Worcester Noseband

[katiee]

Pippa is currently ridden in a flash noseband with a running martingale and I've been considering trying her in a Worcester noiseband as she can get very strong and worked up. Schooling wise when she's cantering and jumping she gets very strong and after cantering she also becomes very strong and tanky in the trot. She's also very strong when out hacking.

I've been spending a lot of time out hacking just walking to try and encourage her to relax and not rush, as she is generally fine in walk but very strong and tanky in trot or canter. Schooling wise, I try to vary what I'm asking her to stop her from getting bored and so getting the chance to take a hold and get strong. I only canter when she's reasonably relaxed relaxed in the trot and after we've been cantering I try to spend a lot of time in walk or trot re-relaxing her and stopping her from getting tanky.

A friend has reccomended trying Pippa in a worcester noseband, but to be honest I know very little about it! I found http://www.magnolife.com/Magnolife_Catalogue_Nosebands__Training_Aids__etc_22.html this link after searching on the internet, but wanted other's opinions.

Katie X

[Zingy]

I got one for Yog, though I've never actually used it yet! I bought it with a similar idea to you - I wanted something that would act as extra brakes if I needed them, but am very limited to what bits I can use - anything with poll pressure he'll go over backwards in. I liked the worcester as it would only work when needed, but I was working on it as better for him than a flash in that way, which he backs off constantly. So I'm not convinced that if your horse goes through a flash that the worcester is the answer.

From what I read when I got it, it isn't recommended as additional brakes for strong horses, but I think it depends how your horse reacts to nose pressure. My second option was a kineton noseband, which appears to be stronger (though I don't know if that's just me).

Downside of the worcester is that the proportions do look wrong to be honest. I tried it on once and I wasn't convinced that I could get the side straps to go short enough to be useful, so I think a trip to a saddler could well be in order to make it useable. This is despite the fact that the size of the noseband part is ok.

You'll probably find that long term it's the schooling that's going to pay off, but short term you could always try switching bits (eg try a pelham/ double jointed snaffle etc), just something with a different action rather than necessarily stronger. Might also be work the standard back/ saddle/ teeth check just to make sure she's not running away from anything. :)

[katiee]

I don't think I made myself very clear (my fault not yours!) in the fact that I am doing a lot of schooling both in the school itself and when out hacking - making her more balanced, responsive and basically better schooled and so a nicer ride!

At the moment she's ridden in a 3 ring snaffle, but the long term goal is to ride her in a softer bit .. but as you said, short term I need something a bit stronger to help with the schooling.

I'll most likely give it a go as my instructor has one I can borrow for a while to see if Pippa likes it.