cuts in the corners of the mouth - any ideas appreciated

[Cortez]

If the bit is fat at the edges, it could be stretching the corners of the lips not actually pinching them, I wonder if this is the case as you say he is a cob and cobs tend to have quite fleshy lips/mouths. Ive recently come to the realisation that with my boy, I can use any sort of fat bit in his mouth. I was trialing him in a continental gag for jumping, i hacked him on for a while to get him used to the bit and noticed the the corners of his mouth got split, they did not heal, vasaline didnt help, I let it go for a few days to see if it would settle and then one day i tacked him up, went to get my hat, came to get him out of his stable and his mouth was already splitting and weeping, it was very clear that the bit was stretching his mouth at the corners. Much as i get the fact that fatter bits are supposed to be kinder, for my boy they certainly are not, its another bit to add to my list of redundants!

Actually I see that latest research has concluded that fat bits are NOT kinder and the narrower, thinner ones are less uncomfortable. I think it depends on how much room there is in each particular horse's mouth. Just a thought: does the OP's cob have pink lips by any chance?

 

[EquiEquestrian556]

I had a similar problem, and found putting bit guards aka bit rings on helps a lot. Also, a substance called 'Bit Butter' also really helps, plus my mare really loves the taste and is a lot softer on the bit, here is the link: http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/essentials/first-aid/lotions-potions/bit-butter I'd recommend buying the small travel size first to see if it works, it does still last long.

Try to avoid loose ring type bits, i.e dutch gags, loose ring snaffles, all bits with a loose ring action on the cheeks should be avoided.

 

[EquiEquestrian556]

Stop sawing! This and this alone cuts horses' mouths.

I disagree. I used to occasionally and VERY gently saw my previous gelding who was very strong, and he NEVER got cut lips. It can be a number of things that cause a horse's mouth to split, dryness, a loose ring bit, harsh hands, so I disagree that sawing causes cuts on horses' mouths unless it's very harsh. Besides, OP said she doesn't saw.

 

[fatpony]

Actually I see that latest research has concluded that fat bits are NOT kinder and the narrower, thinner ones are less uncomfortable. I think it depends on how much room there is in each particular horse's mouth. Just a thought: does the OP's cob have pink lips by any chance?

He has got pink lips, and is quite fleshy/wrinkly.

Update - Cuts have healed and Ive tried a few bits for size/shape. He was in a 4 1/2 inch which looked fine but when I tried a 5 inch there was a little light bulb moment where I realised the 5 inch was a much better fit. Im kicking myself for not realising but Id never considered that his mouth would grow. He's been in a 4 1/2 inch for 2 and a half years without any problems or rubs so Im sure it fitted originally. I'm hoping this was the cause but if not its definitely a change that needed to be made.

 

[MillionDollar]

Stop sawing! This and this alone cuts horses' mouths.

Not true at all!

I have a 5yo WB who is evented by a proessional and we had huge problems with her mouth being very sore, to the point of it bleeding. We allowed it to heal by using a hackamore for 2 weeks and then put her in a hanging cheek only for flatwork, she wears the hackamore for sjing too. Has solved the problem and she's absolutely fine now.