What would you guys do?

Rosie2407

Rosie2407

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My little horse has been having some trouble with her teeth over the last 6 months.

My dentist and vet are still working on this, she is due for more treatment (which basically involves opening up diasteme etc etc) in July.

In the meantime, my vet says I can just ride her as normal and that she shouldn't be any different.

She being a bit of a nightmare. Everything is sensitive - her poll, her jaw and her mouth. I'm really having trouble finding something she seems comfortable in.
She is the type of horse who is very forward going, needs a lot of exercise and gets very excited therefore can be very strong.

She is IDxTB, I'm not entirely sure whether her tongue/lips are particularly thick, all looks fairly ordinary to me.

Have stopped using any noseband at all as she objects to having anything tightened around her jaw so things with curb action are out really.
She is tight around her poll (physio has given us exercises to tackle this) so trying to avoid anything that will act on her poll.

Have basically got a wee happy mouth eggbutt at the moment and it is totally and completely ineffective for her. Need some brakes!

What do you think - should I just stop riding her? I have guilt..... am so worried that she is too uncomfortable or is she just so used to being uncomfortable that she hasn't realised the problem has actually been improved by the vet.....

Have talked to vet again, he keeps just assuring me there is no reason I can't ride her.
Dentist due again in next couple of weeks

Help!!
 
I was thinking that too - loose schooling or lunging. I find when mine gets stuck and seems to just fight, if I stick him on the lunge/loose for a bit he has to work out what to do himself. Gives them a good chance to let off some steam in a controlled way too.
 
I would forget the bit and try a hackamore or the scraw - thing bridle (sorry). When I had a horse with teeth probs, it really worked a treat until it was all resolved. Def don't try another bit for now, give bitless a go and see how you get on. sm xxx
 
I'd try a bitless option with caution. Maybe check her reactions while you're on the ground. If you've had to remove her noseband (I assume you don't mean a flash, but just something straightforward) then bitless might give her the same feel.
I know what I'd do. I'd stop riding her until the dentist had given the all clear. Then I'd take her back to basics as if she was a young horse, and find out exactly when the problems start. I wouldn't even put a noseband on, and I'd start with a simple bit, get her responsive to that in the school and at walk and gradually stretch the horizons. A couple of weeks off being ridden isn't going to kill her.
 
Tinypony said:
I'd try a bitless option with caution. Maybe check her reactions while you're on the ground. If you've had to remove her noseband (I assume you don't mean a flash, but just something straightforward) then bitless might give her the same feel.
I know what I'd do. I'd stop riding her until the dentist had given the all clear. Then I'd take her back to basics as if she was a young horse, and find out exactly when the problems start. I wouldn't even put a noseband on, and I'd start with a simple bit, get her responsive to that in the school and at walk and gradually stretch the horizons. A couple of weeks off being ridden isn't going to kill her.
Click to expand...

Ditto this.
 
Hi,

yeah bitless was my first thought too. I tried her last night in an english hackamore but was aware it might not be brilliant as uses curb action too.

It wasn't really any use. She was far too strong in it and was definitely disliking the curb action - when she started to get strong and I was having to take up a stronger contact she was just dropping her head and pulling me forward so I ended up just cooling her off and giving up last night.

Lungeing and loose schooling are good options for us I know and I think this will maybe need to be the way forward for now.
Unfortunately her treatment is going to be ongoing and am looking at a lot longer than just a couple of weeks off. I feel a bit worried and sad that maybe I'm not going to be able to ride my lovely wee horse again for a long time:(
She normally enjoys her work so much and gets so excited. I hate seeing her like this.

It's not the end of the world for me - I would still keep her even if she could never be ridden again cos I love her to bits. I'd obviously far rather she was healthy and pain free but I know she'll miss her work... Poor wee Rosie :(


I gues it's just a matter of wait and see and let her have some time off the ridden work in the meantime. Just wanted to moan lol!!! xx
 
This may sound really stupid (and a bit scary!!) but why not ride her with a really loose contact and just pretend you are (and obviously do do this) working on your seat aids completely. Just for a play around. So if walk you keep her moving around the school using your seat and leg, moving all over the place.. And in trot use your rise to control the speed and again your seat and legs to move her arond the school. Basically what I am saying is have a play around and forget the head (bridle) and just use everything else.

You don't have to into the school and do it everyday (and don't have to do much) but it might help supplement the lunging/loose schooling suggested. Just see if you can do a little bit of schooling work with without the use of reins! (only if your mare doesn't buck though!!lol)

xx
 
thanks heidirusso,
that sounds like a good idea - could do a routine of all three. That would keep her nice and busy till her gob sorted out!

Looking forward to getting the all clear and getting back to basics with an instructor and really get the best out of her again.
It might be 2 months, might be two years but I'll just have to stick it out!

Thanks for cheering me up xx
 
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