horse messing with mouth when ridden

Aidey

Aidey

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I don't really know how to word this, when I ride my mare she kind of makes a popping noise with her lips, like moves her bottom lip/chin open and shut but constantly which makes the noise. I hope you can understand what I mean. Even when she is being cooled off, walked back to her stable, I have dismounted, she will still be doing it and only stops when I have taken her bridle off. She does wear a flash. I was just wondering why she may do this? or is there any way I can stop it? She is an ex-racer and also sometimes head shakes but thats a whole other story!
 
Sounds like she isn't comfortable in her mouth.

Why is she in the flash? I know they can have a purpose but I mostly see them on
- for no real reason at all (most common I think!)
- because owner is scared of horse being strong (regardless of if horse is evading bit)
- because horse is unhappy with bit and flash straps mouth shut

What bit is she in and why?
 
Tickles: Not had her very long, shes ridden in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge (its the bit she came with and I didn't feel i needed to change it)
I bought her from her breeder who told me she had recently had her teeth done before I bought her so I wouldn't need to get them done for a while.
Not long after buying her, when I would ride her she would be constantly messing with her tongue swinging it from side to side so I put the flash on and that's when she started with the 'popping' noise.
Any ideas? Think I should call the dentist or is it not likely to be her teeth?
 
I think the dentist would be a good place to start, she doesn't sound comfortable in her mouth and her bit choice doesn't ring alarm bells! Your dentist will also be able to point out important aspects of her mouth conformation so you can then use that knowledge to pic a bit that is likely to be comfortable for her.
Is she more settled without the flash strap - my mare hates anything with even the suggestion of a restriction and will concentrate on battling with it! Remove it and she is chilled and happy! Might just be she doesn't like the feel of it?
 
She doesn't seem much different with or without it, It's just now her bottom lip flaps open and shut constantly instead of her tongue flying out each side of her mouth lol
 
Def dentist then, she really doesn't sound comfortable and now you have shut her mouth she is just changing how she expresses it!
 
I had a 14.2hh JA jumping pony who used to work with her tongue out to the side and her bottom lip flapping. She had all the checks done and was jumping successfully at JA level. She was well known on the circuit at that time for her unusual name and flapping lips and tongue! (Albeit she never head shook!!!)

She went on, after I sold her, and successfully competed in PC area eventing!

So dont worry too much it might be just her/his way!

x
 
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