Flash vs Figure 8 noseband?

I really think this could be a tooth issue. Have his teeth been floated within the last 6 months? Sounds to me like there's a hook way up in his mouth that's getting him in the cheek when you use contact, that's why he's way behind the bit.

Flashes and 8s aren't really going to do anything for him being behind the bit or cocking his head. They are more for horses that open their mouth to avoid the bit, or who hang their tongue out the side of their mouth, or who crossover their jaw to fight bit pressure. I think if he's got a problem in his mouth and you tie it shut, you might end up with a very sour horse or a rearer!

If his teeth are 100 percent perfect, and have been recently done, I would consider dropping down a level in bit severity. See if he doesn't like something a little thicker or gentler.

It's good that you're going to get a pro trainer's opinion.

There's not a huge difference between the effect of a flash vs. a figure 8 noseband. A flash attachment can be fastened to your caveson noseband, and won't cost much. A figure 8 noseband will look better, but is more money.

(I'm not sure if you can show in Hunter divisions with either, though.)

The other odd trick I've seen work is the hair net over the nose. You tuck a brown hair net around the noseband so it covers the entire nose. You don't see it, but it reminds most horses to stop playing with their lips/tongue/jaw.

A link in his bit or a very narrow bit with lots of tongue relief might be the trick too. Have a few very experienced people take a look at his mouth to see if he has special conformation there like a large tongue or low palate. There are bits that help with those issues.

If he's avoiding the bit maybe there's a reason. If you haven't had his teeth checked it would be a good idea to have them looked at, also make sure the bit is fitting correctly, or if it's suiting the shape of his mouth. If he's getting irritable and you force his mouth closed you might find he'll go behind the bit even more.

Also you could see what the trainer thinks, possibly it's just habit and he needs to be ridden a bit more forward into a contact.

I was told I needed a flash for my horse who always had his mouth open however I went back to basics and instead if just forcing it shut I got him to relax and over a period of 2 months and a lovely soft mouth pony who needed no flash and had his bit down graded from a Dutch gag to a snaffle. It took a lot of patience and time but the benefits were huge!