Karen Tappenden
Nosebands...
To Use or Not to Use For most horses, using restrictive devices on their faces is insulting and unnecessary for effective communication
of tack is probably the number one reason horses develop problems. What may start as resistance often turns into physical unsoundness in what I call “compensation syndrome.” Instead of trying to find out why the horse is being disobedient, tighter nosebands – along with other devices such as draw reins and more severe bits – are often used in hopes of correcting the behavior.
Some of the most common reasons I hear from people using tight nosebands are, in fact, just making the situation worse. A horse who already pulls or opens its mouth is telling you it has a problem; it is the rider’s job to fix the problem, not to clamp the horse’s mouth closed tighter. A horse who grinds its teeth usually has some form of pain in its body, while the horse who leans on the bit is often trying to compensate for bad riding or poor balance. The number one reason horses do not want to go forward is because their nosebands are too tight. Too many times I have been asked to help a rider get her horse in the ring, only to make the simplest of adjustments by loosening the noseband and watching a relieved horse walk eagerly forward into the arena.
If all equestrians could take an equine biology/ecology course to understand the basic neurobiology of how the horse processes sensory information and muscle engagement, most would question why they are using bits and nosebands instead of hindbrain triggers for training.
by Mary Ann Simonds S
earching for control, obedience, and connection? These words are used to describe the ultimate
training goal for many equestrians. But what if you are looking for cooperation, communication and a comfortable 22 |
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horse? Would you use the same equipment in training?
As a behavior consultant for over 30 years, I have evaluated thousands of horses and come to the conclusion that bad fitting and/or the misuse
Nosebands are generally designed to limit the horse from opening its mouth and giving the rider more sensitive control over the bit. Fitted correctly, nosebands do just that; but fitted improperly, they can cause pain, limit breathing, and affect structure and movement through the horse’s body.
WHY USE A NOSEBAND? Before using any kind of noseband, ask yourself (and your horse) why. Would you start off a friendship with a smile and handshake or by taping the person’s lips closed and handcuffing them? If you want to start off a friendly
Holistic Horse™ • April/May 2012 • Vol.19, Issue 78
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