Working well but making mouth sore

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Rebels

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I have a chunky 6yr old sports horse, he hadn't had any 'contact' work until the end of the summer when I got him so would chuck his head around when any rein contact was tried. He started to work in an outline in a cavesson and full cheek, loose ring snaffle which he loved but rubbed the side of his mouth. This was changed to an eggbutt happy mouth snaffle which he destroyed in 2 rides by chewing through it. We were waiting for the dentist to visit also. He then went into an eggbutt steel snaffle but he hated that, he also tried a neue schule eggbutt, myler comfort snaffle and a French link. All of these he hasn't liked and have rubbed the side of his mouth. He then had his teeth done, nothing major found and a bit seat put in which has stopped the head chucking. He then snapped 2 bridles in 2 days so went into my spare grackle bridle with the myler comfort snaffle which he really likes. However every time I ride the skin at the corner of his mouth is getting rubbed. This is with Vaseline, clean bits,they all fit well and were approved by dentist so I'm at a loss. He worked very very well yesterday, evenly into both reins, quite strong so working on self carriage and suppleness but was chuffed only to find both side of his mouth were rubbed. He needs to school 3-4times a week at the moment else he starts going backwards schooling wise. Ive bought him a hackamore but I cant really dressage in it. Any advice appreciated, I don't want to have to rest him hence the hackamore.
 
I used to have that problem with my mare, I solved it (for her) with a neue schule, tranz angled lozenge loose ring with bit rings. The snaffle for the head throwing evading and the bit rings for the rubbing. I know its not dressage legal but for a test you could take them off and run the risk?
 
Had nothing but problems with Neue Schule bits, too inconsistent.

Those who dont like Happy Mouths dont use them correctly, the measurements need to be spot on and the fitting is essential. We all use them at our yard as do many of the world dressage teams, due care and attention and these bits are fantastic.

Try the new copper rollers, soothing and moisture throughout, best bits we've ever used.
 
Thanks. He helpfully made his own decision by snapping both of my full cavesson bridles (one he attached to the stable door and one broke when my charming 5 yr old bit him over the door) so he has to use my grackle with a Myler comfort snaffle. That and lots of vaseline seems to be helping plus hacking out in a hackamore.
 
When you say it's the side of his mouth being rubbed, do you think the rubbing it being done by the bit bars or the bit rings?

You could try bit butter (but it's pretty expensive); I have found it much better than vaseline for bit rubs.

Or try putting bit guards on if the rubbing is higher up and just take them off for competing?
 
FfionWinnie said:
Put some bit wrap on. (Latex bandage on eBay).
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I did this with my 6yo who was similar to the OP's (as in not had real formal schooling until recently and was v fussy in his mouth and about the contact). He came to me in a fulmer French link but I found he just chomped at it all the time and wouldn't settle. Tried a few other things (Myler Comfort Snaffle, rubber straight bar, sweet iron...) Put him in a Happy Mouth FL eventually and it was a huge turn around. Even took him cubbing in it! I had to put wrap around it though and he was seeing the EDT at the same time to sort out niggly issues. He only had it in for a couple of months max but it seemed to be the turning point for him, really settled him down. Now he's in a bog standard eggbut stainless steel FL and is happy in it.

I'd go back to a Happy Mouth covered with wrap and maybe put bit rings on too. I'd also avoid anything with loose rings as I find they pinch. My HM is a hanging cheek as the pony seems to prefer something that keeps the bit more stable. He detests a loose ring and I find they tend to rub him too. You could also put Sudocrem on the corners of his mouth before you ride, that helps (used to do that with my older horse who pulled like a train out hunting, even in a waterford gag, Sudocrem helped stop the bit from rubbing).
 
Rebels said:
I have a chunky 6yr old sports horse, he hadn't had any 'contact' work until the end of the summer when I got him so would chuck his head around when any rein contact was tried. He started to work in an outline in a cavesson and full cheek, loose ring snaffle which he loved but rubbed the side of his mouth. This was changed to an eggbutt happy mouth snaffle which he destroyed in 2 rides by chewing through it. We were waiting for the dentist to visit also. He then went into an eggbutt steel snaffle but he hated that, he also tried a neue schule eggbutt, myler comfort snaffle and a French link. All of these he hasn't liked and have rubbed the side of his mouth. He then had his teeth done, nothing major found and a bit seat put in which has stopped the head chucking. He then snapped 2 bridles in 2 days so went into my spare grackle bridle with the myler comfort snaffle which he really likes. However every time I ride the skin at the corner of his mouth is getting rubbed. This is with Vaseline, clean bits,they all fit well and were approved by dentist so I'm at a loss. He worked very very well yesterday, evenly into both reins, quite strong so working on self carriage and suppleness but was chuffed only to find both side of his mouth were rubbed. He needs to school 3-4times a week at the moment else he starts going backwards schooling wise. Ive bought him a hackamore but I cant really dressage in it. Any advice appreciated, I don't want to have to rest him hence the hackamore.
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very interesting to read as my sec D mare can be similar and chuck her head around to evade. Ive had the dentist out to her and her teeth were fine, just the usual annual stuff needing done. My mare also goes best in a full cheek french link but like you Ive found it can rub the corners of her mouth. I use vaseline and it may not be correct, but I actually dropped it a hole on both sides. It does look like its sitting slightly lower than you'd want it but the rubbing is so much better and actually, she seems to seek the contact more too.
 
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