Horse 'snarling'?

LollyDolly

LollyDolly

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Ok, so Sandy has a habit of 'snarling' when being ridden.

I don't know how best to describe it so here, have a picture :D

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You see what I mean? He will open his mouth sometimes too.

He also tends to chew and crunch the bit a lot in his mouth when I first put it in, in fact he won't stop playing around with it for a bit.

He is ridden in a plain sweet iron snaffle that has a lozenge so no nutcracker action :D

I have been told to use a flash on him, but obviously I don't want to cover up the problem as it's obviously causing him some discomfort/irritation so I'd rather get it looked at.

Would you suggest changing bits? If so, to what?

Oh also note that when I first got him his teeth were in a shocking state, he has a wolf tooth removed and it took two sessions for the dentist to correct a wave in his back left teeth that had been developing. However his last corrective session was about a year ago now and he has had the all clear ever since! :D
 
Good for you for not resorting to a flash!!

From what I can see the bit could be too high in the mouth and the joint could be pressing up into the palate where it's just really uncomfortable. Lozenges do have a nutcracker action still although not as much as a plain jointed snaffle. What they do, do, is pull the corners of the mouth down IF the horse is "resisting" the bit.

Is he on the forehand a lot? I would first try getting her lighter in front as I can see some tension in his neck. Ride him in a slightly lighter contact and warm up with some lateral work to get him working through the back and get him to relax that neck. Once he is relaxed through the neck and poll, he will feel less of the tension in the reins and stop setting his mouth against it, also, depending on which rein you are working, relax the inside rein a little more than the outside and keep it soft and ask him to step under rather than go faster.
 
Grumpy Jewel said:
Have you done the other checks- Back and saddle? It may be pain somewhere else. Has he always done it?
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Yes, he has 6 monthly saddle checks and re-flocking and his last physio was about 10 months ago where he got the all clear. I like to keep these things under check as they can be disastrous otherwise!
He has always done it for a far as I can remember, yes.

tallyho! said:
Good for you for not resorting to a flash!!

From what I can see the bit could be too high in the mouth and the joint could be pressing up into the palate where it's just really uncomfortable. Lozenges do have a nutcracker action still although not as much as a plain jointed snaffle. What they do, do, is pull the corners of the mouth down IF the horse is "resisting" the bit.

Is he on the forehand a lot? I would first try getting her lighter in front as I can see some tension in his neck. Ride him in a slightly lighter contact and warm up with some lateral work to get him working through the back and get him to relax that neck. Once he is relaxed through the neck and poll, he will feel less of the tension in the reins and stop setting his mouth against it, also, depending on which rein you are working, relax the inside rein a little more than the outside and keep it soft and ask him to step under rather than go faster.
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Ah alright, so I should lower it a tad then and see how that goes? Oh I didn't know that, would you advise another, kinder bit then or do you think that he'd be fine in his current bit?
Yeah he can be, fantastic! I will work on that now then and see what happens, thanks so much!! :D
 
In both those photos (and in your sig) it looks as though you've got a fair grip on his mouth, which will not help his acceptance of the bit.
 
my horse can do this - hes got very soft 'fleshy' lips - and opens his mouth alot.
i occassionaly ride in a pelham for new lateral work, but i found that with this bit he kept much more still on the bit and didnt 'fidgit' or open his mouth.

but it wasnt due to the bit, instead i keep my hands far more still in a pelham and because they werent constantly tweeking his lips he kept very still and took the contact!....so i worked very hard on keeping my hands still and relaxed when riding with my snaffle and it works - no more gapping mouth :)
 
Sorry when were his teeth last done?
I'd start there.
Are you having lessons currently? A pair of eyes when your riding can be sooooooooo helpful!
 
JFTD said:
In both those photos (and in your sig) it looks as though you've got a fair grip on his mouth, which will not help his acceptance of the bit.
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Ah fair enough, I will get sorting that then! :D

Jessi&Magic said:
Is he half canine?


Sorry :D :D
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Aha I certainly hope not :p

TandD said:
my horse can do this - hes got very soft 'fleshy' lips - and opens his mouth alot.
i occassionaly ride in a pelham for new lateral work, but i found that with this bit he kept much more still on the bit and didnt 'fidgit' or open his mouth.

but it wasnt due to the bit, instead i keep my hands far more still in a pelham and because they werent constantly tweeking his lips he kept very still and took the contact!....so i worked very hard on keeping my hands still and relaxed when riding with my snaffle and it works - no more gapping mouth :)
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Alrighty, I will get focusing on my hands! That is why I love this forum, you can get lots of unbiased opinions! :D

dianchi said:
Sorry when were his teeth last done?
I'd start there.
Are you having lessons currently? A pair of eyes when your riding can be sooooooooo helpful!
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His teeth are fine, they were last done about 3 months ago I think? And that's when it was just a routine checkup and rasp, it was roughly a year ago when he last had any serious work done on his teeth to correct a problem.
No I'm not as I'm away at uni and usually only back for the odd weekend and holidays, I was thinking of putting myself through some serious boot camp over the summer :D
 
Just wanted to post a little update, sorry it's late! I'll be honest, I totally forgot :o

So, I lowered the bit and lo and behold, he was much better! No snarling whatsoever, we have a lot mirrors in our arena so it was easy to keep checking!

I just wanted to say a huge thanks to you all for pointing it out, I can't help but feel a little silly for not noticing it sooner :o

Good job I have you guys!! :D
 
Well done for asking for then taking the advice given, the forum is a great resource, but you have to be willing to listen and learn, which you have admitted to doing.

So pleased to read things are better hope you have a great summer, and yes try a camp there are some really good ones out there, and looking at your location you would not have to travel very far.
 
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