Sometimes we might think that a horse “likes a flash” but often a horse can do just fine without one and “like it” if we change the bit or analyze our riding.
There are some bits that offer more tongue relief, more bar relief, or stability. I had a horse that valued stability and preferred a fixed ring over a loose ring. I could absolutely see someone thinking that he’d prefer a flash or drop, but I rode him without a noseband for awhile (due to something healing on his face where the noseband would be) just fine. The key, for him, was switching to a single jointed, fixed ring, titanium bit.
Sometimes I think the statement of, “a flash offers stability for the bit” is a weak argument and potentially covering up for training, bit, or contact acceptance issues.
Please note that I am using the words sometimes and potentially, so if this doesn’t apply to you (general you) then I am not talking about you
I just don’t feel all that great about my horse needing a tight piece of leather around their nose to offer “support” I just feel like it’s a bandaid of sorts in many cases. It’s like, yeah, your horse’s mouth will be more quiet, still, or closed because it has to be. There’s literally a strap keeping it shut. So do they like it or is it just preventing them from objecting?
It’s just what we, as good horse(wo)men have to think about these things.