help...anyone with experience of wind problems in tbs?????

O

oliveoylloveshossies

Member
Joined
28 August 2011
Messages
17
Visit site
HELP.....

here is my problem....

I have a 3 year old tb filly - never raced or trained to race, I have owned her since she was weaned.

I backed her about 6 weeks ago and everything is going well, except she does the strangest thing by trying to breathe through her mouth when the bit is in.
There is no pattern to this behaviour, she does tend to do it in the school more than out hacks, but it isnat always in fast work, I can literally be walking round the school having just got on and she does it.

When I lunge her with the cavasson or headcollar even in fast work she does not do it or show any signs of having a wind problem, also she quite happily gallops about the field and does not show any of the above signs.

I probably did not spend as much time as I should have getting her used to the bit, spent more time getting her used to saddle etc.

As soon as I put the bit in her mouth she just stands there with her mouth open. I am using quite a thin happy mouth loose ring snaffle with a peanut and a flash.

I have spoken to my vet, they arent that interested in seeing her lunging in a cavasson, they just want to admit her and scope her.... I personally think thats a bit hasty????

I was wondering whether it could simply be her inexperince and not being used to having a bit in her mouth???

I dont do much on her at all, due to her age, usually just short hacks - the ocassional canter in the field.

Does anyone have any suggestions???

Any advice would be gratefully recieved :-)
 
Shoot me down in flames if I'm wrong, but I thought that horses were physically incapable of breathing through their mouths.

Firstly, has she had her teeth checked - around this age they are changing from baby to adult teeth and can be quite uncomfortable, but I am sure you have done this.

When you started to break her in did you use a breaking bit with keys in so she could get used to the feel of something in her mouth and play with it? She sounds as though she simply doesn't know why the bit is there and is opening her mouth in the hopes it will drop out!

I know it's old fashioned, but you could try putting on her bridle with the breaking bit in and just let her stand in her stable and get used to it, with you keeping an eye on her.

Do you have a professional yard near you who break in youngsters and who you could ask for a bit of advice? As they are doing this everyday there are not many problems they have not come across.
 
Take the flash off for a start so that she has the freedom to move her jaw without restriction, they're only a fashion accessory after all, plenty of time to change it once she is relaxed and riding nicely in which case you might find she doesn't need anything more than a cavesson at all. Give her a lot more time to learn to mouth properly too and only when she's comfortable, properly comfortable should you start riding her.
As it's not a veterinary problem (because she doesn't do it at rest or even when charging around her field) that makes it a symptomatic problem from the way you are handling her, she is not relaxed enough to do what you ask. At her age she shouldn't be rushed else you'll ruin her forever.
 
Hey thanks for the advice. My gut feeling was that the vet was being a bit ott, wanting to take her in and scope her. I never used a breaking bit, but I will go back to basics, take flash off and just spend more time with the bit in, ie standing in the box.
Thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top