News: Society cranky about jaw-clamping nosebands

How tight is too tight? The International Society for Equitation Science is calling for a return to the “two finger” rule for nosebands.The society condemns the use of overtightened nosebands  in equestrian competition, suggesting that horse show stewards use a taper gauge to ensure that the space between the noseband and the nose is the equivalent of two adult fingers.

“Recent research suggests that horses wearing tight nosebands undergo a physiological stress response, are sensitized to bit pressure and may have reduced blood flow with potential to cause injuries and tissue damage, including nasal bone deformities, even when padding accompanies the noseband such as in the case of so-called crank nosebands,” the society said.

[Horse Talk]