I posted a couple of weeks back about my horse's tendency to open his mouth when halting. This has only developed in the last six months so I was keen to explore pain issues before anything else.
Well I've had the dentist out today and sure enough there were some hooks that needed work, Flipo stood like a sweetheart for him (thank god!) and while I was speaking to the dentist, he took one look and said 'mmm I think he's about a 5.5" bit" to which I replied "seriously?! thats what he came in, but we decided that was far too small!"
I asked him to take a look and sure enough, with his explanation, it would appear that the 6.75" bit we've been using is far too big and might be contributing to our open mouth issues.:redface::redface::redface: So I'm on a bit hunt and see this as an opportunity to try something else....if I'm able to use a bit bank now that he might actually be a more reasonable size?! :unsure: Dentist thinks from having a look, that he might be around a 6" so thats where we will start. He's currently ridden in 6.75" butterfly driving bit with lozenge and curb chain. Not too thick for his fleshy tongue and I'm a bit concerned about giving up the curb as he's one uber strong horse with one uber strong neck.
All we're doing is a bit of schooling and hacking out.
In the school he's not good with halting (although I will continue to school for this) and opens his mouth to evade.
He doesn't hold his head up too high, but he can get strong thinking he's going to canter....although once in canter he's dead easy to stop - too much effort involved! I don't have any issues turning...its probably more brakes I'm worried about.
Out hacking he is absolutely fine alone. Unless he gets a fleg and shoots off at a trot/ canter. It might take me a minute to stop him but he will stop. In this situation I wouldn't be able to turn him as he sets his neck. He doesn't go too far though as long as I stay balanced. If I do become unbalanced though, he'll shoot off..but thats not going to be sorted by a bit is it!?!
Out hacking with other horses he can get a bit strong in walk. He doesnt try to take off, he just gets very forward going especially when on the way home or when he's infront and won't come back to me using half halts at all.
In general I use voice commands with him and can stop him at junctions without any issues at all - I think I just worry he might get beligerent on occasion and refuse to stand for too long at the junction.
Cookies and lots of chocolate for all that make it to the end of that!:smoke: Any help or suggestions greatly received.
Well I've had the dentist out today and sure enough there were some hooks that needed work, Flipo stood like a sweetheart for him (thank god!) and while I was speaking to the dentist, he took one look and said 'mmm I think he's about a 5.5" bit" to which I replied "seriously?! thats what he came in, but we decided that was far too small!"
I asked him to take a look and sure enough, with his explanation, it would appear that the 6.75" bit we've been using is far too big and might be contributing to our open mouth issues.:redface::redface::redface: So I'm on a bit hunt and see this as an opportunity to try something else....if I'm able to use a bit bank now that he might actually be a more reasonable size?! :unsure: Dentist thinks from having a look, that he might be around a 6" so thats where we will start. He's currently ridden in 6.75" butterfly driving bit with lozenge and curb chain. Not too thick for his fleshy tongue and I'm a bit concerned about giving up the curb as he's one uber strong horse with one uber strong neck.
All we're doing is a bit of schooling and hacking out.
In the school he's not good with halting (although I will continue to school for this) and opens his mouth to evade.
He doesn't hold his head up too high, but he can get strong thinking he's going to canter....although once in canter he's dead easy to stop - too much effort involved! I don't have any issues turning...its probably more brakes I'm worried about.
Out hacking he is absolutely fine alone. Unless he gets a fleg and shoots off at a trot/ canter. It might take me a minute to stop him but he will stop. In this situation I wouldn't be able to turn him as he sets his neck. He doesn't go too far though as long as I stay balanced. If I do become unbalanced though, he'll shoot off..but thats not going to be sorted by a bit is it!?!
Out hacking with other horses he can get a bit strong in walk. He doesnt try to take off, he just gets very forward going especially when on the way home or when he's infront and won't come back to me using half halts at all.
In general I use voice commands with him and can stop him at junctions without any issues at all - I think I just worry he might get beligerent on occasion and refuse to stand for too long at the junction.
Cookies and lots of chocolate for all that make it to the end of that!:smoke: Any help or suggestions greatly received.
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