Why use a noseband?
Possible answers could be
Let’s consider each response in turn.
I only use a loose cavesson for cosmetic reasons, however I generally don’t use one as it means extra cleaning and less time for riding. It also means that you don’t need to spend lots of money on fancy “elevator” style bridles as without a noseband there are no pressure points at the poll.
I dislike any noseband designed to restrict the horse. If the horse opens his mouth it is a sign of other problems and we need to trace the root causes and fix those rather than try to “hide the symptom”. I also think that a horse who is not allowed to express himself in his mouth develops problems in other parts of his body.
If I was the FEI I would not allow nosebands in dressage competitions for this reason. Nothing beautiful can be forced or restricted.
Other parts of the bridle must fit. I often see brow bands which are too tight or too loose. My Lusitano is a cob size overall but needs a full size brow-band as he is broad across the forehead. Don’t buy a complete bridle and expect that all parts of it will fit. Some horses are not off the peg like this.
Podhajsky’s Complete training (14) shows photos from the Spanish Riding School of horses with bridles without a throat lash. Also KFH doesn’t see any use for a throat lash and cuts them off. He says they have no purpose. I am inclined to agree but before doing the deed I decided to monitor my use of the throat lash. I discovered that I use the throat lash to secure my reins when tacking up and when lunging before riding. I concluded that my throat lash did have a use and haven’t cut mine off!
What items of tack do you have which are excess to requirements?