Your instructions for fitting the noseband recommend placing it at a level that seems very low on the nose. At that position does it interfere with breathing and does it still rest on bone?
At the level of the noseband that we recommend, the noseband still lies on BONE (the peak of the nasal bone) and there is no way that it can obstruct breathing. There is no cartilage at this level. The peak of the nasal bone extends down closer to the nostril than many people realize.
If the noseband is too low it will obstruct breathing and could cause the horse to shake its head or even to rear. If the noseband is too high, some degree of control will be forfeited in a keen horse. Under these conditions, a rider will find that they have to work too hard to communicate and, on a long ride, they develop sore shoulders.
The bottom edge of the noseband should, in most horses, be no more than 1.5" or 2" from the corners of the mouth. However, this can only be regarded as a general guideline and, in a few cases, some other distance is found to be more satisfactory. Nevertheless, as long as the nostrils are not being obstructed, the lower the better.
For more information, click on The Why, What and How of Fitting the Crossover Bitless Bridle
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