Cavessons

The cavesson - practical & functional

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

Structure of a cavesson

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

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

However, the two outer rings are rigid in their position. Accordingly, they are more suitable for long rein work, or for bitless riding, as precise aiding is guaranteed by the reins. 

The cheek pieces, which merge into the crownpiece , are either attached to rings with the nose iron or sewn directly to it. The cheek pieces is also used to adjust the height of the nose piece.

A cavesson does not necessarily need a forehead or throatlatch . However, the jaw strap is indispensable for an optimal fit. It is either firmly sewn to the cheek pieces or can be flexibly slid onto them. The jaw strap prevents the cheek pieces from sliding too high and thus into the horse's eye. This is especially important when lunging.

The Serreta - the traditional Spanish variant

The Serreta is used in Spain for lunging as well as for riding with bit . The flat, leather-covered nose iron allows precise aids to be passed on to the horse through a fine influence. We do not offer the toothed version of the nose iron, as it is traditionally used in Spain, at Picadera for the sake of the horse.

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

The buckles, fittings and rings on the Serreta are made of burnished iron and form precious rust over time. To maintain the black colour, this material should occasionally be rubbed with a little oil, for example olive oil.

The Portuguese cavesson

Like the Serreta , the Portuguese cavessons also have a fixed nose iron. However, the nose iron of the Portuguese cavesson is slightly narrower. It is rounded and covered with leather. This cavesson has three rings on the nose iron, which allow both lungeing and long reining or bitless riding. Also traditional are the Baroque curved Cortesia buckles in gold or silver colour.

The cavesson - French style

The cavesson, or cavesson, originated in France. Unlike the other cavessons, it has a link chain or bicycle chain as the nose part. This is padded and covered with leather. As the chain is more flexible than a fixed nose iron, it adapts better to the horse's nose. Here you will also find three rings on the nose piece. So you can use the cavesson with a lunge, as well as with reins. Due to the fine action of the noseband, the cavesson can be used wonderfully as a bitless variant. 

The multi-functionalcavesson with soft leathernoseband

For very sensitive horses, a cavesson without metal components is best suited. The noseband of the multifunctional bridle OSLO is equipped with 5 D-rings. The middle ring is, as before, intended for buckling a lunge . However, there are two buckling options here for reins or long reins. As with the other classic cross bridles, there are two rings at the front of the noseband. 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.