Grackle bridles have a noseband attached to a slip head that passes through the browband and sits underneath the headpiece of the bridle consisting of two leather straps that cross over high on the nose through a slotted, padded leather circle often with a sheepskin backing. The grackle noseband is also known as a figure of 8 noseband.
The Grackle bridle is a variation on the flash noseband, applying pressure evenly and over a larger area than a flash noseband if the horse opens its mouth or evades, whilst giving more room around the nostrils to make breathing easier.
Fitting A Grackle Bridle
The headpiece of the bridle should sit comfortably behind the horse's poll and the sides adjusted so that the bit sits comfortably across the toothless gap between the incisors and molars of the horse. The browband should lie across the horse's forehead and be positioned approximately the width of two fingers below the ears to avoid it pinching the ears.
The standard or English grackle bridle should be fitted with the back of the upper strap of the grackle noseband just below the cheekbones and the lower strap fastened under the bit. It should be possible to slide a finger under the straps all round.
The throat lash should be fastened allowing a hand's width between the throat lash and the horse's jaw.
Another version of the Grackle bridle, called the Mexican, American or High Ring Grackle, is fitted with the upper strap higher up the head and has a softer action.
