If positioned correctly, the noseband will not interfere with the movement of the bit rings, pinch the lips or press on the soft tissue of the horse's nose in such a way as to hamper the horse's breathing. You should be able to place a finger inside the noseband underneath the jaw, and yet it should be fastened snugly enough to prevent flapping during riding.

One finger inserted into noseband to check that it isn't buckled too tightly.

Flash Noseband - The caveson part of the flash noseband should sit just under the cheekbones without pressing on them. The flash attachment will then rest on the nasal bone and will not press on the soft tissue of the horse's nose. The flash should stretch comfortably down over the horse's jaws in front of the bit. Many people position the flash so that the buckle rests near the loop attachment for the flash rather than on the soft tissue near the lips. The keeper for the flash can be positioned so that it does not cause discomfort on the soft tissue as well.

Flash attachment sits on nasal bone.

Flash not too tight, and placed in front of bit but not where
it can compress the notstrils.

Flash keepers positioned so as not to pinch horse's lips.

Jawband or Crank Noseband - The caveson part of the noseband should sit just under the cheekbones without pressing on them. The buckle of this type of noseband is padded and designed to be tightened as needed by the requirements of the horse. The buckling system allows tightening with even pressure on both sides of the noseband. If the jawband has a flash attached, then it should be fastened as described for a flash noseband.

Figure 8 Noseband - The straps of this type of noseband need to be adjusted properly to be effective and to avoid hampering the horse's breathing. The padded disk should rest on the nasal bone so that the straps cross over this bone. The lower strap stretches down over the horse's jaw in front of the bit.

The upper strap may be positioned just under the cheekbones or on top of the cheekbones, depending on both the type of Figure 8 used and rider preference. Generally, if the straps of the Figure 8 attach to metal rings, many riders position the rings on top of the cheekbones so that this hardware does not press against the end of the horse's cheekbone.

If the Figure 8 does not use metal rings, but rather has adjustable leather slides, many riders position the upper strap just under the horse's cheekbone, as shown in the next photo.