Horse's jaws banging together in trot?!

[BeckyD]

Why on earth are Ronnie's teeth clattering together with every trot stride?

I've literally done two days of the newly-introduced trot, and am still shuddering at the memory of his teeth clattering together with every stride. If I put him on a loose rein in trot it doesn't happen (but he gets faster and faster and raggedy). But if I do take up a contact to keep him steady (with my leg on), he does "round" a bit and gives the impression of softening, but this jaw thing is a real problem. Seems to me like a tension response? I can tell from the shadow he's throwing on the wall that his mouth is very slightly open, which is very unlike him. He's in the same Neue Schule tranz loose ring snaffle as old days, same loose fitting cavesson noseband and tack otherwise all the same.

Could it be his response to pain? Could he have purely forgotten how to move both his legs and his head at the same time?

(this is Ronnie, after all)

Help

Am I better to try to control the trot or not - bearing in mind he's effectively had 15 months off proper work and I don't want him charging round, but at least he's not banging his teeth together??

 

[Natch]

Hmm.Does he do it when in a headcollar, e.g. on the lunge/trotting up etc?

Have you had his teeth checked recently?

 

[BeckyD]

I've not *noticed* him doing it when lunged/trotted up but we're all so busy staring at his dodgy legs I can't 100% guarantee that I would have noticed. Teeth done in the summer, with power tools! Due next summer supposedly.

 

[CBAnglo]

Firstly yay trot!

Secondly did you have his saddle refitted? He has been off work a long time and his body has definitely changed. I found my anglo doing the same thing when bringing him back into work. He didn't have the muscles to hold himself together in an outline and opened his mouth in response so he didn't soften in the jaw, rather tensed it as he braced against me. It took a couple of weeks of fittening work to get him to stop doing it.

Also don't assume the old tack still works. Have changed bridle (also ordered a new noseband) and am going to have a play with the bit.its like riding a new horse.

 

[lucemoose]

haha it means hes totally and utterly relaxed! I was taught by v v v good trainer and was terrified but it truly is utter softness...

 

[BeckyD]

I haven't had the saddler out as she came out when I brought him back in to work in January, and according to my templates he's near-as-dammit the same shape now as he was then. I looked at the saddle fit from every angle two weeks ago and was happy with it.

I have had to put my bridle down one hole as he's grown a bit in head length and I kept thinking it needed to go down in January, but otherwise everything really does *seem* ok. I did think about the bit but I have to say that is thankfully a very easy area for him - he goes well in just about any bit

I guess that could have changed

I'm so relieved to hear you've come across this too though, thank god. Should I try to contain him and suffer the teeth-clattering, or let him freewheel round? We never got half-halts fully established by my seat as he was still so green when injured - so although I'm doing my best to half-halt without my reins, it's falling on slightly deaf ears. As soon as I take a contact, the teeth-clattering starts.

ETS: The saddler will come out if we get the go-ahead by the vets in 2 weeks' time. Sadly I don't think we will get the go-ahead as he's still not right (though is massively improved).

 

[BeckyD]

[ QUOTE ]
haha it means hes totally and utterly relaxed! I was taught by v v v good trainer and was terrified but it truly is utter softness...

[/ QUOTE ]

Really?!?! Hehe that may be true for top notch horses but I don't think Ronnie and I would be that lucky as for something to go right

It's really unpleasant to ride - how on earth would you get used to that? *shudder* It set MY teeth on edge just hearing it.