Janice, You state that the horse never gets release with a dropped noseband. Are you saying that the horse feels no release when the pressure on the reins (thus the bit and mouth) is softened? I thought about what you said, and realized that the horse doesn't ever feel complete release even if there is no nose band. The bit is still in the corners of the mouth and across the tongue. When you are riding a horse there is always pressure on his back, and there is pressure on his sides even if your leg is draped softly on his sides. I don't see that one can ever give total release when riding. Why do you feel that a dropped noseband is inherently cruel? Are using keepers on a full cheek bit cruel too? I don't see how just holding or steadying the bit in the horse's mouth is more cruel than using a bit at all. If you can explain it in a scientific way on the mechanics of dropped vs no dropped, I would reconsider my opinion. Facts, though, not opinion or emotion, are needed for your argument.
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