Why use a cavesson for lunging and groundwork?
Used for centuries in classical riding, the cavesson lets you work with the horse without acting on the bars of the mouth or the tongue. Unlike a snaffle, whose bit acts on the mouth, the cavesson works directly on the top of the nose. This encourages bend, invites the horse to yield at the poll and helps control the shoulders on circles or in liberty work.
Several technical points will help you choose the right model:
- The action of the rings: the central ring is mainly used to attach the lunge line and direct the horse's eye without tipping the poll, while the side rings allow you to attach light reins.
- Noseband stability: a neat fit prevents the noseband from rotating on the nose and keeps the cheekpieces away from the eyes.
Should you choose a leather cavesson or a synthetic one?
The choice of material depends on your horse's sensitivity and how you like to care for your tack:
- The leather cavesson: classic and hard-wearing, a leather horse cavesson softens over time to mould to the shape of the face. See the QHP leather cavesson and the KERBL padded leather 3-ring cavesson for protective comfort.
- The synthetic or nylon cavesson: very light and washable with water, it suits regular sessions in wet weather. We offer the COVALLIERO synthetic 3-ring cavesson with wide noseband, the QHP 3-ring cavesson with synthetic fleece, and the GOMEZ Spanish nylon cavesson with lined leather noseband.
What is the difference between a Spanish and a Portuguese cavesson?
Iberian riding traditions use specific models designed for classical dressage and collected work:
- The Spanish cavesson: with a covered noseband, it offers a subtle control prized for straightness. Discover the GOMEZ Spanish leather cavesson with lined noseband or the GOMEZ Spanish leather cavesson with plain noseband, with 1 or 3 rings.
- The Portuguese cavesson: recognisable by its traditional buckle work, it supports the mobilisation of the hips and shoulders. We feature the GOMES Portuguese 3-ring leather cavesson and the GOMEZ Portuguese Haute Ecole cavesson with browband.