Scrunching or grinding the bit?... I have a secret weapon! *pics*

Chloe_GHE

Chloe_GHE

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So I've kept fairly quite about this but have been using them for about 2 weeks, and am TOTALLY AMAZED at how they have eliminated ALL Dustry's bit scrunching and the associated noises. :) :) :)

He has also produced THE best work of his life since I started giving them to him, just wish I had discovered them sooner...

Intrigued?....

Here's my new (now not so) secret weapon http://www.gifthorseeventing.co.uk/2012/06/secret-weapon-atlanta-gumbits.html

Has anyone else used them?....

I have posted this in here because I am so impressed with them, I wanted to let other comp riders know so that they could try them themselves if they have similar bitting issues.

Dippy eggs and soldiers on offer, oh and a large helping of jubilee cheer ;)
 
I've seen them advertised, but thought "wouldn't a polo do the same!???"

I always bridle up with a polo or super strong mint, and then might give one after warming up....and always one after "good boy" moments. :)

I started bridling up with them simply because my horse would mouth the reins or the cavesson given half a chance - so I would palm a mint and offer it in a oner with the bit, and never get him chewing my reins any more.
 
they aren't like polos, they are more like soft mints. They have that sticky/chewy end to them, which is what I think encourages the salivation.

I am feeding him a polo with them too, with the hope that I can slowly wean him off them, once he has learnt to be soft and relaxed in the jaw.

I think he likes having a treat too, so it puts him in a good mood ;)
 
Ahhh, I see - longer lasting then - and smaller than the soft mints so they don't turn in to a massive gob!

Yes, bribes work on my horse too!
 
Lots of top dressage riders have pots of sugar lumps mounted on gateways to thier schools for this reason. Horses have one on way in to encourage salivation and one on way out as a reward. I use same tactic with mine worths rather well :)
 
Hmmm i think if i bought these i would end up eating them! The only thing i'd say is it seems to more "mask" the problem rather than fix it, i think for 39 quid id rather buy 20 packs of soft mints and cut them up myself!!
 
I'm with FreddiesGal here, they seem like expensive softmints!

BUT...if you can afford them, and they work for you, then go for it! Glad they seem to work for you and your horse :)
 
FreddiesGal said:
Hmmm i think if i bought these i would end up eating them! The only thing i'd say is it seems to more "mask" the problem rather than fix it, i think for 39 quid id rather buy 20 packs of soft mints and cut them up myself!!
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hahahha that's very resourceful! They aren't exactly the same as softmints but that is probably the closest thing I could think of.

The great thing is they don't mask the problem, he isn't scrunching his bit any more because his mouth is so much wetter and accepting. I'm hoping after a whole packet he might even forget he used to scrunch and we can just use polos/sugar instead ;)
 
Thicko question here :(. What do you mean by scrunching... my boys had a life long tongue habit, drawing it back and messing with the bit and everything weve tried has failed :(
 
Weird question.... how big are the treats? And what do they smell like?

I always give Fig a sweetie before riding, but he only eats carrots or herbal treats. I rule out carrots on competition days as it makes him look like he's bitten his tongue.

He won't eat sugar, polos, other generic horse treats.... Fussy swine.
 
How interesting. Mine chomps on the bit so might be worth me trying. Maybe I'll give her some soft mints to see if it helps and then think about buying some because they are quite pricey... If it works though :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Louby said:
Thicko question here :(. What do you mean by scrunching... my boys had a life long tongue habit, drawing it back and messing with the bit and everything weve tried has failed :(
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you know when you are riding and you can hear them scrunch on their bit, it's a sort of 'uuuur uuurr uuuurrr' sound?...you would know if your horse was doing it.

they might help your lad....never know...
 
nikkimariet said:
Weird question.... how big are the treats? And what do they smell like?

I always give Fig a sweetie before riding, but he only eats carrots or herbal treats. I rule out carrots on competition days as it makes him look like he's bitten his tongue.

He won't eat sugar, polos, other generic horse treats.... Fussy swine.
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hhhmmm....they are sort of the size of a tic-tac but round, not a lozenge shape like a tic-tac. Uuummmm trying to think of a reference point for you....a little smaller than a pea I would say.

They don't smell of anythign, they taste just sugary (not minty)
 
my instructor uses apples for the same effect - gives white foam rather than carroty orange (to the person who can't give carrots for that look)- very expensive way to soften the jaw :eek:
 
Vickijay said:
How interesting. Mine chomps on the bit so might be worth me trying. Maybe I'll give her some soft mints to see if it helps and then think about buying some because they are quite pricey... If it works though :rolleyes::rolleyes:
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yeah good point, if softmints work use them! this is a horse we are talking about though, so chances of the cheaper alternative working?....slim to none ;)
 
coss said:
my instructor uses apples for the same effect - gives white foam rather than carroty orange (to the person who can't give carrots for that look)- very expensive way to soften the jaw :eek:
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yes it is! but I'm hoping once he's learnt to soften I can switch to either less or a cheaper alternative.

Although if they last me 2 months that's only 64p a day ;) (see why all my money goes on my horses?... I'm good at convincing myself it's not that expensive)
 
Chloe_GHE said:
hhhmmm....they are sort of the size of a tic-tac but round, not a lozenge shape like a tic-tac. Uuummmm trying to think of a reference point for you....a little smaller than a pea I would say.

They don't smell of anythign, they taste just sugary (not minty)
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Hmm...might be able to force one down into its' mouth!! I might try putting one in a teeny tiny handful of feed to trick him....!
 
coss said:
my instructor uses apples for the same effect - gives white foam rather than carroty orange (to the person who can't give carrots for that look)- very expensive way to soften the jaw :eek:
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Fig won't eat apples :( Or pears!! Decided it doesn't like parsnips now either :mad:
 
PucciNPoni said:
How about cucumber? I'd heard cukes have the same affect. or is that effect? Hmmm...grammar police help!

You could pretend he's a junkie and rub it on his gums? :eek:
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I had never even thought of cucumbers... I'll give it a go (I bet it won't eat it!).

LOL!! He would probably let me do that you know, he likes having his tongue tickled!
 
Christ I need the opposite! Anything I can use to stop him salivating? He's like a bloody dog drooling everywhere, over anyone who comes within slobbering distance!

He even blows bubbles - green ones which float up and then 'ping', usually on me!!
 
Woodykat said:
Christ I need the opposite! Anything I can use to stop him salivating? He's like a bloody dog drooling everywhere, over anyone who comes within slobbering distance!

He even blows bubbles - green ones which float up and then 'ping', usually on me!!
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hahahaaahh how funny, apart from getting pinged by spit bubbles! yuck!
 
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