Split mouth

[stepahnie]

I wonder if anyone can help. I recently took my horse XC. She was much stronger than I had anticipated.
The outcome was she was pulling/I was pulling so much a crack appeared inthe corner of her mouth. I have had it looked at be ED and he recommended a few weeks off and bongela - loads of it. It still hasn't healed properly.
Has anyone got experience of this type of injury?
Will it ever heal completely and will she be be ablr to be ridden with a bit again?
Any advice experience greatly appreciated.

 

[Tia]

When I bought one of my horses, she had previously been ridden in a twisted wire curb bit. When I brought her home I noticed that on both sides she had huge welts in the corner of her mouth. I cleaned it gently and smothered it daily in Protocon. I then rode her in a hackamore for a few weeks. Her mouth healed up perfectly and she went back to wearing a bit again.

 

[kimky]

Vasaline Vasaline and VASALINE !!! great stuff , my horse is extremely strong at shows and we sometime end up with this problem. i clean the wound and apply vasaline and with in a few days it has healed also i dont want to sound cruel but i still ride her in a bit < she should learn but then again i dont really have to pull on her mouth at home because she is well behaved Ish...? good luck !!

 

[Daisychain]

I had a horse like that, and the only thing which stopped her getting a sore mouth was to use a rubber coated bit.

 

[Laafet]

Tarquin's new Happy Mouth straight bar did that on his first hack out in it and I wish I'd just bought him another soft rubber bit instead. But as Guiness says 'Vasaline Vasaline and VASALINE !!! ' I use the aloe vera pocket one and it's helping but am annoyed, Happy Mouth my ar*e

 

[I_A_P]

millies splits really easily, it had completelyt healed but it had split open after a jumping lesson again after my instructor wqas telling me to take a good pull (hopefully once i get my bitting sorted she wont pul as much= better mouth!!

if it has ever been raw sore i have been told to salt water it or use hemaroid cream to try and harden the skin (shes a sensitive lady) the salt watering heals it quite nicely then i use vaseline everyt ime i ride her just to stop it pulling!

 

[wizzi901]

I have a friend who has this problem continually with her mare.....we have tried every bit, bitless, but as soon as she has bit back in her mouth and takes the slightest pull, it opens up again, given her time off, been OTT gentle with her but she snatches here and there and always does it....grrr

 

[Sneedy]

It sometimes happens if the bit is a bit small as well. I know I was guilty of this a few months ago (such a bad mother!), I felt really bad about it so bought a bit three quarters of an inch bigger and it hasn't happened since. You won't need to rest the horse for a couple of weeks, mouth injuries repair really quickly. Vasceline is great as well!!

 

[Tia]

Not to put down other posters who are suggesting Vaseline, I think it is also wonderful AFTERWARDS and if it is used as a precautionary measure.......however do be aware that it has no healing properties and being waterproof and a barrier, it will seal in all the bad bacteria aswell. If you choose to use Vaseline please make sure that you thoroughly clean the area.

Protocon is an antibacterial and disinfecting ointment, which is also a barrier, but it does continue to work even if you haven't managed to clean the area of all bad bacteria.

No disrespect to anyone, just wouldn't like her horse's mouth to become infected that's all.

 

[stepahnie]

Thanks - It is healing again nicely now as I have been using bonjela many times aday and a big dollop of vaseline before riding. I went for a hack last night and used her pelham. I think I will stick with that as she doesn't pull in it. Thanks again for all your replies.
Re Happy Mouth - as soon as the ED saw her mouth he asked"you don't use a happy mouth do you?"
Stick with metal.

 

[I_A_P]

i agree with tia...io oly use it afterwards to stop it sitting, so the bit can slide on it, but also use something to clean it the wound.
it does heal quite quickly.

 

[I_A_P]

also i have found with happy mouth bits they seem to cause friction and then blister the skin