Taking hold of the bit

[Dizzykizzy]

Help! Just had our mare to the dentist today and he said she is biting down hard on her bit to the point she has caused flattened areas on her top and bottom teeth and a ridge behind.
Why does she do this and is there anything I can do to help her?
She isn't strong to ride and is and has been for at least 5 years ridden in a myler.
Dentist said we could try a rubber but but he thinks she will chew it.

 

[0ldmare]

Maybe I'm wrong.... but surely her bit doesn't sit in a place where that can happen? Sounds odd

 

[Dizzykizzy]

Thanks for replying but I thought that too, the dentist seemed to think she is actually taking hold of the bit and biting on it?

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

My horse has this, he grabs the bit with his teeth and leans on it. My dentist has corrected his teeth as much as possible and advised a rubber bit, a thinner bit or a bitless bridle to try and ease the wear on his teeth. He is much better now his teeth have been done. He is a bit lazy behind so I work on getting him forward and building up his hind quarters.

 

[Dizzykizzy]

Thanks Lavender, were you aware he was doing this with his bit as we had no idea? She always seemed fine with her mouth.
I have been googling and some adverts say that loose ring cherry roller or waterford can help. Anyone have any ideas?

Dentist also said some people just tighten the noseband really tight so they can't open the mouth to get a hold....I am not even going to try that suggestion!

 

[Dizzykizzy]

Any more advice welcome please before this drops off the bottom of the page!
Should I consider a cherry roller/waterford type bit or just go for rubber and let her chew it?
Ta.

 

[soulfull]

I would try any kind of roller, or the waterford. While I don't say strangle her, do make sure the nose band is tight enough, maybe even consider a drop nose band too??

 

[Lollii]

My horse used to do this in a rubber bit (teeth marks on one side of it) he is very soft in his mouth but he sometimes bites the bit, leans & snatches, I now have him in a Waterford and he is ok in that (except hunting!) have you a bit bank so that you could try one?

ps I think you buy a waterford 1/2 inch bigger than your normal sized bit.

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

Hi dizzykizzy, I didn't know he was holding the bit with his teeth. He just felt very heavy in my hand at times and would lean. He would also yank his head down to try and munch whilst hacking. I have a greedy coblet!!