Lunging Cavessons That Don't Suck

[Foxtail]

I had sworn off of using cavessons. I’d even dispersed my small collection of the things. But now that there’s a horse in my life that’s going to need a lot of strengthening on the ground before we can really start playing around under saddle, I think I’m back in the market for one again.

And by one, I do mean one. Not a small armada of cheap cavessons that sort of get the job done, depending on the job, but one single good one. The Holy Grail of cavessons. Nice leather, function design, the works. Surely one must exist, I just need help finding it!

[scruffy_the_cat]

I have one. It’s a Wels-type cavesson from Hastilow. http://www.hastilowusa.com/lungeing-equipment/lungeing-cavesson.html It’s just like the one the SRS uses. Gorgeous leather. Fits the horse great. Give Hastilow a call in case they are coming back into stock. It’s worth it.

[khall]

http://baroquehorseshop.com/bhscavessons.html
I have ones similar to these, one each with solid nose piece and jointed nose piece. A friend has the jointed nose piece one from this source and it is nice leather and holding up well.
I actually ordered my jointed one from DP Saddlery. Nice caveson but pricier than the baroquehorseshop one.

I would not know what to do without my cavesons!

[fitzwilliam]

Here are some cavessons from Great Britain where they have more options for solid nose piece.

www.balanceinternational.com/CAV-The-BALANCE-Magic-Lunge-Cavesson_A20F59.aspx
we have one of these at our barn and it is beautiful leather and very effective in controlling your horse, however it is expensive around $300 US right now and the exchange rate is much improved

http://qcvsaddlery.com/en/cavessons/18-vienna-cavesson-alta-escola-111.html

www.gibsonsaddlers.com/product/gibson-plate-cavesson-gold-range-202n/

www.4horse.co.uk/product.php?code=CA01

If you have time to learn how to use them properly “cowboy” ropes work very well and are inexpensive
www.amazon.com/40-Ft-Rodeo-Rope-Lasso/dp/B00FN2ISVS

Good luck whichever you choose

[LarkspurCO]

Not sure if you need the chain or metal noseband. I don’t need or want that myself. I just need something to put over the bridle, and my canvas one is worn out. I have had my eye on this one for awhile:

http://qcvsaddlery.com/en/cavessons/21-lunging-cavesson-with-leather-nosepiece-111.html

@fitzwilliam

www.gibsonsaddlers.com/product/gibson-plate-cavesson-gold-range-202n/

But fitzwilliam’s link to Gibson Saddlers led me to this less expensive option - I like!

https://www.gibsonsaddlers.com/product/gibson-plain-cavesson-gold-range-201n/

A similar one, though I don’t know about the leather quality:

https://www.equestriancollections.com/horse-equipment/horse-training-aids-equipment/lunge-equipment/camelot-padded-lunging-bridle

This one has a wire, but looks well padded, and is inexpensive:

https://www.barefootsaddlesusa.com/Barefoot_Shape_It_Cavessons_p/shape-it-cavesson.htm

[merrygoround]

I have one of the original Wels cavesson. It is 50+ years old, shows wear but the leather is still solid, and it still works as it should. Identical ones are still sold, they run around $300, and are worth every penny. Dover did, a few years ago sell them, along with other bridlewear identical to that used at the SRS. They may be able to tell you where they acquired them.

Among the above listed, the Gibson, and the Vienna look quite similar , as does the Hastilow. The deciding point is the quality of the leather and stitching.

[Marla_100]

I shopped for over 2 yrs. for a knockoff of the Wels/SRS cavesson and finally found it new on Ebay from Irish Saddlery.
They used to keep them in stock but I believe the co. has been sold. Not sure if they still make them but they are the
perfect cavesson. Quality, sturdy leather, three jaw straps properly placed, no risk to eyes from movement, and get this- it was like $89. plus $12. shipping from Ireland. This was about 3 or 4 yrs. ago.
None of the ones linked about match the design and quality of the one I found from Irish Saddlery.

[capricorn]

Has anyone used the Micklem multibridle as a caveson? I like the look of it because it is non bulky and I was thinking of getting one. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rambo-micklem-multibridle-10930

[merrygoround]

@capricorn

Has anyone used the Micklem multibridle as a caveson? I like the look of it because it is non bulky and I was thinking of getting one. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/rambo-micklem-multibridle-10930

In general, bridles, are not suitable as cavessons. They work with the longe line going through one bit ring, over the head to the other bit ring, because there is little stress on the leather, hardware, and stitching except to keep the bit in place. Not much stress.

[capricorn]

What is appealing to me about the Micklem bridle is that it has a ring in the middle of the cavesson so that the lunge line can be attached there. It is also supposed to come with attachments so that it can be used as a cavesson alone or as a bitless bridle. They are supposed to be really comfortable for the horse.

[NoSuchPerson]

@capricorn

Has anyone used the Micklem multibridle as a caveson?

Yes. It works perfectly well for light lunging, e.g. the mule hasn’t been ridden in a while and I want to test the waters before I get on. And no, the lunge line does not have to be run through the bit. It just snaps onto the ring in the center of the noseband. You don’t even have to have the bit on the bridle. I much prefer that to using a regular bridle and connecting the lunge line as merrygoround described.

However, I certainly wouldn’t go buy a Micklem just to use it as a lunge cavesson and I wouldn’t use it if you plan to do a lot of lunge work, esp. for starting/training young equines. For those uses, I would go with a heavier, more traditional lunge cavesson.

Edited to add that I’ve found the attachments to use the bridle as a bitless bridle to be pretty worthless. If you live in the US you can’t even get the attachments for one of the arrangements because it’s been judged a patent infringement on the Dr. Cook’s bridle. The other two arrangements will probably work fine on a well-trained horse that is responsive to pressure, but not on a pig-headed mule.

[Heinz_57]

I would choose this one: http://www.dressageextensions.com/wembley-leather-caveson/p/22322/

for the fact that the bit hanger is integrated (and can be added or removed without taking off the cavesson). While you can put a cavesson over a complete bridle instead of using a proper bit hanger, it’s less than ideal.

[merrygoround]

When using a Wels type cavesson, the chin strap goes under the bit as in a dropped noseband. Then when there is an ‘arret’ on the line ( a mild vibration) the thought is that it moves the bit as would a rider’s hand, while a sharp snap on the cavesson again acts as a sharp snap on the bit. This accompanied by the handlers voice commands prepares the horse for under-saddle work.

Yes it takes a feeling hand and arm! Well worth developing. You will need it in the saddle.

[vineyridge]

Question: Many years ago, good lunge cavessons all came with a strap that connected the center of the browband and the center of the noseband. It was supposed keep the cavesson centered and in place instead of letting it slip to the side.

Are those still made? And if not, why not?

[Ubu_Goober]

@Foxtail What cavesson did you end up with?
Has anyone used either the Anja Beran cavesson by Kieffer or the Kieffer Exquisite Perfect cavesson (designed in conjunction with the Portuguese Association of the Lusitano Horse). Kieffer also still makes a cavesson with the center face strap. It actually goes from the crown piece to the browband and then to the nosepiece.

[sascha]

@Ubu&Goober

@Foxtail What cavesson did you end up with?
Has anyone used either the Anja Beran cavesson by Kieffer or the Kieffer Exquisite Perfect cavesson (designed in conjunction with the Portuguese Association of the Lusitano Horse). Kieffer also still makes a cavesson with the center face strap. It actually goes from the crown piece to the browband and then to the nosepiece.

I bought the Kieffer Perfect and it is fantabulous. My “would you like me to demonstrate runaway freight train” mare has great respect for it. She might have even stomped her little foot like the little diva she is when she realized we weren’t playing silly buggers any more

https://www.eaglewoodequestrian.ca/product/kieffer-perfect-lunging-cavesson/

[sascha]

Here’s a link to my recent(ish) thread. I went with the Kieffer Perfect and am really liking it.

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/dressage/10512087-longeing-cavessons-what-have-you-got-and-how-do-you-like-it

[sascha]

Last try. My replies keep getting banned, maybe for including links? I bought the Kieffer Perfect a few months ago and it’s great. Plenty of control but it’s comfortable for Madam to wear.

I had a cavesson with the centre strap and I liked it fine except the nose was far, far too padded to be of any use at all with a small locomotive.