Drop Nosebands & Cross Nosebands

What is the effect of the hannover bridle?

The difference to the classic nosebands, such as the cavessons and flash nosebands, is that the noseband and flash strap of the drop noseband merge into one. This is then buckled in front of the bit. A drop noseband is particularly suitable for horses that are sensitive or have a long mouth, which means they have a lot of space in front of the bit. Conversely, this style is less suitable for horses with a short mouth. The position of the strap prevents the mouth from being opened wide or the lower jaw from shifting. This makes drop nosebands suitable for horses that are reluctant to be reined from the side.
A drop noseband acts directly on the mouth, chin groove and nose bone, causing the horse to bend in the neck more quickly. This tends to make the noseband harsher. To prevent damage to the bridge of the nose, it is imperative that it is buckled correctly.

How is the hannover bridle correctly buckled?

A drop noseband is correctly buckled when the noseband is buckled in front of the bit and comes to rest about four fingers' width above the nostrils. Under no circumstances should it be too low, otherwise the fine, cartilaginous nose bone can ossify due to the pressure and cause the horse pain. In the worst case, it can even break. In addition, if the strap is too low, it constricts the airway.
Otherwise, the two-finger rule also applies when buckling this noseband, i.e. there must be room for two placed fingers between the strap and the bridge of the nose.

What is the effect of the grackle bridle?

The grackle bridle has a slightly different structure than a classic noseband. The noseband and flash strap cross over the bridge of the nose and are flexibly connected to each other by means of a rosette. The cross point is usually softly padded, for example with sheepskin or teddy fleece. Some styles do without annoying side rings. At Kramer Equestrian you will only find styles without side rings in order to be able to offer the horse the highest possible wearing comfort.
Due to the crossed straps on the bridge of the nose, a grackle noseband acts on several points distributed on the horse's head. The main point of action, however, is the rosette in the middle of the bridge of the nose. Riders of energetic horses in particular benefit from this noseband design, as the commands have a more punctual and targeted effect. This is, after all, where the danger lies that you can do a lot of damage with harsh hands. Therefore, make sure that the noseband is the correct size and that the straps do not press on facial nerves or the cheekbones, push the bit into the corners of the mouth or pinch skin folds.

Why is the grackle noseband often used in showjumping and eventing?

Due to the buckling, the grackle noseband offers a lot of space for the nostrils. This has a particularly positive effect in endurance disciplines in which the horse is ridden predominantly in canter or gallop. In showjumping and eventing, the horse needs free breathing and plenty of oxygen - the grackle noseband allows the horse the breathing freedom it needs for showjumping and eventing.