Please note this is just the noseband not the whole bridle as pictured
There has been much publicity and some unpleasant photos in the media showing tightly fitted nosebands and the discomfort to the horse that these cause. Horses are only able to breathe through their nose so it is essential that there is as little interference with the nostrils or cheek bones as possible. The hinge noseband is designed to be very difficult to overtighten either accidentally or deliberately. The horse needs to be able to chew to be relaxed if they can’t do this for any reason the neck and back of the horse become fixed and automatically the hind legs are affected.
While it should be possible to ride a horse that has accepted the bit and understands how this acts without a nose band. It is widely accepted that a noseband helps to prevent the young horse from ‘yawping’ or opening the mouth so wide that it changes the action of the bit. The important balance is to allow enough movement of the jaw that the horse can turn – when the jaws slide over each other and move the jaw to release the tension in the powerful jaw muscles by chewing. In most dressage competition, a nose band is required and most people consider the appearance of the horse is enhanced by having one.
The Gentle bridle has a shaped noseband that narrows above the bit for reduced facial contact and below to allow more space for the bit rings. There is also in the range an option to have a stabilising flash strap that goes below the bit, this is removable for those who want choice. As with all other fittings on the bridle this is adjustable on both sides for stability and has a padded piece for the chin groove. The ruling for competition tightness of the noseband is that there must be one or two fingers width between the strap and the horse. A good way to test the tightness of the noseband from the point of view of the horses comfort is described by French Olympic dressage rider Catherine Henriquet, “your horse should still be able to eat a treat”
