Dressage - is mouthing (ok, drooling) necessary?!

[kit279]

I've been noticing a little something about my chestnut horse - he does mouth the bit quite well and salivate but not consistently in the school however he always froths up when working on grass. However, my grey horse completely drools as soon as you get on him. Is that something I should take note of? I know some horses are more mouthy than others but is it something that I should be aiming for if the horse is working correctly through?

 

[kerilli]

if the jaw is relaxed the horse should be mouthing imho.
this is one reason why i HATE tight nosebands, especially the loop-and-return cavesson ones that can be done up v tight. they prevent the horse from moving its jaw etc.
i like to see a horse with a relaxed and slightly mobile mouth. not champing at the bit, but with a bit of "ice cream" around its chops!

 

[Halfstep]

Excessive drooling can be a sign of a problem, usually a blockage in the neck (tension) that means the horse isn't swallowing properly.

As kerilli says, the ideal is a bit of "lipstick" which indicates that the horse is gently chewing the bit and has a mobile jaw.

 

[kirstyhen]

My horse foams at the mouth like a rabid dog! The Dentist the other day commented how most horses produce less saliva than normal when sedated... Not Hen, he literally drowned the poor bloke!

IMO he foams excessively, usually through being tight at the poll and refusing to swallow whilst having a bit in (if given mints whilst bridled, they will still be there when his bridle is taken off, squirrelled away in his cheek!). He is better after being treated by the Chiropracter.

I want him to have a wet, relaxed mouth, not one that is streaming with gob!!