keeps her from plowing through my hands. As soon as I added it, within 2 rides she began to soften and lift her previously unreachable back. Comments?

What I have been told is that the flash serves two purposes:

1. It keeps the horse from lolling it's tongue out the side of it's mouth (we've all seen a horse that plays with/flaps his tongue while ridden, I'm sure).

2. It keeps a 'heavy' horse from laying on the bit so much.

So, from that, I would say #2 fits what you describe.

As a side note, when I first began training my mare (a 12yo who had been green-broke to walk & trot @ age 4, then not ridden for 8 years), my trainer had me ride her in a flash. As she got steady and more solidified in her training, and pulling on or laying on the bit wasn't an issue, the trainer had me remove the flash.

heronponie wrote:What people say it's for: stabilizing the bit

What it's actually for: crank the mouth shut

Well then, isn't that what any cav is for? Last night I bridled my unstarted 3 yo without a cav, and she proceeded to loll, chew and try to spit the bit out for 20 minutes. When just a loosely adjusted French caveson is on, she's immediately quiet in the mouth.

That's not to say that some people do adjust it too tightly and crank the mouth shut.

I audited a Hilda Gurney clinic and she said she starts her horses with a flash to prevent development of a busy mouth, hanging tongue, etc.

heronponie wrote:What people say it's for: stabilizing the bit

What it's actually for: crank the mouth shut

That's insulting for those of us who actually use equipment correctly. I start my horses in a drop so that they don't start crossing the jaw as AmityBee said. It stabilized the bit. I also start my horses in a fulmer. My horses are not heavy and their mouths have NEVER been cranked shut. In fact, they quite easily accept a treat with a drop noseband.

I'm down to two horses. Neither currently is in a drop. In fact, one is without a noseband since he has a special bridle due to headshaking. The other is going nicely in a Micklem. Again, he easily eats treats and is not cranked in any sense of the word.

There are many people I know who do not say it is for one thing but use it for another.

Code3 wrote:

heronponie wrote:What people say it's for: stabilizing the bit

What it's actually for: crank the mouth shut

That's insulting for those of us who actually use equipment correctly. I start my horses in a drop so that they don't start crossing the jaw as AmityBee said. It stabilized the bit. I also start my horses in a fulmer. My horses are not heavy and their mouths have NEVER been cranked shut. In fact, they quite easily accept a treat with a drop noseband.

I'm down to two horses. Neither currently is in a drop. In fact, one is without a noseband since he has a special bridle due to headshaking. The other is going nicely in a Micklem. Again, he easily eats treats and is not cranked in any sense of the word.

There are many people I know who do not say it is for one thing but use it for another.

thank you

Correct use: stabilizing the bit
Incorrect use: closing the mouth

Personally, I don't use them but they can be helpful with early training of young horses. I often think that drops work even better for the needs people/horses have.

piedmontfields wrote:Correct use: stabilizing the bit
Incorrect use: closing the mouth

Personally, I don't use them but they can be helpful with early training of young horses. I often think that drops work even better for the needs people/horses have.

They are supposed to work better, traditional trainers prefer them, I do not know if it a failing of mine but I can never be happy with the fit of a drop, so prefer the flash

Their purpose is to cause endless arguing on dressage boards. Hahahaha!