Monday, May 17, 2010

My horse gets her bit caught in her mouth!! Advice?!?

Whenever I remove my horse's bridle, she jerks up her head and gets it caught in her mouth. After, she stands there in trauma with it stuck behind her teeth. Its hard for me to get it out because I'm 5'2 and she's 16.1.





the problem started occuring about 2 months ago once in a while when she was in a slow twist bit. We then had to switch her to a kimberwiche because well, shes a 6yr old TB mare. She started not liking putting on the bridle too. This then started being a daily occurance and about a week ago I switched her back down to the slow twist bit. It still happens but not so much.





She can't stay in the slow twist for too much longer because it makes it hard to keep her under control while jumping.





What should i do? please help

My horse gets her bit caught in her mouth!! Advice?!?
There is a possibility that you may have several things going on, and all stemming from just one or two things. First of all, I agree, she should be checked by a vet for wolf teeth, just to rule it out...the reason that I say, "Just to rule it out" is because if it were wolf teeth, she would be driving you crazy while you are riding her...and you didn't mention it. I also didn't hear you say that you unhooked one end of the curb chain before you removed her bridle, if you don't, that alone is enough to start this whole mess. I would get a short, sturdy step stool to stand on EVERY time you put on or remove her bridle. Just store it right next to your bridles. It doesn't sound to me like any more than once or twice you might have been in a hurry or a little careless when you removed her bridle and hit her teeth, and after that, she doesn't trust you. So, if you will always be in a position (high enough) to bridle the same way every time, by holding the crown of your headstall in one hand and the bit itself in your other hand and control the bit while you are putting the bridle on. Make sure that you twist the curb chain flat before you hook it and leave at least two fingers space between it and your horse before you hook it. Now, to remove the bridle, do everything just like you did when you put it on, only do it in reverse. The first thing that you do is unbuckle the throat latch strap, then go around to the other side of your horse, so you can see what you are doing and unhook the curb chain....get your step stool and get up on it before you try to do any more. Fasten your halter around her neck temporarily until you get the bridle off...when you do that, she knows that you have her, and you do. Then at the same time that you reach between her ears and hold the crown of the headstall, use your other hand to control the bit by the sides...now, as you lower the headstall, slightly lift the bit over the teeth and out, being careful not to bump anything. While you are still up there on the stool, reach over and hang your bridle closely and halter your mare. After she is haltered, run your hand around her neck, head, whatever she tolerates...don't aggravate her. If you do use treats, now is the time to give one to her. I don't feed treats by hand to horses, but some people do...whatever works. It shouldn't be too long before she starts trusting you again and stop her antics.
Reply:Make sure she is calm and relaxed, then pull the crown over her ears, but hold up the bridle so the bit stays in place. Then, slowly lower the bridle, and maybe she will open her mouth and let the bit drop out. Put a finger in her mouth if she doesn't open her mouth to let the bit out. You might have to stand on a sturdy chair if she lifts her head too high for you to reach. Try not to bang the bit on her teeth, or let the chain on the kimberwick hurt her.
Reply:Check the horse for wolf teeth,





Have the vet evaluate her for mouth issues.





Then spend an hour just applying and removing the bit, start in baby steps and move on to full bridling.





Its just a training issue if cleared from the vet and if you can't fix it, have a professional help you.
Reply:I would say she is probably not too happy about the kimberwicke. I would suggest trying a kimberwicke with copper or rollers on it.





I would also take her bridle off slowly. My mare likes to hold the bit in her teeth before letting it go. I think she is slurping off the last bits of grass slobber. :-) Anyway I let her hold it and she will spit it out after a few moments.





Sometimes horses get sensitive about having their bridles removed because it has been removed too quickly and banged their teeth, but that doesn't sound like your problem.





I would practice bridling her, and offering a treat after you put it on. Rinse repeat. Though giving treats while bridled is not the best thing, it is also better than having a horse that doesn't bridle well!





You could also try and associate bridling with fun things. Put her in her bridle when you take her to go outside in the pasture, then take it off when you let her go (don't leave it on while she is loose!) then put it back on to go back into the barn. The more you practice the better in theory it should get.





Checking to see if she has wolf teeth is a great idea, if so they might need to be removed.





Good luck!
Reply:maybe she's one of those types of horses that has to use a


hackamore %26lt;%26lt;spell check





my horse uses one and he's just fine..
Reply:Ok well then either get a new bit or cause it sounds like that one is either piching her tounge or she just dosen't like it!!!


You could tie her really tight when you go to take it out so she can't jerk her head every where or ask your parent/trainer 4 help!!!!


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