Horse opening mouth when ridden - what to do?

[NellRosk]

my mare has a massive and odd shaped head for her size, she is 15hh and is in a large cob size head collar on it's last holes or a full size on first holes. she is also very big under her jaw and across her brow-she had extra full brow bands but they were still snug, I tried 3 sizes of the micklem before settling on the small horse size. It was snug around her jawline at first but is now on the second hole there so has given a bit as it has worn in.

She can join the club then thanks, think I might hire one from that company that let's you try them.

My first thought was "change your instructor". I hate the idea of ignoring what your horse is trying to tell you and forcing it to submit instead.

I would check that the bit you are currently using isn't scratched or damaged in any way and then experiment with different bits loose ring/eggbut, single joint/link/mullen mouth/port and different materials to see which suits her best. I would also experiment with moving the bit up/down to see if that makes her more comfortable.

I don't currently have one! So I need to find a new one and book some lessons when I get chance. Thank you, I'll try a few different ones and see how she reacts. I think a change is needed.

 

[NellRosk]

Hire some different bits from the Bit bank have a couple of schooling sessions with them each see what she likes best. Borrow (or pick up second hand ones cheap) some different nosebands, have a play with them as well with different bit combos.

When I started the MooCob I put in a straight bar rubber loose ring, and boy we were not happy! It moved too much for her, had no play in it and it was way too thick for her tongue. Swapped to a eggbutt snaffle, nope still not it! Swapped to a thinish Happy Mouth Feeling Flexi full cheek, perfect! Doesn't wibble all over, loads of tongue room, can have a little mouth at it and most importantly, it wasn't made of metal! Turns out she was hissy fitting (first 5-10 minutes, mouth open, head all over the shop) over it being cold in her mouth. So now if she does have a metal bit it needs to be soaked in hot water for a few minutes before popping it in her mouth (just to take the chill off of it)
Now she's in a JP Korsteel eggbutt sweet iron french link and loving it, the curves in it work great for her, reasonable price for one as well.

It's funny how fussy they can be isn't it! That's interesting that she doesn't like a cold bit in her mouth, I always try to leave tack on for about 5 mins before I ride anyway to let it warm up on her because she's a sensitive soul!

Because she opens her mouth!!

OP - Have you had a chiropractor check her over? Often its because the poll is out, you could also try some stretching exercises with her before you get on - carrot stretches, either side and between legs.

A drop may work far better as the drop part is further around than when using a flash where the bottom strap lies across the sensitive nostrils. I've had a lot of success with head shakers by removing the bottom strap.

A drop though is supposed to be used with a bit with cheeks such as a Fulmer, Full cheek snaffle or Tom Thumb (spoon snaffle) aas these bits keep the back strap in the correct place - with a ring bit they have been known to lie across the bit ring, compressing the bit into the side of the mouth.

No, haven't had a chiropractor out! Would a physio do a similar job? As I said, she is due an appt. Oh I didn't know they were supposed to be used with those bits, thanks! I do have a fulmer which I broke her in but then changed as she was starting to lean slightly.

 

[NellRosk]

Try a bit that takes up less room in her mouth. NS lozenge bits are lovely but don't suit every horse. Mine goes better in a NS Demi Anky or a very slim french link with a drop noseband. She has a big tongue and a small mouth so struggles to close her mouth at the best of times.

Thank you, definitely going to try a few different bits

Do you think she is truly up to the contact? You say she is very light, but sometimes that is as much of an evasion as being strong in the hand. Alf is a very established horse, but he's very clever about evading a true contact, whilst feeling lovely because he is working in an advanced outline, and is very light. He ducks behind the contact, sticks his nose on his chest, opens his mouth and taps his teeth when he's not truly on the job, particularly when he is excited about doing something he considers to be fun! It's not related to my hands, because he does it just as much, if not more, when I'm hacking on a loose rein.

If I get after him a bit, get his nose out in front and work him up to a slightly stronger contact, he stops messing about with the tapping/mouth opening, and is far more focused. I ride him in a single jointed eggbutt with curved mouthpiece and a cavesson noseband - which seems to suit him better than anything with a wibbly wobbly mouthpiece.

Well that's the thing, I actually think she is! Because my gelding sounds very much like Alf, he's 15 and established and I can tell when he's working with a nice contact or if he's hyper flexing his neck and evading the contact. But every horse is different so nelly might be evading I don't know!! Some lessons are definitely needed though, I need an instructor to tell me how crap I've got! Ah okay, definitely going to try an eggbutt in case she doesn't like the movement of a loose ring. She's a pain though having a 6" bit, wish she had a slightly less giant head so she could share with my gelding

 

[SpringArising]

A horse with an open mouth isn't 100% happy or through to the contact.

She objects with her noseband shut for a reason. And is happier with no noseband because she can evade the bit pressure easier.

There is no easy solution, and those of us who are honest will say that we have all been there and done that! It's most likely either a schooling/riding problem or the but doesn't suit her.

I'd avoid a snug flash/grackle - use the mouth opening as a guide to when things are improving.

A good sympathetic trainer should help

I agree with this, but glad you're taking the steps to change something!

Is she the same on the lunge or when someone else rides her? Do you ride with light hands? A lot of people have very heavy hands and don't even realise (sorry if you don't - just chucking thoughts out here!).

 

[NellRosk]

I agree with this, but glad you're taking the steps to change something!

Is she the same on the lunge or when someone else rides her? Do you ride with light hands? A lot of people have very heavy hands and don't even realise (sorry if you don't - just chucking thoughts out here!).

No no, all thoughts appreciated I'm really slack and tend just to lunge her in a rope halter (ducks for cover) but when I do lunge in side reins/ Pessoa she doesn't open her mouth as much, although she still does it. It's when I ask for more contact that she objects. My mum is an AI so I'm sure she'd shout at me if I had heavy hands! Also for anyone reading this and asking why I don't have lessons off her... We tried that years ago and it didn't work out

 

[NellRosk]

Double post!

 

[SpringArising]

No no, all thoughts appreciated I'm really slack and tend just to lunge her in a rope halter (ducks for cover) but when I do lunge in side reins/ Pessoa she doesn't open her mouth as much, although she still does it. It's when I ask for more contact that she objects.

Hmm. Could she be a bit tight through her back maybe, or a bit sore somewhere? It sounds like she's fine as soon as she's asked for more of a bend?

Also for anyone reading this and asking why I don't have lessons off her... We tried that years ago and it didn't work out

I can very easily relate to that!

We get on like a house on fire, but as soon as I'm on the back of a horse and she's telling me what to do :tongue3::rolleyes3:

 

[NellRosk]

Hmm. Could she be a bit tight through her back maybe, or a bit sore somewhere? It sounds like she's fine as soon as she's asked for more of a bend?



I can very easily relate to that!

We get on like a house on fire, but as soon as I'm on the back of a horse and she's telling me what to do :tongue3::rolleyes3:

Very valid suggestion, I also want to get her saddle checked again by someone different. I got it checked a few months ago (has had same gullet in since she was 4) and saddle fitter said it was fine. But she's changed and developed loads in 2 years so I don't see how it can be!

Lol yes!! I usually end up having a strop and saying 'well you get on and ride her then!!' :redface3:

 

[milo'n'molly]

Where are you based? Maybe someone could recommend a suitable instructor

(I realise West Yorkshire pm me if you like)

 

[Frumpoon]

I've got a little baby horse, recently acquired, 6 years old....lovely lovely little dude, mouthed constantly when bridled, had vet out ASAP and turned out poor creature had never ever had his teeth done, EVER?! One rasp later and he was happy as Larry under bridle...must add previous owner advised that a flash be used to snap his mouth shut......

 

[crazycoloured]

you could try the bevel range of bits.they do a loose ring ported snaffle.iv bought one for my mare who is fussy in the mouth and she loves it.

 

[Tnavas]

No, haven't had a chiropractor out! Would a physio do a similar job? As I said, she is due an appt. Oh I didn't know they were supposed to be used with those bits, thanks! I do have a fulmer which I broke her in but then changed as she was starting to lean slightly.

Best the chiropractor first then followed by a physio - works best this way with humans

 

[Tnavas]

you could try the bevel range of bits.they do a loose ring ported snaffle.iv bought one for my mare who is fussy in the mouth and she loves it.

They are lovely bits - shame they won't let you use them for dressage. I put one on a friends daughters poony that was lethely fast cross country - they couldn't believe the change, he was controllable and went really well in it.