Bit and tooth problems?
My new 11 year old gelding accepts the bit fine, but once you seize it on him he immediately throws his head down as if he be choking on it. I know for a fact that it fits him because I've measured his mouth... The weird thing IS he doesn't evade it when I'm riding. Just initially when I put the bridle on. (we may own a bit of a scuffle as he's fighting it, but then he only just stops after a while). It's obviously causing him grief and I don't like putting him through it every time I enjoy to ride him (He gets feisty if left for too long minus exercise)
The dentist is coming sometime this week so don't preach to me about getting that checked; I just wanted to know whether I'm wasting her time (ie. if you think this doesn't have anything to do next to his teeth please let me know)
His previous owners said that he needed a running martingale and a flash nose tie to not avoid the bit, and he did try to avoid it the first time I rode him, but now he never avoids it... Should I use it anyway?
Assuming that the teeth check out OK and are not the problem perhaps your gelding would be happier surrounded by a bitless set up. Dr. Cooks makes a very nice bitless bridle. Then there are a significant variety of different types of hackamores.
If I knew I was doing something that cause my horse "grief" every time I rode him I know that I would be looking into every alternative.
No, getting the dentist out was a great idea. It could basis permanent damage to his mouth.
I would wait and see what the dentists' decree is, and then you can make the decision on weather or not you want to use the martingale. If you own to ride him in the meantime, it might not be such a bad idea to use it afterwards. Otherwise, I would just let him be.
Good luck.
E-bay is a good place to find a hackamore. One of my horses decided a while ago that he'd rather not enjoy a bit in, and he has been going impressively well in a hackamore ever since.
Could he have an excessively thick tongue, or low palate? I would have the dentist check his oral cavity for any answers that may be related to his focused structure. So, even if the teeth are not the problem, it is worth having the dentist come and try to figure out what may be the impose.
Ditto what Gallop said. The behaviour may or may not be related to tooth problems. You didn't say-so what type of bit you're using. Horses all have differently configured mouths - what's comfortable for one may be really uncomfortable for another. If I be you, I'd experiment, starting with a French link, or, better, if you hold one or can borrow one, a Cook's bitless, then go to regular bits (double, single jointed, etc.) The single link snaffles are dutiful for most horses, but some do have shallow palates and it really pinches when the bit folds up into the roof of their mouth. Also, everyone assumes a thick snaffle is so meek, but the fact is, if a horse's interdental space is small, then it really hurts his gums when he tries to shut his mouth. Probably contrary to everyone else in the world, I don't like tight nosebands, average, flash or drop.
As for the running martingale, if it's adjusted properly then I don't see a problem near it, if it's helping stabilize the bit action.
EDIT: Oh, you're in Ireland. Hmm. Too desperate the tack shops there aren't carrying the Cook's. I know you can order one online from the website. Regarding rubber bits - I don't like them because they don't slide powerfully through a horse's mouth and they taste terrible. Preferable is copper overlay as it's sweet and encourages saliva production.
You can try a check bit. This might work.
Answers: There are several reasons your horse could be doing this. Well done for getting arranging to bring his teeth checked, even without the biting issue this should be done at least once a year. I don't personally believe within overtacking a horse so if you find him fine to ride without the flash and martingale I wouldn't go subsidise to them.
One of my horses will show similar signs if the bit isn't high enough within his mouth. I guess he doesn't like it dangling in there down low by his teeth. Once you rob hold of the reins the bit would turn in the mouth and lift so the problem would go absent.
A friend's horse also has a similar reaction in the winter months or whether his metal bit is cold when put in. She warms it up by rubbing it before putting it contained by and he seems happier with this. This would also ease after a short while as the bit warm in the horse's mouth.
If the horse is accepting of the bit once being ridden I don't think it can be the type of bit as I would hold thought it would react worse when a contact comes on the bit.
i agree near sarah, the bit may be too loose. he should have a good wrinkle in the corner of his mouth. also, the certainty that you are not riding with the flash and martingale are a good thing. flash nosebands totally do away with the horse being able to move the bit to a more comfortable position in his mouth and more commonly than not the owners adjust them wrong so that they are actually creating a really uncomfortable breathing restricition for the horse, with the darn entity clamping down on his nasal cavaities.
a thinner (equally gentle) bit may be the solution. you can google happymouth bits. i am sure they ship to ireland:)
