Horse trying to avoid the bit going in - Suggestions?

muddygreymare

muddygreymare

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Basically, in the last few days my mare has started to try to twist her head round/throw it in the air to stop me getting the bit in when i put her bridle on. Once it's in she's fine and is ok with it but has started to lean on the bit when ridden as well in the past few days too but will stop if you give her a half halt. She's in a hanging cheek with a french link. Any suggestions as to why she's doing this? She had her teeth done in may so isn't due having them done so not sure why she's doing this. Do you think I should change her bit? Don't want to put her into something stronger though. Any ideas?
Thanks :)
 
ive heard of someone who puts theirs in a lickit! the horse now doesnt want to take it out.

the horse could also find that the bit maybe hurting him in someway (ie. tooo small ordoesnt like metal or the nutcracker action)
 
It's a french link though - so no nutcracker action. She's had it for nearly a year now, used to be in a single joint eggbutt but she didnt like the nutcracker action of that so we changed her to a french link when we got her the hanging cheek.

So not sure why its a problem now as it fits her and her teeth were done fairly recently but shes suddenly 'gone off' it completely.

Anyone got any other ideas?
 
Could the bit have become roughened? I would check it for any teeth marks etc. If that is ok then I would get a 2nd dentist's opinion. It really does sound like discomfort in the mouth.
The only other thing I can think of is that she has grown and the browband is now too short.
She is certainly trying to tell you something. Well done for listening.
 
I'll have a look at it tomorrow and see. Hadn't thought of that, thanks.
She's 10 though so i'm not sure she's grown? If the bit is ok i'll ring the dentist and see what he says but something clearly isnt right with her.

She twists her head away before it even touches her mouth at all as if anticipating pain maybe.
Not sure why its come on so suddenly - she used to accept it first time before yesterday when she started to do this. I dont want her to be in pain but dont know whats the matter. Would be so much easier if she could talk haha!
 
Certainly sounds like some sort of discomfort!

Could she have an ulcer in her mouth, or an abscess perhaps? The fact she's leaning as well rather shows she's uncomfortable somewhere.

It could also be that she's uncomfortable elsewhere like her back, but is linking the bit to work to pain...so if dentist has no idea, perhaps get her back and saddle checked?
 
Didnt think that it could be her back - she did have an iffy back but she was ok but she has been a bit uncomfortable having her girth done up too so will get the back lady out as soon as I can.

I'll check her bit and then if that's ok i'll ring the dentist and see what he thinks and then ring the back lady too if he finds nothing but she does need it checking out i think as she was def. not happy having her girth done up recently too but that has got worse in the past few days too. Didn't occur to me they could be linked though. Could she be avoiding the bit as she knows shes going to be ridden and that means saddle which means sore back maybe?

Thanks for all your help so far :)
 
My horse did this. One week fine with the bit, next walking backwards and twisting his head to avoid the bit. Also leaning and fidgiting when ridden. This all started very quickly and I'd had teeth done 6 months previously. Turned out to be ulcers when I got teeth checked, but afterwards I ended up having to put his bit in and at the same time give him a treat. Now he's fine and happily looks for the bit as he knows he'll get a treat!

Does sound like some discomfort in her mouth as nothing else has changed and was happy before. Hope you get to the bottom of it!
 
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Just another thing to consider but when you put the bit in your horses mouth and take the bridle of are you sure you arent banging it on the teeth. I see (or hear) lots of ponies teeth being knocked when their owners are doing this. Especailly taking it off. So many people just let the bridle/bit drop of of the mouth rather than carefully taking it out. It doesnt take many knocks for the horse to decide it doesnt want it in!

Smearing the bit in toothpaste helps tempt them. But as mentioned in other posts checking the bridle to make sure it isnt pinching is also a good idea.
 
Personaly I would check her mouth over throughly Before Making appointments or anything like that, check the outside corners of her mouth, if the bit has rubbed you should be able to see, also check inside her mouth for ulsers or sore gums or anything like that.
i have seen you say that shes only 10, well, she'll proberly still be growing, maybe shes just going through a fling.

A girl who i ride with, her male horse seemed to be doing the same thing, He seemed to be showing the same signs as your horse is, anyway, she changed his bit to just a ring snaffel bit, (it had like a plastic coating that was 'mint flavoured') just to give his mouth a rest.
she struggled to get it on him, but as soon as it was on he seemed happy, and now he knows what its like he nearly puts it on himself he likes it that much.
this bit helped alot, seen as now his owner can put any sort of bit in his mouth, and he doesnt move an inch, which was a massive improvment for him and his owner (:
hoped this helped a little (:
clo
 
Do you have thistles in your field? My horse suddenly did this after I had cut the thistles. I saw him eating them but it took me some time before I made the connection! No thistles now and he is back to normal.
 
Thank you for all your replies. Actually i did notice her eating some thistles or something in her haylage as we had a pretty bad bale but after that made sure there was no thistles in the stuff i gave her so will check her today and see if shes hurt her mouth on them somehow.

I am always extra careful when I put her bridle on but i may have accidentally knocked her teeth but surely that wouldnt make her lean and stuff?

I'll check her bit today and check to see if its rubbing her if all looks ok i'll give the dentist a ring and see what he thinks

Any other ideas?

Thank you :)
 
Mine does this, hes in a straightbar happy mouth so no its not the metal etc, had his teeth done last week, and both vet and dentist said hes just being naughty and trying to avoid work, which is very much like him anyway!! i give a treat at the same time of putting his bit in, no problems now!
 
I dont think she is, its a possibilitybut if she wasi think it'd be because she was in pain/discomfort as she loves her work! Will check her bit out today and stuff and see if i can find anything. Will take a bit of carrot or something maybe and see if that works.

Do you think putting her in a happy mouth would help?

Thanks :)
 
Mine does this when the corners of her mouth are sore. I would check them as its possible the bit has rubbed this area so its sore. Really look inside the corners as well. Good luck hope you find the reason.
 
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