Horse evading bit and opening mouth, solution?

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crystalclear

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If a horse is being ridden in a NS starter bit and goes nicely but has started to get a little bit strong when jumping, opening the mouth/crossing the jaw and throwing the head up due to excitement, what would you do? Change a bit to one thy has poll pressure or add something else?

Ps: teeth, saddle, back checked.
 
I'd try a bitless bridle. My horse was becoming increasingly worse to ride due to his head shaking and fighting to open his mouth.
I tried him in a sidepull and haven't looked back! Control is ten times better than with a bit!
 
When did you have his teeth last done? Horses teeth, particularly younger ones can grow at an alarming rate and cause discomfort
 
The teeth were checked just a few weeks a go. The horse is nearly six now so I do like to keep on top of it. It is mainly happening when jumping as she gets super excited as its all new ish to her, bless
 
How is her general schooling work and work over poles, on the ground and raised? Afraid it's practice, practice, practice til pole work doesn't seem exciting at all and is a normal part of her work. ,
 
I know practice is all part of it but she was opening her mouth out hacking yesterday as well so it's not always jumping as I initially thought. She goes out often so gets enough practice of hacking. Anyway thanks for your help an suggestions everyone :)
 
Perhaps try a flash nose band and see if she is stiller in her mouth with that. My current horse is very soft and still in his mouth and wears a NS Team Up and cavesson. My previous horse who I also brought on in exactly in the same way did open his mouth and put his tongue over the bit occasionally so he did wear a flash. Good luck!!
 
My first reaction would be to look at the riders hands. Then a different bit, not one with a different action, but if one with a different mouthpiece would suit the shape & size of the mouth & tongue. Then just schooling.
 
It might just be down to excitement. I check my bitting by seeing how my horses behave on the flat. That's my baseline but I have nearly always had to change up for XC etc. however with my 6 year old who is behaving a bit like yours, I actually am putting that down to needing more jump schooling and not looking to change anything just yet.
 
Bizzarly.... I solved this problem with my cob...by coming at a different angle.
I had actually had bits made for hi....don't ask:)....as he has a very fat tongue and I kept going for the slimmer type bits.....until I had a bit of a light bulb moment and thought..
'what if actually he doesn't like all the movement a narrower bit causes?'
So I tried a bog standard racing loose ring snaffle...the fat one....and I have a different horse!
Mouth closed.....loads of froth...and a happy boy.
Worth a try?
Best wishes
Bryndy
 
Totally NO to strapping the mouth shut !! The horse is telling you something, you may need to go softer, or even try bitless for a while ? Good luck :)
 
Littlelegs said:
My first reaction would be to look at the riders hands. Then a different bit, not one with a different action, but if one with a different mouthpiece would suit the shape & size of the mouth & tongue. Then just schooling.
Click to expand...

This! Sounds to me like the horse is trying to tell you something, and imo strapping her mouth shut will make the problem worse!!!
 
Alyth said:
This! Sounds to me like the horse is trying to tell you something, and imo strapping her mouth shut will make the problem worse!!!
Click to expand...
This.

The worst thing you can do is to strap the mouth shut. Experiment with different mouthpieces and different materials until you find something that the horse is happy with. Are you sure that the bit is wide enough, now that the horse has grown (I presume)?
 
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