Dizzy's Bitting Issue

MrsMozartletoe

MrsMozartletoe

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Had the instructor out today to ride the Dizz and pass her professional opinion on the Dizz's mouth issue.

Rode her in the Happy Mouth three ring gag with revolver centre. Lots of head throwing. Tried her in the Hackamore (thank you C!) - seemed to stop, but then started again
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Rubbed her right nostril a fair bit when she got chance.

Instructor watched Daughter ride. Commented that Dizz's nostrils did not stop working (quite noticeable).

So, tomorrow I'm going to call the vet and see what she thinks. I'm also going to try a bag thing on her nose. I've tried the nose net, but she just plays with it.
 
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Have you tried riding her without a noseband? sounds so simple but worth a try!

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I think (don't quote me!) she was noseband-less in the pics. Hmmm difficult one. I'm a big myler fan as it gives horses more tongue room and eliminates pinching etc but hard to suggest which one without seeing her in action. She seems happy in the bit in the pics but I'll have a think! x
 
Yup, she was nosebandless today
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Tried the Myler broad barrel with D rings.

Tried the Myler pelham (as above).

Tried Happy Mouth straight bar.

Tried Nathe joined snaffle.

Tried the hackamore so no bit at all, still get the same reaction
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She's always keen to rub her nose when she gets chance, especially the right one.
 
Nailed - would be lovely! I have to be in Birmingham though on Thurs and Fri
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Boo and hoo
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Unless of course they decide they don't want me....
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I should be going to the dentist this week....
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JP - is the Dr Cook the bitless? I'm slung between Derby and Nottingham
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Bugs - instructor is thinking pollen allergy/ies. The daft thing is, when I ride her she spends the first ten mins being a prat and then settles down nicely (usually!). She seems to prefer a firm contact, much firmer than I am used to riding with and more so than before she went to Newmarket.

A major contributing factor to my fall was her pain response when I asked her to slow. She's not done it before, I was tired etc and lost a stirrup and plopped off
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Had her teeth checked last Saturday. No issues such as wolf teeth. Had a contusion on the roof of her mouth, but not swollen or sore and couldn't say when it had been done. Was where the bit would knock though.
 
Just to throw another idea forward, my lad used to rub his nose a lot when tired / worked hard (at end of lesson) or ready for the back lady. He would stop doing it completely after treatment but would then resume when ready to be manipulated again.

Thinking of Dizzies medical history it could be related???
 
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Is the nose rubbing out of habit? Or an actual desperate need to scratch? Could there be a physiological reason such as a blockage up there that is made worse with exercise?

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Good questions E. She doesn't do it all the time/every ride. She's happy in the school, what little work she's done in there since I've had her (ears forward, willing to go forward, etc.). She'll do it out on hacks when she seems very happy. Out in fields or when going through trees. Some days she doesn't do it at all. When cantering she'll snort, but vet says that is due to being unfit.

When she's doing it, her body language is positive.

I've occasionally, when tired of having my arms yanked, have blocked the upwards movement say three times in a row, after which she stops doing it for that ride.

Also, if I ride her on a firm contact and keep my leg on and seat firm, she doesn't do it. If I keep her really interested in what we're doing, with lots of transitions and changes of direction she doesn't do it, or certainly reduces enough for me to think she doesn't do it.

At the AHT they rode her twice a day for five days (to try and get the lameness going).They thought she was fussy in the mouth and put a Nathe snaffle in, which she was marginally better in. They commented that she needs a great deal of trust in her rider, which is true. She's a very sensitive horse in all ways. When she came back from the AHT, the first time I rode her, in walk she was fine, but in trot! Head up, neck twisted, back hollowed, and I thought she was going to bob off with me
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The only way I could get her trotting with some semblance of control was to shorten reins right up, lean forward slightly, and talk to her a lot. No head shaking.

Am confused!
 
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Just to throw another idea forward, my lad used to rub his nose a lot when tired / worked hard (at end of lesson) or ready for the back lady. He would stop doing it completely after treatment but would then resume when ready to be manipulated again.

Thinking of Dizzies medical history it could be related???

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Hm. This could be a thought as well. Back man was in May, so we could well be due. Will give him a call tomorrow! I meant to do it last week, but my head doesn't always do what it's meant to do at the moment
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Glad you didn't take offence as I know you have had her looked at inside and out!

My lad had pelvis issues too from his racing history but we went on to work at Adv. It just takes time and the right sort of work for them to build up the correct musles and strength. The Dizz is still building up her muscles again so (just like us) may feel the odd twinge on certain days
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I love wathcing her progress - and now daughter has had her first ride on her - good luck on retaining the ride.
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Glad you didn't take offence as I know you have had her looked at inside and out!

My lad had pelvis issues too from his racing history but we went on to work at Adv. It just takes time and the right sort of work for them to build up the correct musles and strength. The Dizz is still building up her muscles again so (just like us) may feel the odd twinge on certain days
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I love wathcing her progress - and now daughter has had her first ride on her - good luck on retaining the ride.
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No hun! No offence at all
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. I'm open to just about any suggestion
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. I appreciate people taking the trouble to make suggestions
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Ta re. her progress. I can't wait to see the muscle build. It's the thought I hold onto! It will be good when we're both fit and well at the same time lol
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Mrs M..my mare did this too, would go about with head in the air and as you know I have tried many bits! What has worked for me has been changing the bit to a Sprenger Dynamic RS which is really helping her, she is fussy in the mouth, thick tongue and fleshy lips, also using my massage pad before I ride has helped her back. She is a fjord with long back and spavin in hocks so does not engage to well in the back end. Back man comes every three months and I have introduced long lineing to our routine to help her engage her back and rear end. As you know, I was thinking of going bitless, but think I will persevere with the sprenger for a bit longer as I have been well impressed so far. Hope you find something soon.
 
Mine habitually rubs her face after working too, but isnt something I worry about, I think its like a release for her. Sorry to ask, but why are you going down the route of gags and pelhams with her?
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Tried the Myler broad barrel with D rings.

Tried the Myler pelham (as above).

Tried Happy Mouth straight bar.

Tried Nathe joined snaffle.

Tried the hackamore so no bit at all, still get the same reaction
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She's always keen to rub her nose when she gets chance, especially the right one.

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Chestnut mare syndrome, never one to put up with minor discomfort.
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What is she bedded on and is she fed dry hay? Maybe its a bit of an allergy.

From the pictures she looks very light in the hand and inclined, if anything, to over-bend a bit. Stick with a boring french link/lozenge eggbutt snaffle in boring old stainless steel or one of the newer goldish mouthpieces, IMO. Most of the above, although perfect for the odd horse, are generally too complex, too severe or create too much pressure on one particular area.
 
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That has me stumped
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Jazzy has a bit of a nose rubbing thing, but it's normally when we've stopped for a car to pass or something, and I think it's because he wants the bottom grakle strap taken off!!!

Will keep thinking!

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Ta hun
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Tried the Myler broad barrel with D rings.

Tried the Myler pelham (as above).

Tried Happy Mouth straight bar.

Tried Nathe joined snaffle.

Tried the hackamore so no bit at all, still get the same reaction
frown.gif


She's always keen to rub her nose when she gets chance, especially the right one.

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Chestnut mare syndrome, never one to put up with minor discomfort.
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What is she bedded on and is she fed dry hay? Maybe its a bit of an allergy.

From the pictures she looks very light in the hand and inclined, if anything, to over-bend a bit. Stick with a boring french link/lozenge eggbutt snaffle in boring old stainless steel or one of the newer goldish mouthpieces, IMO. Most of the above, although perfect for the odd horse, are generally too complex, too severe or create too much pressure on one particular area.

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Oh yes, she's a sensitive little soul
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. I shall get a french link at the weekend and give it ago
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She's out most of the time. Bedding is a handful of shavings on rubber matting. Hay is not bad, but I could damp it easily enough
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Will give it all a go hun. Thank you
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Mrs M..my mare did this too, would go about with head in the air and as you know I have tried many bits! What has worked for me has been changing the bit to a Sprenger Dynamic RS which is really helping her, she is fussy in the mouth, thick tongue and fleshy lips, also using my massage pad before I ride has helped her back. She is a fjord with long back and spavin in hocks so does not engage to well in the back end. Back man comes every three months and I have introduced long lineing to our routine to help her engage her back and rear end. As you know, I was thinking of going bitless, but think I will persevere with the sprenger for a bit longer as I have been well impressed so far. Hope you find something soon.

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Hm. Might try that after the french link
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. She doesn't have a fleshy tongue or lips. A comparatively small mouth for a big warmblood head
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Glad you have something that works!
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Mine habitually rubs her face after working too, but isnt something I worry about, I think its like a release for her. Sorry to ask, but why are you going down the route of gags and pelhams with her?
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She does it during as well (not having worked hard); in fact, thinking about it, is more often during than after.

The gags and pelhams were so if things got too out of hand, then I would have a back up in terms of brakes. When I first got her she was a bit of a fruit loop - we'd spin and the chances of her stopping if she got going were limited. I have good hands and rode the pelham on the top rein, with a gentle intro to the bottom rein to show her what it would feel like. She came with a straight bar so the pelham wasn't far off the same shape and feel. The gag is a Happy Mouth, so warm and soft, with a revolver centre so no pinch action, and whilst I was only on one rein, it was on the big ring; her bridle has a padded head piece so everything was gentle, with the potential for stonger if it was needed. She does usually stop easily, unless she's having a hissy fit, in which case almost any direction and speed!

Going to try the French link at the weekend and see what she thinks to it.
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