Flash or drop?

[miggy]

I currently use a flash, we do need it-I have tried without but it really makes a difference. Thing is Im having a bridle made to measure and am tossing up wheter to have it made up with a drop instead of a flash.
My reasoning is that if you need a flash a drop is probably more effective and better for the horse (given that it would be fitted correctly) and less faffing about with buckles and neater look.
Dont really want to buy a drop and try it first though as would be waste of money.
Anyone gone from a flash to a drop and have any thoughts?

I believe a drop works in the same way as a flash, so probably better to go for the drop!

Do you know anyone that has one you could maybe borrow and try?

[carthorse]

A drop is more effective but you have to be very careful with the fitting, it must be high enough not to interfere with the breathing & wide enough that the sides of the noseband don't come too close to the eyes.

I know it shouldn't be an issue but I find a flash is often more flattering than a drop, I feel the drop makes the head look longer

I think it depends on the breed of horse, what kind of things you want to do etc.

The horses I ride all have drop nosebands, I think it suits them and it suits the breed completley. But part of that is because we use seperate nosebands and head pieces.

Also for htings like dressage I often think a flash looks better.

[Iron Maiden]

If you are sure you need something to keep the mouth from opening you should go for a drop IMO. To be effective a flash has to be quite tight, which means the cavesson it's attached to must be really tight or the flash will just pull down onto a narrower part of the face & slacken, if it slips down far enough it will interfere with the horse's breathing. If thecavesson is tight enough to stop that happening it can squish the horse's cheeks onto the molars & if they are at all rough that will be v uncomfortable for the horse. A drop won't do this, it only acts where it is needed. Flashes may be more aesthetically pleasing to us, but a noseband that has a job to do shouldn't be a fashion accessory IMO. Sorry if I sound pompous but this is a bit of a hobby horse of mine - I used to ride my old horse in a flash & it never solved anything, now I think I understand why. He also had a dint in his face with a bald patch where the cavesson had been done up tight. Poor lad!

[miggy]

ironmaiden-that was sort of my reasoning.
Do need the flash, she came with one and I used it for a while but have never used one before so after a while I thought-well lets ditch it, so I did and she has gradually been getting stronger which I put down to getting fitter or wrong food the suddenly had a brain wave that might be a good idea to put the flash back on! and as if by magic-back to normal
We do lots of schooling and I use a french link snaffle but madame likes her jumping and would rather stick with the same bit and use a drop/flash
Borrowing one is a good idea-not many around though as Flash is more fashionable!

[Iron Maiden]

I bought a full bridle + drop from Decathlon for less than £10 It scrubbed up well, I even used it for showing

[miggy]

Well THANK YOU for putting me on to that fab shop, Ill have to go to lakeside now and might accidentally spend more money
£6.73 for a bridle! even if I just use it to try its a great deal!

[HelenW999]

I like the Crank style flashes, more expensive... but really nice to work with!

this is mine on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MESE:IT

thats the english one, so its more expensive

OR I think I know the "cheap" ones your talking about but this is a flash
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...e=STRK:MESE:IT

[HelenW999]

Originally Posted by miggy

ironmaiden-that was sort of my reasoning.
Do need the flash, she came with one and I used it for a while but have never used one before so after a while I thought-well lets ditch it, so I did and she has gradually been getting stronger which I put down to getting fitter or wrong food the suddenly had a brain wave that might be a good idea to put the flash back on! and as if by magic-back to normal
We do lots of schooling and I use a french link snaffle but madame likes her jumping and would rather stick with the same bit and use a drop/flash
Borrowing one is a good idea-not many around though as Flash is more fashionable!

I agree the the fashionable bit!!! they used to be EVEY where!! but I have got one or two lurking in the shop, ... what size and colour are you after, I might have a cheap one?

[jumpjaky]

I drop worked wonders for me, but my pony crosses his jaw so we put a grackle on him and its fab!!!
I would try it out see if friends have some stuff you can try, just experiment!