what do you do .......

[Gentle_Warrior]

if your horse opens his mouth when riding, primarily when asking for halt out hacking, no loss of control is felt at any stage, would you clamp the mouth shut ?

or would you, like me, leave it alone.

I am a believer of horses do things for a reason, and clamping mouths shut will only make the problem worse.

What do you do ????

 

[JustKickOn]

If it doesn't effect his way of going then I wouldn't.

 

[bex1984]

Mine does this occasionally - no apparent reason for it although am having his teeth checked to make sure. If all is well with his teeth I'll just leave it alone, tried a flash but he didn't seem to like it.

 

[Coffee_Bean]

Bean did that, no particular teeth problems (a little bit rough but dentist couldn't get near enough, so he has to come back in a few weeks with sedation

, but he had a quick feel and says there is nothing wrong) She leaned on the bit with her mouth open, so I put a flash on and problem solved

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

forgot to say, tack, teeth etc are all fine

 

[jumpthemoon]

I'd work on getting hte horse to listen more to my leg and seat aids for halt so I didn't have to put so much pressure on his mouth. I'd aim for just needing to close my fingers round the reins and use my other aids to back this up - you should find the mouth will stay shut then

 

[Cahill]

talking of horses doing things for a reason....was tacking up yesterday an my mare was fidgiting and i got cross and shouted.anyway,came back from my ride,turned her out and went to pick up grooming kit only to find an ants nest in the corner where i had tied her.i felt sooo bad.

 

[Shilasdair]

It might be that you are tensing through your hands slightly as you ask for halt - try to give the reins just before she halts (it takes a mental effort, I find) and see if that stops her.
Or try different bits - my TB mare was initially broken in a large soft nathe and opened her mouth. I eventually realised it was because she had a small mouth....and the bit was too big (duh!)....put her in a small french link and she stopped.
S

 

[Skhosu]

well, I have just #upgraded' my cavesson to a grackle for xc as control was becoming a serious issue
result: calmer, happier horse as he understands I'm in control and he will move on or collect when asked. If I 'let him do it because there was a reason' I'd not have made the turns, I'm posting pics tomorrow, I don't think he looks unhappy..