Bit rubbing

[frankieduck]

Does anyone have any tips on preventing my bit from rubbing? Do bit butters etc. really work?

He’s in a loose ring bomber snaffle with acavallo gel bit guards but after XC at the weekend he has a little broken sore on his mouth the next day and I’m obviously mortified.

He is strong and leans so his own worst enemy but stronger bits only make him worse so we compromise with him pulling a bit between fences and I live with it but obviously don’t want him hurting himself. He is in a Kineton noseband which helps and he seems to really like. I’m pretty happy with our current set up as he’s not leaning and pulling me round like a train but happy and confident to ride into the bit.

I think half the problem is that he has pink skin on one half of his mouth which is extra sensitive - as the other half, which is black, never rubs.

Edited to add, having looked at some photos from the weekend I think it may actually be the kineton rubbing him! Can I fit it over his bit guards or is that ridiculous?

 

[maya2008]

Not sure about the Kineton as I have not used one but I have had a pony rub her mouth on absolutely everything - every type of bit guard etc you can find. Solution? Kimblewick. Some leverage so she’d stop but not enough to annoy her. Straight bar so she couldn’t play with it and move it too much in her mouth. Nothing to cause a rub on the sides, just smooth metal.

Only thing that has worked and we have tried multiple bits and all sorts of bit guards!

 

[Northern Hare]

I'm assuming that your kineton noseband is the old type that has the metal loops that sit around the bit? It's just that some other modern Nosebands seem to be called Kineton nowadays?

Could it be that the bit isn't quite wide enough to take into account the Acavallo gel bit guards and the kineton noseband, so that it's pinching him? I'm guessing that you've got the kineton sitting inside the bit guards - you could always try it outside the bit guards?

A friend who worked at one of the big event yards routinely used "Preparation H" on the corners of the horse's mouth. They went through tubes and tubes of it, I can't imagine what the Pharmacy thought, but it did the trick at protecting the horse's mouth, and and reducing any swelling.

 

[frankieduck]

I'm assuming that your kineton noseband is the old type that has the metal loops that sit around the bit? It's just that some other modern Nosebands seem to be called Kineton nowadays?

Could it be that the bit isn't quite wide enough to take into account the Acavallo gel bit guards and the kineton noseband, so that it's pinching him? I'm guessing that you've got the kineton sitting inside the bit guards - you could always try it outside the bit guards?

A friend who worked at one of the big event yards routinely used "Preparation H" on the corners of the horse's mouth. They went through tubes and tubes of it, I can't imagine what the Pharmacy thought, but it did the trick at protecting the horse's mouth, and and reducing any swelling.

Thank you - yes you’re correct on all points!

And I think you’re probably absolutely right. I had a professional bit fitter out to fit his bit a couple of years ago (he’s a funny little thing, big fleshy mouth, big tongue but tiny mouth) and she advised he only needs a 5” bit so that the low port sits centrally in his mouth. However I have since added the bit guards and kineton and you’re right, the set up is probably just a bit too tight now.

I actually have the same bit in a D-ring but 5.5” inch so I will try swapping to that and see if it helps.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply - sometimes it’s the most obvious things we don’t see ourselves isn’t it

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Does anyone have any tips on preventing my bit from rubbing? Do bit butters etc. really work?

He’s in a loose ring bomber snaffle with acavallo gel bit guards but after XC at the weekend he has a little broken sore on his mouth the next day and I’m obviously mortified.

He is strong and leans so his own worst enemy but stronger bits only make him worse so we compromise with him pulling a bit between fences and I live with it but obviously don’t want him hurting himself. He is in a Kineton noseband which helps and he seems to really like. I’m pretty happy with our current set up as he’s not leaning and pulling me round like a train but happy and confident to ride into the bit.

I think half the problem is that he has pink skin on one half of his mouth which is extra sensitive - as the other half, which is black, never rubs.

Edited to add, having looked at some photos from the weekend I think it may actually be the kineton rubbing him! Can I fit it over his bit guards or is that ridiculous?

I would use Biscuits if it is rubbing, they also help in the winter if they saliva a lot and stops them getting sores like cold sores

 

[frankieduck]

I would use Biscuits if it is rubbing, they also help in the winter if they saliva a lot and stops them getting sores like cold sores

View attachment 162297

I already have Acavallo gel bit guards on but I think it's the kineton that is pinching as it sits inside the bit guards. I'm going to try putting it outside the bit guards I think and also try him in a slightly bigger bit.

 

[Northern Hare]

Thank you - yes you’re correct on all points!

And I think you’re probably absolutely right. I had a professional bit fitter out to fit his bit a couple of years ago (he’s a funny little thing, big fleshy mouth, big tongue but tiny mouth) and she advised he only needs a 5” bit so that the low port sits centrally in his mouth. However I have since added the bit guards and kineton and you’re right, the set up is probably just a bit too tight now.

I actually have the same bit in a D-ring but 5.5” inch so I will try swapping to that and see if it helps.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply - sometimes it’s the most obvious things we don’t see ourselves isn’t it

Hi @frankieduck

Thanks for your reply! It sounds as though you're well on your way to finding a solution. Pink skin around the mouth does seem to be more prone to cracking and splitting. I hope he heals up quickly. Certainly try Preparation H. The other old remedy is to use a piece of gauze soaked in a solution of Alum salts - you can wrap it around a plain snaffle bit and pop that on for a few minutes. There's lots of threads on this forum with more details on where to buy, and dilution/strength if you search for Alum.

 

[Annagain]

I used to have this problem with Arch when he first arrived. The corner of his mouth would split, I'd stop to let it heal (tried a hackamore once, nearly died about 4 times didn't try it again)but as soon as I'd ride and it would open up again. On the advice of an old school horseman, I slathered the corners of his mouth in vaseline every time I rode. After about 6 months it didn't split any more.

 

[Mahoganybay]

Another to suggest Vaseline on the corners of the mouth. My mare hated the bit rings and started clamping her mouth shut when approached with the bridle.

Cut them off (after sweating / swearing getting them on) and back to opening her mouth for the bit again.

My mare has a really fleshy mouth and it’s the folds of skin in the corners rubbing together that create flaky skin.