Cavessons

The cavesson – practical & functional

The cavesson can now be found in many stables and is used for a wide variety of purposes. It is also a popular aid in the training of young horses, as the cavesson allows fine and precise aids to be passed on to the horse. 

Construction of a cavesson

No matter what type of cavesson, each one has one or more rings on the nosepiece. The cavessons at Picadera have either three or one ring on the nosepiece or noseband.

The single ring in the middle of the noseband is perfect for lunging, handwork or leading the horse. This ring is movable and not rigid, so that the lunge or rope can move with the ring. The big advantage here is that the horse cannot step on the lunge because it is on the nose and not on the chin. This middle ring makes it easy to get the horse to position and bend. 

The two outer rings, however, are fixed in their position. They are therefore more suitable for long rein work or bitless riding, as precise aids are guaranteed through the reins. 

The cheek pieces that merge into the neck strap are either attached to rings on the nosepiece or sewn directly to it. The height of the nosepiece is therefore also adjusted using the cheek pieces.

A cavesson does not necessarily need a browband or throat strap. However, the noseband is essential for an optimal fit. It is either sewn firmly onto the cheek pieces or can be moved flexibly on them. The noseband prevents the cheek pieces from slipping too high and into the horse's eyes. This is particularly important when lunging.

The Serreta – the traditional Spanish variant

The Serreta is used in Spain for both lunging and riding with a bit. The flat, leather-covered nosepiece allows precise aids to be given to the horse through a subtle influence. For the sake of the horse, we at Picadera do not offer the toothed version of the nosepiece, as traditionally used in Spain.

The Serreta has either three or one ring. As mentioned above, the middle ring is rotatable and therefore suitable for lunging. The outer rings, on the other hand, are rigid and are therefore ideal for reins for bitless riding.

The buckles, fittings and rings on the Serreta are made of burnished iron and will develop rust over time. To care for the material and to preserve its black color, you should occasionally rub it with a little oil - olive oil, for example.

The Portuguese cavesson

Just like the Serreta, the Portuguese cavessons also have a fixed nosepiece. However, the Portuguese cavesson has a slightly narrower nosepiece. It is rounded and covered with leather. This cavesson has three rings on the nosepiece, which allow for both lunge and long rein work or bitless riding. The baroque curved Cortesia buckles are also traditionally gold or silver.

The Cavecon – French style

The Cavecon, or Cavesson, originally comes from France. Unlike other cavessons, it has a link chain or bicycle chain as the nose piece. This is padded and covered with leather. However, as the chain is more flexible than a fixed nose piece, it adapts better to the horse's nose. There are also three rings on the nose piece. This means that the Cavecon can be used with a lunge line or with reins. Thanks to the fine effect of the noseband, the Cavecon can be used wonderfully as a bitless variant. 

The multifunctional cavesson with soft leather noseband

A cavesson without metal components is ideal for very sensitive horses. The noseband of the OSLO multifunctional bridle is equipped with 5 D-rings. The middle ring is, as before, intended for buckling a lunge line. However, there are two fastening options for reins or long reins. As with the other classic cavessons, there are two rings in the front area of the nosepiece. The second option for buckling the reins is on the side of the nosepiece. The rings attached there then have a similar effect to a side pull.