Cavesson & Accessories

The cavesson – the classic tool of every horse training

Whether in the training of young horses, for varied training of an already well-trained horse or in the rehabilitation phase after an injury - the cavesson is a versatile piece of equipment that should be in every saddle cupboard. After masters such as Antoine de Pluvinel appreciated it in the training of horses, the cavesson has experienced a real renaissance in recent years across all riding styles. There is also a growing awareness that attaching the lunge line to the snaffle bit is not sensible training for the horse's well-being.

How is a cavesson constructed?

A cavesson – whether Viennese, French or Portuguese – is characterized by its nosepiece with three rings. The middle ring is primarily used for buckling a lunge line or a rope. It is therefore suitable for lunging, leading or for hand work close to the horse. Position and bend can be worked out wonderfully this way – much better than with a halter or knotted halter, for example. The risk of the horse stepping on the lunge line when lowering its head is also reduced, as the lunge line is on the bridge of the horse's nose and not on its chin. The middle ring is usually pivoted so that it can rotate during lunging.

The two outer rings allow reins or long reins to be buckled in. This means that the cavesson can be used for hand work, but also for bitless riding to protect the horse's mouth. The side rings are fixed to ensure precise aids can be given via the reins. There are also some cavesson models with just a middle ring on the nose part. These are primarily used for lunging or for showing the horse in hand.

The cheek pieces of the cavesson, which merge into the headpiece, are sewn firmly to the nosepiece or attached with rings. This is used to set the correct height for the nosepiece of the cavesson.

The cheek strap is essential for the optimal fit of a cavesson. It is either sewn firmly onto the cheek pieces or can be flexibly moved on them so that it can be individually adjusted to the height of the horse's eyes. The cheek strap prevents the cheek pieces from slipping too close to the horse's eyes. This is particularly important when lunging.

A cavesson does not require a browband or throat strap for an optimal fit.

Finding the right cavesson

Whether a cavesson with a fixed nosepiece, with a link chain or made of pure leather is the right one for the horse depends on several factors. Firstly, it is important what the cavesson is to be used for, for example lunging, for hand work or for riding. In general, a cavesson with a fixed nosepiece is recommended for lunging, as this has the lowest risk of slipping. Cavessons made of pure leather or with a flexible link chain are primarily suitable for hand work, ground work or bitless riding. The horse's sensitivity also plays an important role. Some horses react very sensitively to too much pressure on the nose and can therefore be worked very finely with a soft leather noseband.

In order to choose the right cavesson for your horse, it is important to know what you primarily want to use the cavesson for. Here you can find out what distinguishes the cavesson models at Picadara from one another.

The Serreta – the traditional Spanish cavesson

The Serreta is the classic Iberian cavesson. It is used in Spain for both lunging and riding in combination with a bit. The Serreta is characterized by its flat, leather-covered nosepiece. The piece allows for very precise and fine action, so that all aids reach the horse directly. For the horse's well-being, we do not offer the toothed version of the nosepiece, as traditionally used in Spain, at Picadera.

The Serreta is equipped with either one or three rings on the nosepiece. The middle ring is rotatable and attached to a short pillar. The outer rings of the Serreta are fixed and also have short pillars (in contrast to the traditional Serreta with long pillars on the side rings). The Serreta with one ring is particularly suitable for those who primarily want to lunge. The Serreta enables particularly precise and fine work with the horse.

The Serreta's buckles, fittings and rings are made of black burnished iron, which develops rust over time. To maintain them and to preserve their color, you should occasionally rub them with a little oil - e.g. olive oil.

Advantages of Serreta

• Stable seat without slipping
• Very precise impact
• Very light

The Serreta is particularly suitable

• For lunging
• For bitless riding – also four-rein in combination with a bit
• For hand & ground work close to the horse

The Portuguese cavesson

The traditional Portuguese cavessons, like the Spanish Serreta, also have a fixed nosepiece. This is cut a little narrower so that it fits perfectly on the convex noses of the Lusitanos. The nosepiece is rounded and covered with leather and ensures that the cavesson fits securely. The three rings on the nosepiece allow you to attach a lunge line, reins or long reins. The cavesson from Portugal is characterized by the baroque, curved Cortesia buckles in gold or silver.

Advantages of the Portuguese cavesson

• Stable seat without slipping
• Very precise impact

The Portuguese cavesson is particularly suitable

• For lunging
• For bitless riding – also four-rein in combination with a bit
• For hand & ground work close to the horse

The Cavecon – the French style cavesson

The Cavecon - or Cavesson - is traditionally used in France. Its special feature is the link chain or bicycle chain, which gives the nosepiece both stability and flexibility. This means that the noseband can be easily shaped to any horse's nose. To protect the sensitive bridge of the nose, the chain is padded and covered with leather. This model also has three rings on the nosepiece, so that the Cavecon can be used with a lunge line or with reins. It is also ideal as a bitless bridle in the baroque style. The positioning of the rings enables precise influence over the nose and is therefore less spongy when riding than, for example, a side pull.

Advantages of the Cavecon

• Flexible hold thanks to integrated link chain
• Fine effect on the bridge of the nose

The Cavecon is particularly suitable

• For hand & ground work close to the horse
• For bitless riding with influence over the bridge of the nose – also four-rein in combination with a bit

The multifunctional cavesson with pure leather noseband

For very sensitive horses, a cavesson with a softly padded noseband without metal components is ideal. It can be used multifunctionally for riding, lunging or for hand work or ground work. The noseband of the multifunctional bridle at Picadera has five D-rings. The middle ring is intended for buckling a lunge line. There are two buckling options for reins or long reins. As with classic cavessons, there is a pair of rings in the front area of the noseband. This makes it easier to position and bend the horse when riding or doing ground work. The second pair of rings is on the side of the noseband. This enables an effect similar to that of a side pull.

Advantages of the leather cavesson

• Particularly fine effect
• Diverse ring positions and uses

The leather cavesson is particularly suitable

• For bitless riding with influence directly on the bridge of the nose or from the side – also four-rein in combination with a bit
• For hand & ground work close to the horse

Fasten the cavesson correctly

Correct fastening is essential for the cavesson to fit properly and prevent it from slipping. There are three key steps to follow.

1. Before using the horse for the first time, the headpiece or cheekpiece should be adjusted so that the nosepiece is at the correct height. It should sit about three fingers below the cheekbone and one hand's width above the nostrils. The height of the noseband can be individually adjusted within this range. This leaves important nerve exit points and pathways free and the horse's breathing is not restricted. Once the height has been set correctly, you can of course skip this step when using it again.
2. Next, the noseband is fastened. It should sit at about the horse's eye level to prevent the cheek pieces from slipping. The noseband should rest on the horse's cheeks - unlike a throatlatch, which is fastened with about a hand's width of play.
3. Finally, the noseband is closed.

The cavesson in combination with a bit

The use of a cavesson in combination with a bit is becoming increasingly popular in horse training. For example, in the training of young horses, the bit is buckled in blindly - i.e. without reins - and the influence is initially only applied via the cavesson. This allows the young horse to get used to the bit in peace and its sensitive mouth is protected.

As the training progresses, the horse can also be ridden and worked with four reins, a cavesson and bit. This means that the horse can be influenced either via the nose or via the bit, as required.

How does the bit attach to the cavesson?

Some cavessons have small D-rings on the cheek pieces. This allows bit straps or a bit to be attached.

For cavessons without D-rings, using a semi-bridle is a great option. The semi-bridle with bit is simply strapped over the cavesson. This allows the height of the bit to be individually adjusted. The semi-bridle can also be easily removed during a training session - for example, if the horse is first warmed up with hand work over the bit and then lunged with the cavesson.