What should i do....

E

express_75

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My mare went hunting on Boxing Day (only her 2nd time out), she's only 4. She was out all day & ridden by my friend in a sweet iron snaffle and flash and i've got to say that the corners of her mouth are very sore; on one side it's very scabby and hard and that other side is quite pink. Now, im meant to be taking her tomorrow to a children's meet as i've never been hunting before - i was SO looking forward to it but seeing her mouth like that has made me have doubts...

What should i do?? Can't stand the idea of her in pain for the sake of a day out....
 
[

What should i do?? Can't stand the idea of her in pain for the sake
of a day out....

[/ QUOTE ] surely you have answered your own question?
tongue.gif
 
As Rema says and you can also bathe her mouth with warm water and salt, that should help it heal a little too but it does mainly need rest from the bit to heal properly.

Personally and please don't take offence at this, but I think you've asked an awful lot of a four year old on her second day hunting to do a full day and only a two day break before you want to take her again. She will be exhausted mentally as well as physically, she just won't have been ready for that amount of mind boggling work. This has also shown through her mouth problem now; if she had been really ready, that should not have happened. While it would be disappointing to you not to do a full day, please think of her and give her an easy part day; you'll reap the benefits later whereas if you keep pushing her too hard now, you could have problems later on with weakness. We sometimes forget that a four year old is still really an undeveloped baby. Sorry, end of lecture; I hope she feels better soon.
 
I totally agree with you MFH, it was a friend that took her and said that she'd take her for a short while not the whole day as she is not ready for it. Im more than happy to let her recover and take her another time.

She's my first horse and some people just take over, im not pleased with the way her poor mouth is.

Thank you all for your advice.
 
Well done Express_75 for deciding to leave her at home on this occasion. There will always be another day.

Also, whilst I am sure some people may disagree with this, it may be better to consider a slightly stronger bit that she will back off from, rather than someone having to haul on her mouth with her in a snaffle and causing this discomfort.

Whatever bit a horse has in its' mouth is only as severe as the hands which hold it. So a harsher bit but with sensitive hands will give more brakes and require less pulling back from the rider.
 
Hey, I agree that you should leave her for another day but u mentioned she is ur first horse. Don't let other people take over - I'm sure you have saved well to buy ur first horse and no doubt she is ur pride and joy, don't feel bad about saying no as you're the one who will be left to pick up the pieces if anything should happen.

I hope you have a lovely time with her and just enjoy getting to know her and having fun!
 
express you sound a very caring owner and don't beat yourself up about it. Give baby a few days off and start off again a little bit wiser! We have all been there! xx
 
Echo the rest, well done on putting your young horse first and keeping her home. Also, your horse, don't let others rule you.
 
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