**horses lit slides through mouth!!?**

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el_Snowflakes

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(EDIT: SORRY *BIT* NOT LIT!!!!!?)

Hi all,

sorry for 2 posts in 1 day!

It doesnt seem to matter what bit i use (i have even tried bit guards) my horses bit always slides through her mouth and i can see it poking out the right side and nothing at the left. sometimes i feel she leans her head to the right and walks sideways towards the left. I notice this especially when wer out hacking as i need to keep the left leg on to prevent her going up the kerb! she doesn not seem to be in pain. She had her saddle checked recently and no problems, her back and teeth were done about 7 months ago. Her back was fone and her teeth were seen to be v sharp so they were filed down. It was an equine dentist who carried this out not a vet. I wonder if its anything to do with her teeth? its as if she holds the bit that way. Doesnt matter what i do, as soon as it goes in her mouth its squint. I have even tried dropping the bridle down a hole so that the side which is being pulled through is lower (if u know what i mean) any suggestions? id love to hear from anyone else who has this problem. She is due her jabs soon so i might get the vet to have a look at her teeth also as im not too sure about the dentist that saw her last time
 
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Check your own straightness. On the purely practical a bit with cheeks won't pull through - but this isn't solving the real problem.
 
Firstly, check that the bit is sitting correctly in the mouth and that the cheek pieces are not too long - there should be 1 or 2 LITTLE creases in the corners of the mouth on each side.

Secondly, ensure you are not hauling on one side only - you should keep a pressure on the right rein even when you are trying to turn left - you should also be using you legs to turn as well as your hands. This will be explained better by a good instructor.

Thirdly, you could try a fulmer cheeked snaffle.
 
Have this exact problem with our shire x, have brought him a fulmer snaffle although not been easy as he takes a 61/2 inch bit so had to get one of eBay that is ex military stock!!
 
I would think that she is uncomfortable with the bit. Its not nessesarily the teeth that will cause the horse pain but the bit itself. The mouth is very sensitive, and i think your horse is trying to tell you loud and clear that the bit bothers her.
If taking away the bit is not an option, and going bitless, then you need to teach her to come off pressure better. Ideally you should use a bit with cheeks so that the bit cant come through the mouth. Start on the ground, and gently ask her to bend her head round to where your foot would be when mounted. What you should be looking for is a soft mouth, and she doesnt resist or pull against you when you ask for this. When she brings her head round and relaxes, you should release the pressure on her mouth and let her straighten up. By doing this you will teach her that she will get a release of pressure as soon as she softly brings her head around for you. But its important that she is soft. She shouldnt be chewing the bit or pulling against you. You should not have to put much pressure on at all to bring her head round. Practice bringing her head round on both sides softly, and when its good, try it when mounted. She should keep her feet still when you do this, and bring her head round with a light contact.
This excercise should teach her to come off the pressure on her mouth easier, and hopefully be able to steer her better. But its important that you aim for lightness. She should be relaxed and soft in her mouth when you have taught this exercise.

If this doesnt work and she still holds the bit funny, she may just be trying to tell you that she doesnt like the bit and you need to find an alternative. People dont realise how sensitive the mouth is, so its important to listen to your horse.
 
I had this problem with my boy when I got him. My instructor said it was because he was not working straight - one of his hind legs was weaker than the other and was therefore not working as well hence he was not truely straight. The problem showed up in the contact exactly as you describe. We have done loads of exercises to correct this - leg yield, shoulder in, spiralling circles, half pass, transitions within the pace, just get his hind legs working and therefore make him straight and working equally.
 
Thanks Jenniharvey

I actually do the exercise you described sometimes and she does it well. She does seem to accept the bit well and always has lots of saliva flow. I put vasaline on the corners of her mouth as she does sometimes get small rubs due to her pulling on the bit. At the moment she is ridden in a Neue schule tranz lozenge elevator
 
Chester15 said:
I had this problem with my boy when I got him. My instructor said it was because he was not working straight - one of his hind legs was weaker than the other and was therefore not working as well hence he was not truely straight. The problem showed up in the contact exactly as you describe. We have done loads of exercises to correct this - leg yield, shoulder in, spiralling circles, half pass, transitions within the pace, just get his hind legs working and therefore make him straight and working equally.
Click to expand...

I think this may be our problem too. She overreaches/forges (not exactly sure which) and this tends to only happen with her hind left. I wonder if she is a bit unbalanced and this is coming through from the front end? Does anyone know who would be the best person to assess this? i have the chiropracter coming out soon- would he be able to help?

ps. we do lots of leg yielding which she is actually fantastic at along with transitions etc. Away to start working on travers aswell.....
 
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