Figure Eight Bridle?

[Haley]

Could anyone explain to me what exactly constitutes the need for a figure eight bridle? I have an idea, but I've had some difficulty finding exact reasons. Is it helpful with keeping the head down?

[jilllovesgus]

Wikipedia says...
Figure-eight: Also called a crossed, Grackle or Mexican noseband, this noseband crosses from the top of the ckeekbone on one side, over the nose to the chin groove on the other side, under the horse's chin, and back up to the opposite cheekbone. It is used to remind the horse to keep its mouth closed and prevents him from crossing his jaw, but provides more expansion of the nostrils, which is preferable for horses performing work involving galloping (eventing, polo, racing), and has always been popular in show jumping. Many people believe that this type of noseband is more comfortable than a flash.

Yaahhpp. I believe that's basically it. The last time I did a course with my horse (all the jumps were 2'6"... and it was in 2005 haha) my trainer put a figure eight noseband on and he went beautifully... in our few trips before that noseband he had opened his mouth and been much harder to control, but after, he was wonderful, and didn't appear to be in any pain. In any case, he seemed to be happier and more comfortable, and I was as well.

However, I'm not one for all this fancy equipment. Give me a normal noseband and I'm good to go. However, if I were still jumping my horse, I would try a figure eight every now and then, just to switch things up for him, just as I like to alternate bits.

Hope that helped!

[Haley]

Ahh, thanks hun! That makes so much more sense. They do seem so much more comfortable than a flash, and I was a bit confused over the difference between the two. I love how they look, though. :D

[silverleprichuan]

A figure either prevent the horse from opening and crossing his jaw to avoid the bit while a flash prevents opening but not crossing.

[jilllovesgus]

Yaaaay I helped! (: