bitting advice for a pony with wave mouth

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VickyH

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We have a 16 year old 12.2 welsh x arab called Dolly, we've had her a year (6months loan then purchased). Her owner told us that she occasionally does a strange thing with her head but she'd had her teeth and back checked and all was ok, she is a very genuine woman and is still regularly in touch regarding Dolly and had tried various bits etc to try and 'cure' this problem but her daughter had just lost interest. With lessons my daughter was managing to ride through what we thought was just a bad habit with no problems until recently when it became obvious it was more than just a habit. I have had Dolly's teeth checked today and have been told she has a wave mouth, she also had some sharp edges and a ramp removed but nothing serious. The vet expained what a wave mouth is and it would appear this is probably what has been causing her problem. Can anyone suggest a bit that would be most comfortable for her? She is not a strong pony usually but is very petite and has a very small mouth. My daughter is only learning to ride but can walk and trot off the lead rein and is very nearly there with the canter - just a few wobbles! She only really wants to hack out and do local shows. She is such a fantastic, honest little pony I hate the thought of her being in any discomfort.
Thanks in advance :-)
 
Given what you're looking to do with her, I would try an English Sidepull. I ride Henry in one (have done for 7 years, on and off) and find no difference in his going between this and his snaffle (which I use when riding and leading, as Chloe wears the sidepull, then). I had an English Leather one made up by PLAS Equestrian. I assume they've still got a website! As it's leather, unlike many of the bitless bridles, it looks lovely and smart (so good for shows) and I've yet to have anyone even notice, when I'm out hacking!
 
A bitless bridle had crossed my mind but was unsure as my daughter is only a novice i didn't know if it would be suitable
 
Bitless bridles *can* be as strong as bitted ones so don't worry about that per se. I even know a Riding School that uses them for most of their horses. I didn't find it at all difficult to switch when I tried and I'm told most horses/ponies get the idea pretty quickly too. Really glad you've found out the reason for the behaviour and are taking action, lucky pony to have such a responsible owner.
 
As I understand it, a wave mouth involves the molars and therefore will have no effect on the bitting of the horse. It will however effect the horse's way of going because the horse is unable to slide it's bottom jaw forwards in order it relax it's jaw and neck.

I could be wrong, but it this is the case I doubt a change in bitting would have an effect on your pony- afaik corrective dentistry would be required to help.
 
My pony has a wavy mouth and the vet never mentioned that i would need a special bit or that it would affect his way of going??:confused:
 
corrective dentistry is not an option at her age, she is 16 so the vet said it is not worth cracking out the power tools which could do more harm than good in the long run, apparently most ponies learn to cope with it anyway. The change in bit is just to make things easier, apparently the bit can get 'caught' in the rise of the wave in her top teeth which is why she does what she does with her head - very hard to explain without seeing it for yourself!
 
My riding horse who is 17 has a wave mouth. When he was young it meant sharp edges and hooks sometimes formed before the six month check. We knew when he needed the dentist because he would do odd things with his head/mouth. This happened because the teeth don't wear normally and they would not slide over each other correctly. I usually have his teeth done with power tools - not to take a lot off - its important that only a little work is done each time. The power tools make the whole experience easier for him. He really dislikes manual rasps.
I imagined that he would like a French Link - but no - he likes a conventional snaffle action and also goes very nicely in a Double.
Have fun with the horse, just get a good dentist to visit regularly.
 
Thank you! She does do funny things with her head/mouth, we always thought it was a bad habit as her previous owner had had her back, saddle and teeth checked already with no luck. I obviously got a good vet out today :-) so glad we now know the cause and can make sure we look out for the tell tale signs her teeth need a float :-)
 
oh mare also has a wave mouth - dentist discussed with us that some people like to file the shape away, he prefers not too - the teeth grow that way and no amout of filing will put it right! I trust him totally (wouldn't trust all dentists that much) so am v happy to go with his advice on this. Unless you put the bit between her back teeth then I can't see the prob? Make sure the bit isn't too high in her mouth and expect v regular and quite frequent dentist visits. Oh mare has a tounge saver baucher (from cotswold sport) which suits her very well. Tbh her wave mouth didn't figure in our choice - she has a large tongue so the shape of the mouth piece is fab, she likes a steady contact so the baucher offers this better than the loose ring.
Does your pony show any probs with the bit you currently use? The one you use looks nicely shaped in the mouth piece.
 
Mine has a wave mouth, and shes 18. She has the dentist every 6 months (has done for the past 10 years).

Never made any effect on the way she is bitted as the wave refers to the molars at the back of the mouth.

FWIW, I ride mine in a Neue Schule lozenged hanging cheek, or the same mouthpeice on a pelham, or in a double bridle.
 
Speak to a proper EDT - vets know so little about teeth it is painful to hear their comments. My 24 year old has the power tools for his teeth, it is no problem at all to them, it is merely a more efficient way of doing the teeth than the labour intensive and physically tiring manual rasp. Most horses will find it far easier having the power file as they have a quicker treatement. Wavy jaw is in my experience just a condition of the molars which can be corrected as a routine and ongoing treatment. The vet has advised you not to use a nutcracker bit (ie a single jointed bit) as that is a very harsh painful bit in the hands of a novice rider. A lozenge is a far more gentle bit. It is unlikely that the wavy mouth will have any impact on the bit used but the horse will always be more comfortable in a lozenge. See if you can get VictoriaEDT on here to comment - she is a qualified EDT.
 
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