Horse mouth foaming loads!!! any ideas??

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Quartz

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Hi, has anyone got any ideas or suggestions on what I can do to stop my horses mouth frothing quite as much as it does. I have changed bits to a rubber D ring, he seems more comfortable with this but still will froth loads and will eventually get quite agitated. He starts tossing his head etc, when he starts to froth and just seems really annoyed by it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Hi there,
can you give some more information on the conformation of your horses mouth, what working level he is at and his age, and the bits you have tried him in and the problems with these?
Thanks! Bit tricky to think of an answer with the information given!
 
glosgirl said:
Hi there,
can you give some more information on the conformation of your horses mouth, what working level he is at and his age, and the bits you have tried him in and the problems with these?
Click to expand...

I agree. Excess foaming is usually because the horse cant swallow- caused by the bit and/or the rein contact being inappropriate
 
Right, will try and give best info possible. Sorry my first horse so not too sure on correct wording etc. with all these things. OK, he is a Selle Francais, 6 years old. Has done high level competing before I brought him and is now doing intermediate dressage and jumping. I have only owned him for 2 months and am having his teeth checked in June. Have been asked to hold on till June by my stables as they are getting other horses checked at the same time. His previous bit was a loose ringed snaffle bit. He hated this and was a nightmare, so I changed it for a rubber D ring joined bit. As I say he seems better, but only for the first 30 minutes or so. Rein contact is not excessive from me as I only apply slight pressure for transitions, and really don't think I am doing anything wrong there. But as I say any suggestions are openly received, will not be offended!!!! Many thanks.
 
as im sure you know its always good to have some wetness around the mouth but only as if someone has put lipstick on your horse, i was told that too much froth can be a sign of to much pressure on the tongue???? is the horse against your hands alot????/
 
hi,
does he have a large tongue or bars, does his palate give much room for a bit? If he is uncomfortable in a single joint then my first recommendation (I wonder if he works ok at first, but then the discomfort builds up over the 30 mins until he has to tell you ina stronger way that it is hurting him) would be for a french link lozenge (the lozenge gives a more comfortable tongue pressue than a plate). Though if he has a large tongue and a low pallate then he might be more comfortable with a french link with a bend to the bars to help take more pressure off his tongue - like the ns ones and the cotswold sport tongue saver ones. Do you use a noseband with him - what one?
Re the edt, I would get him out asap. Waiting until June really isn't the best for your horse as he is telling you now he is uncomfortable.
With your transisions, try using your seat before relying on your reins? He might appreciate this more as your seat gives him warning of what is coming and allows him to start to react, you can then back this up gently with your reins if necessary.
Good luck with your new boy, exciting!
 
Thank you all so much. That is it spot on, he is fine for about the first 30 minutes, then he starts frothing and its pretty much all over. Head tossing, agitated, even backing up. He does seem to have a large tongue, although I am no expert on horse tongue sizes!!! As for his palette conformation what should I be looking for? Is this something the equine dentist would be able to help me with? Thanks
 
Yes, the dentist will tell you his mouth conformation. I agree with glosgirl and her advice. A rubber single jointed bit would be quite fat and also pinch the sides of the tongue with contact. Single joints also tend to dig into the palette. Can you borrow or buy a frenck link, thin mouth eggbutt or french link thin mouth loose ring snaffle? Or a lozenge if not a french link.
 
No stainless steel will be fine, or is you get a neule scheule one (sp?!) then they are copper mouth pieces which is thought to be a softer metal so nicer for horses with sensitive mouths (they also do the french link lozenge snaffle so could do everything to fit the bill) but they are quite pricey.
 
Hi,
I agree with the others, prob best to do without the rubber as they are very bulky bits which will just press on his tongue. Neue Schule are fab for bits shaped to allow more space for the tongue, cotswold sport also do a really good range called tongue saver (I have their hanging cheek and it is fab!). This one might suit your boy nicely http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120475121914 rather alot cheaper than neue schule aswell. The type of metal they are made from should help him settle to the bit nicely aswell.
Re his pallate, if you part his lips at the gap between his front and back teeth, if his tongue (will prob bulge out a little if he has a large tongue) touches his palate then it is low, so he doesn't have much space for a bit. So a thinner bit with a curved shape should be alot more comfortable for him.
This is a really nicely written article that you might find interesting: http://www.horseridinguk.co.uk/bitting_advice.htm
 
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