You want to position your grackle high with the rings sitting above the cheek bone and below. When it's sitting above the cheek bone it's generally known as the "American grackle".
a grackle / or a Mexican noseband =] x
A Grackle noseband (often called a "figure-8 noseband") is meant to keep the horse from crossing his jaw, and opening his mouth. It is often used in fast-paced equestrian sports, such as: * Show Jumping * Cross Country * Racing All of the sports listed above are fast-paced (as I mentioned before), so the Grackle, or Figure-8 Noseband, is supposed to also leave their nostrils clear, so that they can breathe much easier. People sometimes prefer Flash Nosebands, but many say that it is too hard to breathe through, because the Flash often presses on the horse's nostrils, making it difficult to breathe. Some people say that a Grackle, or Figure-8, is a harsh noseband, but it is actually much better than a Flash. The Grackle is not a harsh noseband in reality, so long as it is fitted properly. Properly fitted Grackle/Figure-8 noseband: http://www.netequestrian.com/products/images/VSPBF8O.jpg Properly fitted Flash noseband: http://www.ridgemountsaddlery.com/images/PadFlashBridlePanache.jpg
The Grackle and Mexican noseband are the same thing, they both fall under the heading of Figure-8 nosebands. The difference is in how they are fitted. The basic or 'American or Mexican' Grackle is positioned so that the cheek rings sit high above the cheek bones. While a basic 'English' grackle typically has no rings and sits just below the cheeks. Both work the same way to prevent the horse from crossing it's jaw and getting strong.
Yes, it is legal to use a grackle noseband (also known as a figure eight) in dressage. However, it is more common to see flash nosebands.
A grackle bird may be found splashing around in a grackle pond. Grackle birds are very homely, and mostly stay around their home pond. Find a local grackle bird pond, and most likely, one will also find a grackle bird.
No, the noseband came first. The bit was used by a select few shortly after the noseband, then became more popular when it was discovered to be more effective, but the noseband definitely came first.
Red-bellied Grackle was created in 1847.
Slender-billed Grackle was created in 1827.
Velvet-fronted Grackle was created in 1824.
The noseband is a part of the bridle. It's the part that goes on the top of the horses muzzle.
The noseband of the bridle is the circular strap of leather that goes over the nose, just below the cheek bones. The noseband is used to help guide the horse and hold the bridle in place.
If your noseband already has the leather keeper attatched, this is where you attach the flash. If there is not a keeper on the noseband and the flash didn't come with one you can pick one up at your local tack store.