HACKAMORE
Jochen Schleese, German Certified Master
60 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
Saddler and Saddle
Ergonomist, teaches saddle fit principles to
protect horse and rider from long-term damage
caused by ill-fiing saddles.
www.saddlefit4life.com
702-370-1199
info@saddlefit4life.com
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This bitless option puts pressure
on the nose through
a lever action at the sides
of the noseband. Although
probably effective for a
while, the horse soon gets
accustomed to the pressure
on the nose and becomes
less responsive over time.
It’s a good alternative for
interim use if a horse has an
injury in the mouth, but there
is almost no substitute for the
necessary additional aid of
an outside rein in the higher
classes.
MICKLEM
Bridle
This option has an
extra strap attaching
the bit to the
bridle. It is extremely
comfortable for the
horse, and supports
the ‘chewing’
motion.
I found this excellent checklist regarding the use of nosebands for
you to consider:
• Educate yourself on the nerves, functions, and anatomy of the
horse’s head.
• How sensitive is your horse? Highly sensitive horses do best with
no nosebands or loose ones.
• Determine the best type to fit your horse’s nose shape and
head conformation.
• Your horse still needs to have full physiological movement:
yawn, swallow and lick its lips.
• Use padding judiciously – most bridles are already made to
provide full comfort and extra padding can increase the pres-
sure.
• LISTEN to your horse. Tension creates tension; restriction creates
restriction.
HANOVERIAN or
DROP-NOSEBAND Bridle
The noseband lies about 4 fingers above the nostrils past
the bit. This style used to be much more popular, but it is
not a pretty looking bridle. It relays the pressure from the
reins directly from the lower jaw onto the nose. It does
prevent horses from putting their tongues over the bit.
Some riders still prefer to use this as it has less leather and
buckles, which lowers the risk of impacting sensitive nerves
and acupuncture points.
MEXICAN, GRACKLE or
FIGURE 8 Bridle
Loose snaffle rings and the ability to breathe without hindrance
are two of the main attractions of this bridle. It is easily recognizable,
having crossing leather straps over the nose with a leather
rosette in the centre. The upper piece crosses the zygomatic arch.
The only pressure point is in the centre from the rosette piece. It
has only recently been allowed for use in dressage rings. The only
danger is if it is buckled too tightly and thus pushes the bit up into
the corners of the lips.
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