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Post by gingernut on Oct 14, 2008 19:23:00 GMT
I have bought a grackle (the type with rings) and I can't seem to get it to fit!! Got a full and it was huge on all straps and a cob size but the buckle on the bottom strap does up on Lu's lips - this is obviously not right but I can't seem to get it to fit where they are supposed to do up without it being too low on her nose - help!! (please x)
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Post by madcatwoman on Oct 14, 2008 20:04:16 GMT
this is flash's one  |
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Post by zara on Oct 14, 2008 20:29:04 GMT
I'm sorry but why would you? I hate nosebands which clamp horses' mouths shut, sorry but that is my opinion Z
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Post by gingernut on Oct 14, 2008 20:43:19 GMT
Everyone is entitled to an opinion!! Lu is can be strong and opens and also crosses her jaw when excited and I don't want to keep her in the kimblewick as she is actually very light mouthed and she is a lot happier in her hanging cheek french-link snaffle but I want to be able to stop her and have more control for jumping and faster work, but I don't like flashes as I think they aren't very ergonomically nice for the horse. I have had her teeth done last week but they were ok so I know it's not her mouth hurting her.
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Post by zara on Oct 14, 2008 20:49:59 GMT
I appreciate this is a difficult problem and you have to be safe. Have you considered a drop noseband? Zx
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Post by aimee on Oct 14, 2008 20:57:18 GMT
I think grackles are supposed to do up on their lip, like where a flash would go, and the crossing point of the noseband on the centre of the face should sit approximately in line with the end of the horse's cheekbone. I think the general rule is to have a 2 finger tightness. Haven't used a grackle for years so maybe ask someone who has more experience with them
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Post by gingernut on Oct 14, 2008 20:59:44 GMT
Yeah I have one but when I went to do jumpcross it wasn't enough so I had to put the flash back on her. I have found a pic of us when I had the angle wrong on the jump but I was trying to slow her down - I have trimmed it to show you but I think it shows her crossing her jaw?  |
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slinky
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Post by slinky on Oct 15, 2008 8:56:11 GMT
I appreciate this is a difficult problem and you have to be safe. Have you considered a drop noseband? Zx Zara I take your point, and you can't quick fix a problem, however I'm suprised about your drop nose band suggestion. That works in a not too dissimilar way to a grackle.  It's much easier to use a drop noseband incorrectly, and you can cause massive amounts of damage. I would think a Grackle would be a safer option. Drop nosebands seem to be becoming fashionable again. Pinkpearly can you post a picture of her wearing it? then maybe we can give you specific advice ;D It may be as simple as popping an extra hole in the head peice They are fitted much higher on the face than you're traditional Grackle. |
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Post by fimacg on Oct 15, 2008 9:15:42 GMT
Pearly have you had a look at the photo of Otto riding his new best friend the coloured horse, its wearing a grakle.
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Post by scattymare on Oct 15, 2008 20:06:06 GMT
I tried one on Doof years back and if I recall, the bottom of the cheek pieces shoul be one fingers width below the prominent cheekbone. The crossover section sits higher up the nose than on a flash but the bottom straps cross over the lips and in the chin groove in the same place as a flash.
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Post by gingernut on Oct 17, 2008 6:45:09 GMT
Well had another go trying to fit one and I have come to the conclusion that she is just awkward!! I fitted it up higher so it was higher than a 'normal' grackle but the bottom strap was too tight and the top one was too loose!! I think I'll just stick to the flash with her - I fit the flash in the same place as the 'normal' grackle would sit anyway as I've always been told that the flash should sit higher than a cavasson so it doesn't interfere with the horse's breathing, and if I get a nice thick padded one I think she'll be ok! Thanks for all your help on this one though guys!  |
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Post by brigadier on Oct 17, 2008 7:26:55 GMT
I appreciate this is a difficult problem and you have to be safe. Have you considered a drop noseband? Zx Zara I take your point, and you can't quick fix a problem, however I'm suprised about your drop nose band suggestion. That works in a not too dissimilar way to a grackle. It's much easier to use a drop noseband incorrectly, and you can cause massive amounts of damage. I would think a Grackle would be a safer option. Drop nosebands seem to be becoming fashionable again. Pinkpearly can you post a picture of her wearing it? then maybe we can give you specific advice ;D It may be as simple as popping an extra hole in the head peice They are fitted much higher on the face than you're traditional Grackle. Grackles are fine for the crossing jaw option, if that is what she is doing but in the picture I believe she is resisting the pressure from the flash- its too big and restrictive for her face. Go back to basics first- even try her without a noseband to see if she is resenting the pressure the noseband is causing on her teeth- then at least you can make an informed decision about what may suit her. Drops are coming back into fashion because 'correctly fitted' they are the most sensible fit for the horses face and act only on the problem in hand ie not causing pressure on sensitive areas uncessesarily, but preventing the horse from opening its mouth excessively, they are great (scratch that- they are fantastic) for young horses still changing teeth as they do not in any way interfere with the molars- nearly every other noseband does. I hope more people use them (correctly). I cant help you with the Mexican- they seem to be coming into fashion but I have never had a problem where I would try it- usually using a drop works or a kinder bit. |
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Post by gingernut on Oct 17, 2008 20:11:23 GMT
We used to have her in just a cavasson but wasn't enough. I took her down to a local beach and she was crossing her jaw when we had a good gallop and I needed to stop (i could see her doing it) as I have said I have had a drop on her and it wasn't enough. She is only in a hanging snaffle now - we put her in that as the loose ring french link wasn't strong enough as she needs the slight poll pressure without going too strong. Wouldn't having a wider noseband spread the pressure over a wider area and cause less discomfort than a thiner one?
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Post by brigadier on Oct 18, 2008 11:18:53 GMT
Hi Pearly
It could but there are so many different aspects that could be causing her problems its hard to give a definitive answer. the only cavesson I would use would be a very loose one!
In the picture where she crossed her jaw (and only very slightly it has to be said) your rein position appears quite high, so it could be she is resisting the pressure from the bit on the corners of the mouth (your picture isnt downloading fully for me now as I type so I cant quite see what bit is in here).
I appreciate that you are trying to go softer with the bit in general use but want a bit of control for the faster work and it may be the mexican does the job. You are right about flashes. I would never ever use a kimblewick (their action is terribly indistinct) and would never use a drop with any type of bit that puts poll pressure on so for me the options are limited- but the final answer is whatever the horse goes best in with you riding it- so good luck with finding the solution!
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It's much easier to use a drop noseband incorrectly, and you can cause massive amounts of damage. I would think a Grackle would be a safer option.
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