Opening mouth during dressage tests

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Jo C

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So how do I stop this recent habit? He is booked into have his teeth done on Saturday to try and eliminate that side of it but apart from that, any ideas please? This is happening in both a double and a snaffle, I can try a flash but not with the double. Back and saddle both recently checked. It is now being commented on it my tests so I need to sort this asap.
 
If he is opening his mouth it is a resistance... Are you sure there isn't any tension anywhere else when he is working? A crank back noseband will help in the snaffle bridle but it doesnt cure whatever is causing him to do this. Personally I would wait until his teeth are done and then start looking at other options like different bit combinations. One of my boys started sticking his tongue out and I found that putting him in a myler combination snaffle (the dressage legal one) made a big difference - it seems he didnt have enough room for his tongue hence he started to poke it when i picked up a contact!
 
My mare does it as well, she isn;t in a double yet so can;t help on that front, i use a flash or a grackle (depends if bd or BE) for snaffle. Will be interested to see if there acutally is something you can do.
 
I can't see/feel any other tension but that doesn't mean it isn't there. I am taking him to the vets to have his teeth done (has to be fully sedated in stocks!) so I shall have a chat to the vet at the same time I think. If that doesn't work I shall be back on next week asking for bit recommendations!
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He is already in the thinnest bits available as he has quite a small mouth, I currently have him in a Neule Scheule snaffle or a straight bar happy mouth snaffle. Do you think it is most likely to be casued by teeth?
 
Wait and see what the vet says about his teeth before going any further. My big lad has to have his teeth dremmelled once a year and rasped every 6 months as he gets bad hooks. I had him in a neule scheule team up, a verbinden (sp) and then the hanging baucher with a lozenge in the middle until I saw an article about the curve of the myler bit giving them more tongue room and not banging against the roof of the mouth so much. I was able to borrow one from a friend and it has made a big difference! I hope to return to my NS bits once I've completely sorted this problem out but it has made a surprisingly big difference to his way of going.
 
Thank you Panda, thats really interesting, I admit I have never explored the Myler range as its all a bit mind boggling if you ask me!
 
is he soft in hand tho??? cos a little open mouth is how they are they are ment to go....

if you strap up the gob they will lean more......... what bridle make are using... as aren't elevetors (sp) ment to help
 
If you do try a myler, make sure you get the dressage legal one as there are loads that aren't. The ones with hooks on them aren't legal, the one you want looks like a normal loose ring snaffle but it has a curvier mouth piece than the NS bits. I'm looking out for one on ebay at the moment as there are usually quite a few on there at sensible prices
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Don't wish to hijack the post, but my mare opens her mouth, nobody has ever commented on it. I thought it could be a probles.. Anyhow here's a pic of her doing it. She doesn't always do it. Is this acceptable?

Picture595.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
is he soft in hand tho??? cos a little open mouth is how they are they are ment to go....

if you strap up the gob they will lean more......... what bridle make are using... as aren't elevetors (sp) ment to help

[/ QUOTE ]


I'm talking major open mouth mostly during downwards transitions so very much a resistance thing. We use a normal snaffle bridle not an elevator with a very loose noseband as otherwise he sets against me and leans which is why I have been reluctant to put him in a flash as I don't think this will really cure the problem.
 
How is he in a drop. My sounds very similar, i.e sets even more if you put a tight noseband on etc etc. She is much better in a loose drop.
 
sounds more running on forehand, what about a 'big boot ' to say ho!! and getting him to sit on hocks throw in loads and loads of transitiions and at same time also play with shoulder-for and shoulder-out
then pat your head and rub your tummy at same time
tongue.gif


of course assuming, as you say back, teeth and saddle are ok which you're doing or done
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[ QUOTE ]
sounds more running on forehand, what about a 'big boot ' to say ho!! and getting him to sit on hocks throw in loads and loads of transitiions and at same time also play with shoulder-for and shoulder-out
then pat your head and rub your tummy at same time
tongue.gif


of course assuming, as you say back, teeth and saddle are ok which you're doing or done
cool.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I gave him a big boot last night - we shot across the school sideways and nearly ended up in the fence - did get him off the forehand though pmsl and the transitions were great after that!
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I have a lesson tonight so will discuss with my instructor.
 
[ QUOTE ]
How is he in a drop. My sounds very similar, i.e sets even more if you put a tight noseband on etc etc. She is much better in a loose drop.

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't tried a drop I'll have to see if I can borrow one from somewhere - good idea thanks!
 
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