Flash Bridles
The flash bridle is a snaffle bridle that takes its name from the type of noseband it features: a French caveson/crank noseband that has a flash strap (usually removable). Preferred by dressage riders and those in jumping disciplines, the flash noseband keeps a horse's jaws aligned and prevents the horse from opening its mouth to avoid bit and rein aids. It transfers some of the pressure of the bit from the bars to the nasal bone.

The flash strap further reduces the ability for the horse to open its mouth or cross its jaws and prevents the horse from yielding to the bit through the lower jaw instead of through proper bending at the poll. A properly adjusted flash strap should not compress the horse's nostrils. The buckle should not rest against the horse's lips, where it could pinch or rub.

The crownpiece of a flash bridle can be either single or traditional. A single crown has the noseband hanger incorporated into its design, and it buckles on each side of the horse's face. A single crownpiece is usually contoured around the horse's ears and discreetly padded for comfort. A traditional crown allows for left-to-right adjustment of the noseband, as it is a continual piece, while on the horse's head. The noseband buckles only on one side.

Flash bridles come in brown and black leather. Styling on brown leather flash bridles, typically seen with jumping saddles, can be plain raised or fancy-stitched and may have a browband with simple decoration, such as a clincher. Styling on black leather flash bridles, typically seen in dressage, is usually plain raised. Browbands can be embellished by a variety of decorative elements, from clinchers to beads or crystals. The types of reins most commonly used with a flash bridle are web reins (especially in dressage) or rubber reins (especially for jumping).

How to Clean Your Bridle

Properly caring for your bridle and reins supports maximum performance, longevity your horse's comfort.

After every ride, you'll want to wipe any grime, sweat, saliva and ring dust from your bridle and reins and use either traditional glycerin soap and water or a specially formulated leather cleanser.

Pay particular attention to cleaning areas of your bridle that are typically under pressure during riding and exposed to saliva, such as the ends of cheek pieces and reins where they come in contact with bit rings.

For a traditional and economical method, glycerin soap, a small bucket and a sponge or cloth works great. Barely moisten the sponge with cool water. Unfasten hook stud closures and buckles to remove debris caught by the hardware and to smooth creases in your leather.

After washing, and when the leather feels smooth and clean, rub a nearly dry sponge or rag against the glycerin soap bar. Apply a thin layer of glycerin soap (no suds during this step) to your leather to seal its pores and keep it soft, but not sticky.

Newer methods of cleaning your bridle involve convenient and easy-to-use tack cleaning and conditioning products. Almost every tack manufacturer has a recommendation or product preference for cleaning and conditioning its products, and some manufacturers produce their own. Always follow manufacturer's guidelines when considering commercial leather cleaners and conditioners.

One-step leather cleaners also condition your leather as you wipe away grime. Two-step cleaners usually advise following cleansing with a conditioner that will soften and protect the leather.