Why a Longe Cavesson?
Fortunately, good horsemanship does not rely on a tack room filled with specialty equipment. The one piece of gear I do recommend highly, especially for those doing lots of fitness-based groundwork, is a longe cavesson.
Since I have written about cavessons frequently in my books, many readers have contacted me to ask about design, uses, and buying resources. In this post, I will answer several of the most frequent questions I receive about longe cavessons.
Why a longe Cavesson?
If you do groundwork, cavessons are invaluable. They facilitate the horse adopting good posture without force, stress, or discomfort while performing its exercises. A center ring over the nose from which the handler guides the horse allows the head and poll to remain vertically aligned to the ground without twisting, tipping, or tilting as happens when a rope is attached under the chin. Also this nose ring allows a handler to guide the horse to a balanced body posture while avoiding resistance and tension that often arises from the bottom neck and jaw muscles. Essentially, this front-of-nose connection does not invite or permit bracing in the bottom neck muscle chain. It instead invites the neck to lengthen and therefore the poll to soften.
But Isn’t it Made of Metal?
While there are numerous designs and materials, most traditional cavessons are constructed by molding a lightweight piece of metal to fit the nose and then wrapping it in thick leather. Newer designs are often made without this metal and resemble a halter or bridle noseband, though they offer an arguably less precise communication from the handler. Many models nowadays can be found made of canvas, rope, or flexible metal links wrapped inside leather. Regardless of material, cavessons are like most training aids— they are only as strong as the handler makes them. It is the use as opposed to the construction that determines whether the gear feels harsh to the horse.
What Should I look for?
Since there are so many different designs, and some of them— to be perfectly frank— are unhelpful, it is important to choose a cavesson with a jaw strap that fastens under the jaw/mandible, not in the throat latch groove like a bridle. This feature prevents the cheek straps from sliding in the horse’s eye. There are numerous iterations of cavessons on the market to fit your horse/pony and budget. My absolute favorite is from Manolo Mendez. My second favorite is sold by my colleague Patrick King.
Are they expensive?
Most cavessons will set you back at least $200. However, if that’s untenable, you can modify an existing halter that fits fairly snug to make what is often called a “cowboy cavesson.” While it is not quite as effective as a traditional cavesson, it’s a solution that costs a few cents. For people who love their rope halters, this is a good option. Here are clear instructions from my colleague for making this “nose band cavesson.”
What is my horse doesn’t like the cavesson?
I have only seen horses toss their heads and complain when a cavesson is too loose and not fitting well. In fact, I would estimate that 99 percent of horses are immediately at ease and comfortable from the moment they begin working in a cavesson. Remember, this is a tool to help their bodies find good balance, and I haven’t met a horse yet that did not love balance.