cavesson? or not?

[toccetTB6]

i have a lunging cavesson at my house, and i was wondering if it is a iece of equitment that i should be using when i lunge my horse?i've been around horses for several years, and have never used one, but i have heard that they're vital to lunging. can anyone help?

[IrisSilverMoon]

I almost always use a cavesson when i lunge. It gives you a lot more control than just a halter. Mostly because they tend to be heavier and you are controlling from the top of the nose and not the bottom, its easier to control the horse i think.

Its probably sort of a personal opinion thing I think, its not considered wrong to lunge without a cavesson, i wouldn't expect everyone to own one, but for me it works better...:)

if you ever use one make sure you fit it sort of like a bridle, you know the nose band goes about halfway between the jaw and the corners of the mouth. The difference with the bridle and cavesson is that on a cavesson the nose band should be tight. since they tend to have heavy buckles on them if you snap the lunge line it could really hurt...:)

[larri]

I always use one when lunging, although it hasn't been mentioned as an alternative I don't ever lunge from a bridle as I think it is too harsh.

Like IrisSilverMoon says it should always be fitted nice and snug - not only for the reasons she mentioned but also because if there is too much pressure on the lunge line (ie your horse tanks and plays!) it can cause the whole cavesson to twist round into your poor neds eyes..I only did it once:o

[Echo64]

I much prefer the usage of a longing cavesson than a halter. I find there's more control than with a halter or a bridle, and with a bridle, I'm constantly worried about yanking them in the mouth with the bit by accident.

[S_F_S]

ALso if you use a headcollar/halter whatever it will slip around and possibly rub the horses face- Caverssons with distrubute the pressure evenly and make it more comfortable for your horse- plus you get added control.