Which would change the measurement…
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I was thinking if you bought something rubber, like a doorstop, for testing at home, not official measurement. Also, very thin felt, or even plain fabric would work to keep it from rubbing the nose without adding much.
Just guessing that the official tool is probably hard plastic that slides easily.
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That’s what I was referring to with the idea of getting a doorstop as an inexpensive alternative to the official measuring tool.
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You could probably easily 3-D print an imitation too. It wouldn’t be too difficult to map out.
I wonder if this change will impact noseband trends. Will we see more drops? How does it work for drops? Lol.
Some nosebands would have drastically different outcomes depending on fastening. I’m thinking of Figure 8 nosebands and the Tota Comfort Noseband system. Maybe this will defeat the purpose of them.
Here’s what I know about the noseband device at the moment. The device was extensively tested in all disciplines. The FEI Stewards I have talked with have noted the device was well tolerated by the horses they used the device on. Originally it was planned to implement this procedure January 1st, the start date has been pushed back to May 1 to allow for distribution and proper training. It is the intent that this would be made available to everyone, not just FEI officials (so no need to try to fabricate one or perform surgery on a rubber door stop to approximate it!) Method of distribution and cost to purchase hasn’t been determined yet. I had suggested that here in the US the devices be made available through USEF. When I know more I’ll be happy to post it on this thread. Just for reference I hold three FEI steward licenses (eventing, jumping and driving) and I am the Steward General for US Eventing.
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@Mack_the_Knife would you please put your post on the thread cross posted on the Dressage forum as well?
I’m all for loosely adjusted nosebands in dressage, and maybe even in show jumping. But galloping XC, with some of the technical “TURN NOW!” questions asked, a properly fitted figure-8 or flash should be allowed.
I say this as someone who doesn’t crank nosebands tight. I can fit a finger under my flashes at the bottom of the chin/jaw. But my finger is definitely thinner than this measurement tool. If the tool can fit under the button of a figure 8. that noseband isn’t adjusted correctly. It would be so loose that the straps would slip around, the button would move to the side, possibly even too low. A well-fitted figure 8 “cradles” the face and the horse should be able to comfortably eat a carrot; but it’s snug enough not to shift, and to help keep the mouth from gaping wide enough to slide a bit ring through.
When I galloped racehorses out in the open, most of them went in an “open” bridle with no noseband. For the strong ones (who may also have lacked steering), I always went to a figure-8 noseband before trying a bigger bit. A snug fitting figure-8 gave me much better control and kept me safer. I want that option available on xc, when galloping horses get strong (and tired) and the right response to the bridle can mean success or failure (injury).
I’m obviously not defending the right to too-tight nosebands; they should never pinch the cheeks or indent the muzzle when buckled, or so tight that it creates poll pressure. The horse really shouldn’t notice the noseband unless it gapes wide open to the point of affecting safety/control.
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