Drop Noseband Dressage Bridle

[Willesdon]

@Goforward

I find most horses go better in a drop than in a flash. They don’t push the horse’s cheeks against his molars like the cavesson does.

A correctly fitted caveson, positioned two fingers below the cheekbones and tight enough that two fingers can easily be inserted on the front of the horse’s face will not be putting any pressure on the molars. What is being described above is a badly fitted flash, meaning a drop will probably be far more comfortable. However a drop is the hardest noseband to fit correctly and it can cause a lot of discomfort, even damage, like any ill-fitted tack. Read, look, see, try, learn before spending money on something because “it looks better”.

[beowulf]

@sheltona01

The drop does affect the horse different than a flash. The pressure distribution is different. A lot of young horses really like them. I am also a bridle fitter and have been trained.

Yes, hence using the word ‘similar’ rather than ‘identical’. :yes:

Both exist to prevent the same things: preventing the tongue from going over the bit, preventing the jaw from crossing, and preventing evasion of the bit. The flash is the cavesson’s solution to a drop without sacrificing the noseband.

A horse that dislikes pressure in the area a flash is in, typically won’t like a drop any better because of that… And if you’re saying you hate flashes but drops are fine, it sounds more like one doesn’t understand the reason for the drop or the flash in the first place. If you don’t need it, why use it?

Don’t be fooled into thinking the horse likes the drop better because they’re more submissive to the contact. In my time using them I’ve seen many horses don’t like pressure across that part of their nose, and their “going better” in the bridle is really them being extremely careful of protecting their nose from any pressure. Drops do cause pressure across the sensitive tissue on their face - they are not a solution to a pressure-free bridle. Something to think about.

I’ve used drops and they’re a good thing to have in your toolbox if you can find one that will actually fit your horse – but the only time I have seen horses truly prefer the drop to a standard cavesson & flash is when the owner/rider/trainer is in the habit of cranking the noseband too tight.

Drops that are adjustable are difficult to find, and I see more people riding in ill-fitting drops than properly fitted ones. I’m with @Willesdon - do your homework, try to find a bridle that fits the dimensions of your horse before going for something that might not be the fix or fit you need.