Gum-line?

[HarryMo]

Baling twine question...
I’m a relative newbie and have my horse at a new yard.
I’m finding my feet with my horse and this is the first time I’ve been caring for him by myself.
He’s pretty bolshy so I’m trying to deal with that and build my confidence with him.
At the new yard a guy has introduced me to this gum-line thing?- I’ve tried googling it but nothing comes up...
Basically he’s tied a piece of baking twine to one side of the head collar, threaded it through the mouth- much like a bit- and fed it through the other side, leaving a loop that comes through the lead rope attachment.
You then clip the lead rope to the twine...
Can anyone say if this is something they have heard of or used before...?
He has said it gives more control, admittedly it worked but I don’t want to do anything that will do damage to him or my relationship with him...?
Any help or guidance appreciated
Xx

 

[ycbm]

I'd say that's a really great way to cause your horse some serious tongue and/or gum damage. Don't do it.

If you need more control you can try a controller headcollar or for something stronger use a bit, and for more a stallion chain or chifney.

Forget about damaging your relationship, he isn't your boyfriend, he's a horse and they like leadership and clear boundaries.

You sound like you could do with some help from a trainer, but please take no notice of that particular yard expert.
.

 

[Red-1]

If a horse got loose on a railway line and I needed to control it quick, as an emergency, yes, I might try it. I would prefer to use a rope than twine though!

As a regular thing, no, far too likely to do damage.

Why not simply fit with a bit/headstall over the halter?

 

[Surbie]

That sounds hideous, baler could do an awful lot of harm to your horse's mouth.

Mine can be a bit twittish, he gets led in a bridle on those days. Others on my yard use dually headcollars or a chifney if it's needed.

 

[HarryMo]

Thanks all, should have gone with my gut on it, I’ll look into the dually ??

 

[Pearlsasinger]

A dually is a much better idea, although I personally prefer an old fashioned rope halter. I wouldn't let that fella anywhere near your horse ever again.

 

[AdorableAlice]

What the op is describing is not a gum line.

A gum line is used a lot to lead up racehorses and is placed on the gum line above the front teeth and under the upper lip, it does not go through mouth over the tongue.

 

[Gloi]

http://www.alphahorse.com/war-bridles.html

The post made me think of these. A Fully is a much better option though, or a simple rope halter.

 

[Shay]

It takes a lot for casual cruety to surprise me - and this did. Please don't ever try to control your horse this way. (Bailer twine through the mouth - not a racehorse gum line used correctly) Are you able to get an instructor to help you on the ground? Most horses just need firm boudaries and you need to know how to communicate that to him without cuasing him pain. Outside of that - a dually. But watch the video becuase you need to be able to use it and time the relase correctly. I prefer a dually over a "be nice" or a chain halter because the rope is kinder than the chain and relases more quickly. A good rope halter works well too - but you need to be more experienced with the timing to get the best out of it.

 

[Spottyappy]

Absolutely not.
I have unfortunately been witness to a horse (not mine nor my yard) having its tongue severed by bale twine.
please find someone who can help you in a more traditional way.

 

[Cortez]

A gum line is only used in the most extreme circumstances and is extremely severe. A piece of baler twine through the mouth is just plain dangerous cruelty and could lead to a horse without a tongue.

 

[HarryMo]

Really appreciate all the advice, it wasn’t something I was comfortable with, hence seeking advice.
I will look for someone to assist me with his manners on the ground.
Needless to say, I’ll not have this man guide me or have anything to do with my horse after hearing all these responses

 

[ycbm]

Really appreciate all the advice, it wasn’t something I was comfortable with, hence seeking advice.
I will look for someone to assist me with his manners on the ground.
Needless to say, I’ll not have this man guide me or have anything to do with my horse after hearing all these responses

Well done for asking.
.

 

[saalsk]

Good for you - and well done, it isn't always easy to stand by your gut instinct in the face of someone who could be perceived as more experienced, especially if you recognise yourself to fairly new to it all.

You have a lucky horse and I wish you both the best of luck.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Just to add, if this contraption was used at all on your horse, even just to demonstrate the action to you, the horse's tngue will probably be bruised. Please give him some time to recover before putting anything else, like a bit, in his mouth.

 

[HarryMo]

I appreciate your kindness, thank you for this forum and all the knowledge that can be found here ??

 

[Orangehorse]

Even before getting a Dually halter, have the clip to the headcollar on the side, not underneath his chin. If a horse takes off, or pulls and gets in front of you, you have little control if the rope is under his chin. If it is clipped onto the side of the headcollar, you do have a little bit more control as, in an emergency, you can bring his head round sideways.