Are flash straps uncomfortable for the horse?

Question

My young horse has a flash strap attached to his noseband, as he has a tendency to open his mouth / try and avoid the bit otherwise.

But I heard that they can be uncomfortable and too restrictive. is this true? I want to know b/c if it is then I will stop using it

Answer 1

When I have used flash straps I never had a problem with them being to restrictive or uncomfortable, but then again, if you have your band improperly fastened then yes, it will cause you horse pain. If you see rubbing marks, or cuts forming  on your horse from the flash, I would check to see how you have it attached, if nothing seems wrong there I would stop using the flash and switch to something different, because you really want the best for your horse.

Answer 2

As long as their adjusted correctly, the flash noseband doesn't provide any discomfort. But you should check with a knowledgeable trainer to make sure the flash is in the correct position. Too high or too low and it can interfere with your horse's breathing by restricting his nasal passages.

Answer 3

YES IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE! How would you like to have something you hated done to you, and then be tied up so you couldn't stop it? People use all these tools that they think will help solve the problem, and they might cover it up, but maybe the real problem is you don't have the right bit, you're using your reins too much, he's not emotionally ready to let you into his mouth, etc. Email me if you have any questions!

Answer 4

Dont be silly. Who ever told you that has obviously never had that problem. There ment to be restrictive to stop the horse doin that. but if it was uncomfortable your horse would let you no... when fitted correctly they are fine.

Answer 5

Thumbs up to Mel.

Answer 6

Can be uncomfortable if adjusted too tight or sometimes if the leather is stiff and hard at the edges could rub and cut into the tender skin on the muzzle and chin area.  What type of bit are you using with the flash??  I've seen one person use a curb with curb chain with flash and it wasn't very pretty with the way it was adjusted.

It should stop him from opening his mouth not from breathing and being able to open his mouth a little.

Do you have the bit at the right height in his mouth so he can't get his tongue over it?  If you think he doesn't need it and say you could stop if it was bothering him..then try that first.  If it's a bitting issue...

Answer 7

young horses will frequently open their mouth when they are still green broke.. its pretty common and most of them outgrow it as they get the idea.. its more uncomfortable for a horse to go around with his mouth open than it is for a horse to go around with his mouth closed... if a horse continues to open his mouth to evade the bit you need to look at the bit/bridle, physical problems, or the rider/training..as i said, its more uncomfortable for the horse to keep his mouth open than the mouth closed, so if he persists in doing it then there is another problem going on...

a lot of people think that a flash noseband doesnt hurt the horse, and technically, a correctly fitted one will not hurt, but in the process of restricting the horse's ability to open its mouth, it also restricts the ability of the horse to slide his lower jaw back, which is actually necessary for the horse to properly loosen up his topline and move freely and softly.. you can still get the horse to move well, but there will be an inherent stiffness in the horse's jaw as a result of his inability to move his jaw back as nature designs when the horse stretches his topline and becomes rounded...

there was a time when i used a flash noseband for training horses, and they all did good, but when i learned about how it restricts the natural movement of the jaw i stopped using one and my horses did just as good if not better, and i never had any problems and never needed to even think about using one to deal with a problem, even with the young/green horses...

Answer 8

I have used flash bands MANY times b4 and none of the horses seemed uncofortable in any way. If you really think that the flash band is bothering your horse, make it a little looser. I am pretty sure the flash band isnt bothering him.   :)    Good Luck!