Do you use a loosering without a drop or flash?

[pintopiaffe]

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, we used to use a drop (figure eight, flash) whenever we used a loosering. Eggbutts sometimes. Fullcheeks less often (they have keepers) but a Fulmer, always (even with keepers.)

Hunters, in French Cavessons, went in dees & fullcheeks with keepers, pelhams or kimberwickes. Rarely you saw an eggbutt, (more commonly one of the dees with the flat, rounder rings) and hardly ever a loosering.

Just wondering if the 'theory' has changed? Or was it just fashion? ;)

What about for a sleeve loosering?

[Ambrey]

Always a flash with a snaffle (I don't have a drop).

How's the new bit?

[Elisha]

I was taught that a flash was not necessary if your horse is truly accepting the bit. That being said, I never use a flash with any bit.

[oharabear]

I was taught that a flash was not necessary if your horse is truly accepting the bit. That being said, I never use a flash with any bit.

Ditto

[Surviving the Dramas]

Depends on the horse. One of mine likes to have a flash, and is far more accepting, the other throws his head around like a loon if I put one on him. I much prefer not needing a flash as I do a lot of straight "showing" (not sure of the US equivalent) and a flash is generally less attractive in the show ring.

Also flashless is good for when you proceed to a double, as horses (as well as riders) can sometimes get to rely on flashes - which is never a good thing. I see no point in putting a flash on from day one, as the young horses need to learn to feel the bit move fully and freely in their mouth in order to accept it more readily IME.

[EqTrainer]

I really dislike loose rings in general and find that most horses do, too, if given another option...

BUT the ones who go in them (two right now, interesting that they both have fleshy lips and big, big wide/deep mouths!) are sans flash. I only use a flash as a corrective, it is never the norm here. Neither of these horses have ever indicated the need for one.

Have you read "The Turning Point"? I think the explanation for why flashes became normal equipment is in there :lol: one person did it.. they were seen by 12 more.. who were seen by 24 more... and now here we are!

[shamrocker]

I have a five year old mare that we recently purchased. She is going happily in a KK eggbutt snaffle and a bridle without the flash. If she needs the flash down the road, we'll probably use it then, but not terribly tight. I am not a fan of tack especially bridle parts that are really tight. I like to see a horse happy in their bit and bridle.

[lizathenag]

I don't use any noseband at all (one more piece of tack to clean). If I ride in a clinic or lesson, I use a cavesson.

Back when the earth was cooling, I once rode a horse with two nosebands, the drop and a cavesson to attach the standing martingale (it was a polo pony I was galloping--actually I rode one and ponied two but I digress).

anyway, the flash was invented so you only needed one. I find I don't need any.

I figure if my horse is opening his mouth, there is an underlying reason that I need to address and that is a stress relief I can live with until it resolves.

[webmistress32]

I use a loose ring and a cavesson with no flash. works great.

[CatOnLap]

been riding for 40 years and never saw a flash noseband until about 15 years ago. Then suddenylt you couldn't find a bridle without one- most annoying. Have always ridden in an eggbutt or loosering snaffle, or the double.

[pintopiaffe]

Thanks for the opinions. I understood the 'theory,' but it never made sense to me; You added the drop or flash for 'stability.' Well, if the horse wants a more stable feeling, why not go to a bit that naturally hangs with less movement and more stability?

I ride the one in just a loose french. Another gets a drop, because he's a baby-baby and likes to randomly yawn as big as he can--contact regardless. He can still *yawn* in the drop, just not so big my head would fit in there. ;)

Teacher, or more accurately, teacher's head rider, wanted the cavesson tightened last lesson. (I ride with none in the winter--one less buckle to un-glove for!) They don't do them stupid-tight, but wanted it somewhat snug--not something I usually do. Now that we're trying the sleeve loosering, I wondered if there's still that expectation of a flash or drop. Still using none at the moment. I wanted to feel and see what he thinks of it without restriction.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

I was taught that a flash was not necessary if your horse is truly accepting the bit. That being said, I never use a flash with any bit.

ditto. We ride around in a bridle that has the little nub for the flash, which we never use.

In fact, I think a flash would be counterproductive. I want to feel my horse chew the bit, and lick, and relax. If he's resistant, I need to know that as well, because it's very likely in response to something I'm doing.