Teeth grinding.

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Loubiepoo

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Went to view a potential new horse over the weekend - was lovely to handle, lovely to ride just the type i'm looking for. But when he was being ridden he was griding his teeth, he didn't seem in any discomfort, was forward going and easy to tack up. Do you think its something I should be concerned about? Obviously if I decided to get him I would be getting him vetted but just wondered what people though initially.

Thanks!
 
Often a sign of tension or stress but sometimes it can just become a habit.

IMO very irritating at best and at worst can stop your dressage competition hopes stone dead.

Not something I would put up with personally.
 
My horse does it hunting when very excited and I won't let him go playing!!! Dosen't do it any other time though. Can be very annoying, why would anyone want to grind there teeth!?
Can be seen as tension but can become habit. Depends what u want to do, if dressage, you'll get bad marks but jumping/hacking/xc should be no prob!
 
Generally a sign of irritation, anxiety or one stressed horsey. Horse won't ever stop doing it, so if you do buy, get used to it - from my perspective, it is VERY irritating to listen to.
 
I do dressage with mine and he is always grinding when he concentrates! Had full MOT's, tack made to measure etc so deffo not tension/stress
However if you take food in his stable he'll do it when he's cross! Must get a video of him doing it.... he looks and sounds lethal...
Hsan't stopped his dressage career... in fact have never had a judge mention it on his sheets!
 
Ok, well thats good then - its not like I'm wanting to go to a really high level, maybe just novice/elementary. When I asked owner about it she said it was probably just because he had someone new on his back that he didn't know. When she rode him I wasn't close enough to hear if he did it with her on board.
 
Mine does it when she is waiting to be turned out and also if she is getting stressed or worried about what you are asking her to do in the school, she mainly does it when frustrated.
 
Ralph does it to attract attention...usually around feeding, the more you say no, the more he does it
grin.gif
 
My old horse did this quite a bit. He was a very tense anxious type. Personally if you want it for dressage I would look elsewhere
 
My old mare did it a bit when she was pi##ed off with schooling & my friends horse does it when he's concentrating. Only ever saw either do it when ridden & tbh it never really bothered me.
 
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