rabbitsfizz
Well-Known Member
On a riding bridle the cavesson is either totally for show or occasionally (not so much nowadays) for attaching a standing martingale to.
On a driving bridle it is supposed to prevent the blinkers form gaping and allowing the horse to see the cart behind it, which can be very scary for a horse that is either not used to driving in an open bridle or at least not used to seeing the cart when it has blinkers on!
I am at a loss to know how the cavesson on some American harness, which is on a separate headpiece, can do anything at all!
On our harnesses, all, even fine harness, the noseband is part of the cheekpiece, and should be adjusted to allow at least one, I allow toe, fingers between the noseband and the horse.
On no account should a cavesson be used to attempt to keep a horses mouth shut- if this is really necessary- and it sometimes is, especially on CDE horses and teams, then a separate, drop, or even Kineton, noseband should be used.
On a driving bridle it is supposed to prevent the blinkers form gaping and allowing the horse to see the cart behind it, which can be very scary for a horse that is either not used to driving in an open bridle or at least not used to seeing the cart when it has blinkers on!
I am at a loss to know how the cavesson on some American harness, which is on a separate headpiece, can do anything at all!
On our harnesses, all, even fine harness, the noseband is part of the cheekpiece, and should be adjusted to allow at least one, I allow toe, fingers between the noseband and the horse.
On no account should a cavesson be used to attempt to keep a horses mouth shut- if this is really necessary- and it sometimes is, especially on CDE horses and teams, then a separate, drop, or even Kineton, noseband should be used.
