There are several types of nosebands designed to prevent bit evasion. The two most common ones are a Flash attachment and the figure eight nosebands. But drop nosebands can also help prevent bit evasion.
A cavesson noseband is a type of noseband used in horse tack. It encircles the nose of the horse and is commonly used in dressage and other English disciplines to help keep the horse's mouth closed and prevent excessive movement of the jaw. It is commonly seen as a simple, flat leather strap that fastens with a buckle under the horse's chin.
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
Plain or French cavesson: a noseband that encircles the nose 1-2 inches below the cheekbone. This type of noseband is seen in most English disciplines, especially in dressage, show hunters, Saddle seat, equitation and field hunters, but is the basic noseband for all disciplines and so is never an unusual sight. This noseband comes in various styles from a plain flat leather suitable for hunting, to raised, double raised, fancy stiched and padded styles. All of them perform the same purpose.Flash noseband or Aachen noseband: The flash was originally developed for show jumping riders, so they could close the mouth lower down in addition to having an appropriate noseband for a standing martingale. An additional feature of this noseband is that it holds the bit steady in the horse's mouth, which some horses prefer. The noseband is similar to the plain cavesson in that the top part encircles the nose 1-2 inches below the cheekbone, but it also includes a second strap that runs from the cavesson, around the nose in front of the bit and under the chin groove, then coming back around to the cavesson. This second piece is used to help keep the horse's mouth closed and to keep the horse from crossing his jaw. A flash noseband may be used with a standing martingale when the martingale is attached to the cavesson piece. This noseband is usually seen at the lower levels of dressage, or in the dressage phase of eventing.Crank noseband or Swedish Cavesson: used most often on dressage horses at levels where a double bridle is worn, this noseband is similar to the plain cavesson except it is designed to be easy to get very tight, so as to keep the horse's mouth closed. Double bridles cannot use flash or drop cavessons, so the crank is seen on upper level dressage horses who will not keep the mouth shut. It is also used occasionally on show hunters and hunt seat equitation horses. The down side is the horse can't open his jaw at all when the crank is tight, so he cannot relax the jaw and properly move into the bit. Additionally, it can push the cheeks against the horse's teeth when over-tightened, which is painful.Hanoverian: Also called a "crank with flash" this is the same as a flash noseband, but with the addition of a padded jawband like a crank noseband has. It operates to hold the horse's mouth shut and hold the bit steady in the horses' mouth. It is very commonly found on dressage bridles.Figure-eight: Also called a crossed, Grackle or Mexican noseband, this noseband crosses from the top of the ckeekbone on one side, over the nose to the chin groove on the other side, under the horse's chin, and back up to the opposite cheekbone. It is used to remind the horse to keep its mouth closed and prevents him from crossing his jaw, and its design provides more expansion of the nostrils, which is preferable for horses performing work involving galloping (eventing, polo, racing), and has always been popular in show jumping. Many people believe that this type of noseband is more comfortable than a flash.Drop noseband: Invented by the Spanish Riding School, this noseband encircles the nose around the chin groove, as opposed to just below the cheekbone, with the strap on the nasal bone, and never below it. It reminds the horse to keep his mouth closed and prevents the horse from crossing his jaw. Due to its position, it should not be used with a standing martingale. A drop noseband is not as suitable for galloping work as the other nosebands, as it tends to restrict the nostrils if it is fitted incorrectly. Although the drop used to be very popular in dressage, it is very rarely seen today, partly because many riders dislike the look it gives the horse's head. However, most horses prefer the drop noseband to the flash, and it is a very useful piece of equipment.Kineton or Puckle: Originating in horse racing for animals who would be uncontrollable at high speeds, this noseband often cited as being more severe than the others listed above. It works by transferring bit pressure from the rider's hand to the nose. However, it is possible that it may work not because of pain, but because the horse responds better to noseband pressure than to bit pressure (which can be painful and cause the horse to run out of fear). The kineton has metal half-rings that pass under the bit, and a leather strap that sits below the bit and over the nose (which it does not encircle) about where a drop noseband would cross. There is no strap to keep the horse's mouth closed. This noseband should only be used with a snaffle bit (which should be slightly wider than usual to take into account the half-rings), and a martingale should not be attached to the noseband. This is most commonly seen in eventing on the cross-country phase, and in show jumping. This noseband is most suited for horses that are hard pullers, allowing the rider to ride lightly with a mild bit and still stop a strong horse. It is also popular for use on hot horses, to get them to trust the bit and relax.Combination or lever noseband: this noseband has a half-moon piece of metal that goes on each side of the horse's face. On the "top" end of the curve (near the horse's cheek bone), a piece of leather is attached that runs under the jaw and attaches to the other side of the face. At the peak of the curve is a piece of leather that runs over the top of nose in a position slightly lower from where a regular cavesson would cross. At the "bottom" of the curve, a third piece of leather goes under the chin groove of the horse. This noseband is similar in design to the figure-eight, and works similarly by preventing the horse from crossing his jaws (which is especially helped by the metal on either side of the face). Unlike the figure-eight, it does not stabilize the bit and it tends to push the cheeks in against the horse's molars which can be painful.Australian cheeker noseband, "Australian noseband", or "cheeker": this noseband consistes of a Y-shaped rubber fork, which is buckled to the center of the poll strap, the forks dropping to either side of the nose, with the ends having round rubber cheek guards that fit over the bit. Used to prevent the bit being pulled through the horse's mouth, as well as to keep the bit raised in the horse's mouth. It is an effective and kind option for a puller or a horse who gets his tongue over the bit. Most commonly seen at the race track.Studded: a studded cavesson has round or sharp studs on the inside. This cavesson is most common in Iberia, especially on young horses, so as not to "spoil" their mouths, and in Austro-Hungaria. They have also been adopted in other disciplines as a means of controlling a difficult horse, or as a training shortcut, but they are generally illegal in most horse show competition. Blunt studs have a relatively mild effect. Sharp studs, like a serrated knife, are extremely painful and can cut the horse. They act with the normal action of the noseband, which applies pressure to the nose when the horse fails to submit to the bit, and increases the effect of this pressure.Serreta: One type of noseband integral to a halter or bridle, made of metal and usually with one or three rings protruding outward. The serreta sometimes is studded, and it is most commonly seen in Iberia and modern-day Hungary.Longeing cavesson (pronounced and sometimes spelled "Lungeing") is a piece of equipment used in longeing a horse, made of leather or nylon web. Though the longeing cavesson looks a bit like a halter, the noseband can be tightened and rings are strategically placed on the sides and at the front of the nose for attachment of a longe line or side reins. It provides much better leverage and more precise control of a horse in ground training, yet it is a relatively gentle piece of equipment.
Well, not as long as you actually succeed in evading arrest, but once they get you, they'll keep you.
It is used to remind the horse to keep its mouth closed and prevents him from crossing his jaw, and its design provides more expansion of the nostrils, which is preferable for horses performing work involving galloping, and has always been popular in show jumping.
When you take horse riding lessons they teach you everything you need to now to ride the horses but never teach you how to fall off. Instead the lessons are meant to keep you on the horse.
I think pull the rope back. A noseband or martingale should not be used to substitue training. You need to train the horse to be collected. Light pressure pulling back while tapping your legs against the horses sides is the cue I use. By pulling back, I look for the horse to bend at the poll, which will make him round up, and by tapping my legs on him, I am saying, keep going. Eventually, you can just tap your legs on his side to get him to collect.
There are some horses going for free, wild mustangs selling for $125, or at the other end, champion racehorses worth millions. You typical horse will be in the thousands, about $1000-$5000 depending on health, training, breeding, even color.
A figure 8 simply keeps the horses mouth closed around the bit so it cannot evade the bit. Sometimes its used simply to keep a horses tongue in its mouth when the horse likes to stick it out. (Not kidding, there are horses that prefer to keep their tongue stuck out.) A flash noseband performs the same function but some people think a figure 8 is more comfortable for the horse. You can certainly use a martingale with a figure 8. If you use a standing martingale be sure to attach it to the part of the nose band that does not go below the bit. It must attach to the upper noseband.
Blinkers, in horse racing, are meant to keep the horse's vision focused forward instead of next to them. Technically I guess you could say they stop them from shying. For regular riding I wouldn't suggest it. It would probably make your horse a little nervous in the ring.
Keep your horse and get an old car. :)
You can put a heavy blanket on a horse in the winter to help keep the horse warm and keep dirt and mud off. Also you can keep a very lightweight blanket on the horse in the summer to keep dirt,dust,and mostly flies off your horse.