Swedish: Snaffle Bridles with a Finely Adjustable Crank Noseband

Swedish: the noseband with a pulley

A Swedish crank noseband is not simply buckled up. It is drawn closed via a pulley under the chin, which allows very fine adjustment. It usually comes as a combined noseband with a flash strap and is well padded at the chin. Snaffle bridles with a crank noseband are especially common in dressage. We stock models from the Waldhausen X-Line and S-Line ranges as well as from Covalliero, some of them in pony size too.

Fine adjustment comes with responsibility

Because the pulley transmits a lot of force, a crank noseband can easily end up too tight. That is why the two-finger rule applies particularly strictly here: two fingers must fit under the strap on the nasal bone without being squeezed. A horse that chews and swallows calmly shows you that the fit is right. A mouth that is strapped shut does not solve contact problems, it simply shifts them somewhere else.

Padding and looks

X-Line bridles such as Stockholm or Supersoft have a softly padded noseband and a chin pad that spreads the pressure of the pulley. Goldheart, Ivory and Glamour add decorative browbands, and the patent version Blackshine has a particularly glossy finish. When buying, check that the headpiece and cheekpieces suit the shape of the head, so the noseband does not slip and sits neatly below the facial crest.

Frequently asked questions

Is a crank noseband harsher than an English one?
It is not harsher in itself, but it can be done up much tighter. Correctly adjusted with two fingers of room, it works much like an English flash noseband. It only becomes a problem when it is too tight.

Can I use a crank noseband with a snaffle bit?
Yes, most of the bridles on this page are designed for a snaffle. You can spot a version made purely for a double bridle by the missing flash loop. There are separate double bridles for the curb bit.

How can I tell if the noseband is too tight?
Your horse hardly chews, stops salivating and seems stiff at the poll. Sometimes you can see marks on the nose after riding. In that case, let it out by one hole and watch how your horse responds.