Chomping bit & opening mouth- what bit?

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Dizzle

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Any ideas?

He's opening his mouth and chomping on the bit, he's currently in a loose ring french link and a plain cavesson, although sometimes I ride without the noseband at all.

Brakes and steering are fine in current bit.

I want to start properly schooling him but if he's resiting the contact by chomping and opening his gob then there's little point :(

HELP!
 
He was done in August, I've been b*ggered around by an EDT for the past two months promising to come out and then moving appointments. Am on search for EDT. :(
 
If his teeth are fine, then I found with my horse that a flash or drop didn't work as he fought against it although I am still tempted to strap his mouth up sometimes as it infuriates me. Try this first but also a Myler or alternative ( something more shaped to the mouth and tongue) was a major breakthrough for me and it is like riding a different horse.
 
Would agree with teeth check being a good idea then try a flash noseband for a bit first to see if that helps.
 
George used to do this in a loose ring french link snaffle, so I tried a flash which he didn't like and then a drop noseband that helped but the problem was still there. So I tried a complete change and I now have him in a plain metal mullen mouth eggbutt with a cavesson and bingo he seems happy :)
 
How old is he?? Danny used to mouth the bit constantly, to the point where he'd be dripping foam, no matter what bit he was in, flash, drop, cavesson noseband... however, as he's matured (well... supposedly) he's got a lot better, we think it was just a baby thing (:
 
Using a flash/grackle/drop is treating the symptom not the cause. You need to find out why he is doing it. Get his teeth done asap and whilst being done have a good look in his mouth for his conformation. Your current bit suits most mouths but ask the dentist for advice- e.g you may just need a thinner mouthpiece.

Also check that the saddle and other tack fits and that the rider isnt causing the problem with their contact. If young then it could just be an age thing, as suggested.
 
i wouldn't like to clamp his mouth shut with a noseband without finding out why he was doing it first, in case he's uncomfortable.

raff used to chew/grind his bit, open his mouth and wave his excessively long tongue around... it was a bit embarrassing... i tried a variety of bits, and eventually settled on a myler. it is shaped so it doesn't sit on his tongue and has copper bits on it so it's softer in his mouth.

i haven't seen his tongue flapping for ages now. (phew!)

good luck!
 
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