Mouth opening advice

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Tirna

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Hi All,

I recently bought a lovely 6yo Cob X TB, we've been doing some schooling, hacking and fun rides with a view to trying some unafilliated dressage later in the year once we've gotten to know each other. We're getting along great, but I've found that he gets a little strong when cantering in company on a hack and opens his mouth when I try to steady him. He doesnt do this at all when schooling or hacking alone, only when he gets excited in a group. I currently ride him in a D-ring jointed snaffle and cavesson noseband and I had his teeth checked 3 weeks ago - everything fine. My instructor suggested a flash, but I want to make sure there's nothing else going on before strapping his mouth shut! Would I be better using a different bit for hacking? Could it be the nutcracker action of the jointed snaffle that he's reacting to? One of my friends has suggested a drop noseband but I've never used one in the past so wouldnt be sure how to correctly fit it. Any suggestions very welcome! TIA
 
He is opening his mouth to evade the contact, as I am sure you are well aware!

I would persist without a noseband for a bit longer, try bridging your reins and keeping them very still so that he can only fight against himself.

I prefer a drop noseband to a flash and I would rather use the drop as a next stage than use a stronger bit - there is nothing to stop you trying out different mouthpieces (for example a lozenge) to see if this makes a difference.
 
If the nutcracker is hitting the roof of his mouth, he WILL open his mouth. Do you have a lozenge bit you can try?
 
Thank you both, I was pretty sure that he was doing it to evade the contact but wasnt sure if this was made worse by the single jointed bit action. My friend uses a NS snaffle with a lonzenge on her Section D so I could certainly give that a try on a hack and see if the mouth opening persists. Thanks!
 
I would never use a jointed snaffle, it does not make sense, they were developed in the days when a blacksmith made bits, we have moved on, and the lozenge is the way to go.
Cherry rollers and waterfords are worth thinking about.
 
Try a French-link and as LJR said, bridge your reins. They're very easy to keep control of when you use this method - I rode my strong Cob in a French-link and bridged my reins as and when I needed to. I never needed a stronger bit or to strap his mouth shut - there's no need really and I cringe especially at your instructor suggesting you use a flash with a single-jointed bit.
 
Thanks both. Sounds like a lozenge is the way forward. He's strong but not to the point where he's ever gotten away from me, I was more concerned about the mouth opening and root cause, will try bridging for extra security. Totally agree about the flash, I had the same reservations...
 
Bonkers2 said:
I would never use a jointed snaffle, it does not make sense, they were developed in the days when a blacksmith made bits, we have moved on, and the lozenge is the way to go.
Cherry rollers and waterfords are worth thinking about.
Click to expand...

You might need to tell my 2 horses this. I went down the lozenge bit route, the contact became inconsistent, back to a good old fashioned single joint and they are much happier again. There are plenty of well designed single joint bits out there now that remove the old fashioned nutcracker action.

OP if you do start adding a noseband for fast work I would go with a grackle.
 
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