Grinding Teeth

[Tash28]

My horse has just started to grind her teeth when being ridden on the flat. I broke her in august and she has always been in a happy mouth snaffle and happy. Recently i have been asking a bit more of her when schooling and she started to grind. The last few sessions i have gone back a step and kept her relaxed on a loose rein, but she still does it a little, It seems she does it more when she takes the contact and works nicely into the bridle, not necessarily when she is tense.
does anyone have any suggestions to stop her doing it, before its a habbit? her teeth were done just a couple of months ago, so i have ruled out that.

I was thinking of trying a few bits, like a sweet iron, or could this make the problem worse but changing things around in her mouth to things she is not used to?

 

[Chermar]

Hi Tash!

I have a mare that grinds when I'm doing flat work too, My instructor told me it was tension but she's happy at what she does and physically there is no reason for it.. So I just accept it and I have tried several different bits, metals materials and none makes a difference!

 

[little_flea]

Maggie does this too - more when she is a bit wound up, but she sometimes does it even when she is completely relaxed and happy. Tried a few different bits but made no difference. You can try putting toothpaste on their teeth (loads of it) before you ride, or using a bar of saddle soap to rub over teeth. None of this stopped Maggie though, and the saddle soap made her FURIOUS.

Just make sure you compete dressage at places where the judge is behind glass, or in a car...