bridle help please!

[hannah25]

So, I am looking at getting a new bridle for my mare, she crosses her jaw so looking for something to help stop that (she has been in a plain cavesson (no flash)) and she just went around with her tongue out and jaw crossed,
I have come across these two bridles but have no idea what they do, so anyone that does know, would you be able to help out??
Thanks

 

[Ratface]

Have a look in the Tack Room Archive (via Google "horse crossing jaw") for subject discussed February 2010.

 

[Birker2020]

So, I am looking at getting a new bridle for my mare, she crosses her jaw so looking for something to help stop that (she has been in a plain cavesson (no flash)) and she just went around with her tongue out and jaw crossed,
I have come across these two bridles but have no idea what they do, so anyone that does know, would you be able to help out??
Thanks
View attachment 99262View attachment 99263

The second one is a Equiline Anatomic Bridle and has been made with the sole purpose of reducing pressure on the poll, facial nerves and cheekbones.

The first one is a John Whittaker made anatomical bridle which features a shaped headpiece and adjustable noseband, with perforated leather padding that benefits from specially engineered moisture-wicking properties as well as improved breathability.

But tbh I'd be tempted to get an EDT in first to identify if the reason your horse is sticking her tongue out and crossing her jaw is because of any physical issues in her mouth first before wasting money on expensive tack that you might not need.

 

[hannah25]

yes forgot to mention - EDT coming out on friday

 

[Birker2020]

yes forgot to mention - EDT coming out on friday

That's good. Horses normally cross their jaws or stick their tongue out as an evasion, either because their teeth are sharp, the bit doesn't fit the conformation of the mouth or because the contact is intermittent, or overly strong.

Do keep us updated Hannah25, I hope the EDT visit goes well. If I were you I'd ask your EDT if your bit suits your horses mouth, it may need a thinner mouthpiece or a different type of bit.

 

[Quigleyandme]

If the problem persists after her dental you might consider a bit and bridle fitter. This is an area of horse husbandry that has come on a great deal and can be very influential.

 

[hannah25]

If the problem persists after her dental you might consider a bit and bridle fitter. This is an area of horse husbandry that has come on a great deal and can be very influential.

We actually had a bit and bridle fitter out the end of last year, I won't go into details but didn't rate it at all. By the sounds of it, they go around telling everyone they see to buy the same bridle and to get their saddle checked by one specific saddler (I was told my saddle didn't fit). The bridle was the cavesson I mentioned at the top and he sold a loose ring with a lozenge mouthpiece to me for my mare as he said she had a big tongue, I was a bit puzzled as I thought that was what a ported bit was for. She went no better (if not worse) and then following advice from other people, I have been riding her in a ported bit and she is now going miles better. She's much happier but still crossing her jaw, starting to think its more of her expecting pain so trying to evade it even though it's not there anymore.
PS: the saddle that I then bought from his recommended saddler started to look as if it didn't fit, we went back to my old saddler which I was still using for my gelding and it actually turns out that the saddle I was sold doesn't fit as well as the one I bought from him!

 

[Quigleyandme]

That is disappointing. It’s such a pill when you put your faith in a professional and they let you and your horse down. There is a video online of Richard Maxwell working on the TMJs of a young show jumper. I’m sorry I don’t have a link but I saw it on Facebook. He demonstrates how the horse reacts to slight pressure on his bilateral TMJs and explains the reasons for and ramifications of this. He sticks his finger on the roof of the horse’s mouth which causes him to move his lower jaw from side to side thus freeing the tension in the joints. He does it a few times allowing the horse to relax in between. When he then puts mild pressure on the TMJs the horse hardly reacts at all. A low tech, no cost experiment that might be worth a shot. I think the Facebook page the video was shared from is The Horsewoman.

 

[hannah25]

Thank you! I will take a look at that.