Bridle Fitting Insights: Why choose a Flash Noseband

A flash noseband is a is a cavesson noseband with an additional strap which fastens around the horses mouth. They were developed for a particularly strong horse called Bold Flash, they also gained popularity with show jumpers who wanted a noseband that had the action on the mouth but also still allowed the use of a standing martingale.

The cavesson section of a flash noseband should be fitted as you would a standard cavesson. The flash strap should then be fastened around the horses mouth being sure to not interfere with the bit and the buckles and keepers are clear of the horses mouth. There should be 1-2 fingers clearance underneath the noseband measured at the nasal bone. The flash strap should never be fastened tight enough to pull the front part of the cavesson down into the horses nose.

The flash loop or attachment will connect at one or two contact points on the cavesson. Flash attachments can be fixed or removable, we always recommend using ones that fix through the noseband rather than around it as these can create ridges and lumps that can be uncomfortable for your horse.

Flash’s can come in may different forms however the action still remains the same. They will have an action on the mouth but not the jaw. Do always pay close attention to how the noseband is constructed as some designs can put an excess of pressure on sensitive parts of the horses face.

This noseband is used to help keep the horses mouth closed, they are used with young or inexperienced horses that have not yet learnt to be settled or still in the contact. They can also be used for horses that evade by opening their mouth, putting their tongue over the bit or become strong in the hand.