The Grackle & Figure 8 Noseband

A grackle or figure-8 noseband.

The grackle or mexican noseband has become more popular among jumpers in the last decades. It has not really caught on with dressage riders, and I guess the reason for it is that it''s not legal for competition. Or is it? Nevermind. The noseband consists of a nose strap that runs across the face in a figure eight, of sorts. The point where it crosses over the nose is padded and the crossing straps are held together by running through a (usually) round leather patch. It can be adjusted under the jaw and under the chin.

Some riders claim that this kind of noseband stops their horses from crossing their jaws or hanging on the bit or getting hold of the bit with the teeth. That may be so. I have used it on a horse that would gape against the regular noseband, because of it''s firm restriction. This kind of noseband runs diagonally across the face, and is thus more flexible and giving, and doesn''t give the horse anything to gape against. It also stays away from the teeth. In the rare occasion that you meet a horse who gapes against the noseband, try this one. If not, don''t bother. It''s just a noseband...