Liking the bit - frothy mouth?

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Hanz

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I know that when a horse likes a bit they foam at the mouth. But when using a sweet iron bit will they salivate [sp] regardless of them liking the bit or not?

Just wondered if i'm being told a false message by somebody.

Thanks
 
I don't know about sweet iron but with normal bits a bit of froth is good, but a lot of froth is very bad and indicates a problem with bit or/and teeth resulting in the horse choking on its tongue hence the excess saliva and foam.
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Some times a horse can froth at the mouth when he is in distress not neccessarily because he is accepting of the bit, I have used sweet iron bits on horses and have not caused frothing at the mouth. Or I would prefer to say a nice wet mouth. Sometimes a horse may salivate on one side of his mouth only, this may be caused if he leans on one rein excessively. So be guided by the feel of his mouth rather than signs of a wet mouth. If he is on the bit etc it does not matter if he has a wet mouth.
 
OK, I have just changed my geldings bit from a rubber pelham to a hanging snaffle, he has 'a nice wet mouth' with the snaffle now, but can I not rely on this being he likes the bit better than his pelham?

Also was told I should buy a certain bit because my horse liked it, it has a sweet iron mouthpiece and I just thought that encouraged salivation anyway
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Best person to discuss bits and what would suit your horse best would be your horses dentist next time he has a check up, I'd been having problems with the new mare being slightly difficult in a straight bar incedentally there was no foam at all but dentist pointed out the shape of her mouth was more suited to a double joint and she now gos beautifully in that, she salivates slightly. its an aurigan bit I don't know how that compares to sweet iron?
 
IMHO I would not take the saliva produced in a horses mouth as liking his bit. I have seen a lot of distressed horses with wet mouths. Do you feel he is happy with his new bit? If so stick with it? Sweet iron is supposed to produce saliva in the horse - but some experts in the field claim horses actually dislike the taste as it is very metallic taste as opposed to no taste as stainless steel is. Think of our cuttlery, would we like it to taste metallic - none metallic seems to be better. If he is producing saliva make sure its because hes happy with the bit and not distressed by it. Without being critical whatsoever IMO it does seem strange that the horse has started to saliva using this bit and not before.
 
He did saliva with the pelham, just not half as much, before hand he was in a dutch gag, metal pelham [straight], loose ring snaffle...well, pretty much everything, theres not loads of difference in how he acts with the bit, when we gallop it takes a bit more strength to pull him back, but schooling wise its not too different. So I dont see a problem in using a milder bit?

Have always been told that if the horse salivates he likes it, [apart from if he is obviously distressed.]
 
If he is happy and you are happy then all is well. Please dont think though the more saliva a horse produces the happier he is - there is a lot more to it than that. Some horses are very good at putting up with things they dont like and unless you are an expert its hard to tell.

Why have you tried so many bits[lol]
 
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