Posted 2014-06-04 11:49 PM Subject: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Expert
Posts: 1302 Location: California
I don't know what to do... It is just a twisted snaffle bit. I only ride him in a bit when I go to a barrel race which has been a couple times a week as I am just starting to season him. I work him in a halter any other time. The corners are all raw and bleed easily now even with 5 days or so inbetween races. It isn't pinching him (bit guards) but just sensitive skin right there. I can tell it is painful when I put the bit in his mouth. He works good still but I feel terrible. He is super light to ride but during a run is very strong.
Is there anything I can put on it to help it heal faster or to numb the soreness when I compete? Neosporin? Teething gel?
Posted 2014-06-04 11:53 PM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Expert
Posts: 1302 Location: California
Also adding that running him in a hackamore is out of the question and I think even a smooth snaffle will make his mouth bleed since there are sores already there.
Posted 2014-06-05 10:23 AM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Expert
Posts: 1302 Location: California
Thanks guys! I may try wrapping the bit and vaeline or udder balm every time as well. I think a smooth snaffle may be a little better but the skin is so sensitive and thin that any bit may make it sore still.
Posted 2014-06-05 10:41 AM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Expert
Posts: 2097 Location: Deep South
A smooth snaffle will make a big difference, once the mouth has completely healed. If you keep putting a bit in before it's healed completely it's going to keep busting open.
Posted 2014-06-05 1:16 PM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
little_bug - 2014-06-04 11:49 PM
I don't know what to do... It is just a twisted snaffle bit. I only ride him in a bit when I go to a barrel race which has been a couple times a week as I am just starting to season him. I work him in a halter any other time. The corners are all raw and bleed easily now even with 5 days or so inbetween races. It isn't pinching him (bit guards) but just sensitive skin right there. I can tell it is painful when I put the bit in his mouth. He works good still but I feel terrible. He is super light to ride but during a run is very strong.
Is there anything I can put on it to help it heal faster or to numb the soreness when I compete? Neosporin? Teething gel?
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Why do you say you cannot ride in a hackamore or combo bit when you ride him at home in a halter?? ....
you have trained him to work off his nose and not his mouth so this may be the reason you think he runs strong bitted up ...
There are several things in your description that could be causing the corners to sore up and bleed. .. Most O-Ring bits are cheap and poorly designed with lots of slop where the ring and bit are connected that are guaranteed to pinch the corners.
Using bit guards especially the rubber ones can create the tenderness at the corners ... throw them away. You would not need them if the bit fit the horse and // or the use of your hands see sawing the bit thru his mouth was not creating a problem.... especially when using a twisted wire bit.
Look at the smile at the corners of his mouth and slack off to barely having half a smile in the corners... jacking up the corners to 2-3 wrinkles is never a good idea.
Putting anything greasy on his hurt spots is going to make the corners more soft and sensitive. Horse spit heals as quick as anything and if you can use some watered down hydrogen peroxide with a cotton swab it will help heal and tuffen the area up.
The major item is to learn to use his standard bit and getting you a well designed bit that will not eat at his corners and take a close look at what you are doing with your hands. ... It may be time for you the rider and the horse to go back to bit basics and get tuned back into each other ...
My old bit maker sold his patents to Clinton Anderson so this well designed anti-pinch Offset O-Ring bit is now available thru his store. It works just like the badly designed O-rings without the pinching. ... Learn to use a snaffle bit one rein at a time while riding two handed and how to pick straight up to move left or right along with leg cues ... and leaving slack in the outside rein making your turns one handed. I think you will be amazed how easy it is and see improvements in your times once your hand movements become habits and horse knows your cues.
Here is a picture of the CA bit that has 3/8's x 5 inch smooth mouth, copper bars with the offset design ... start with this one and then decide on buying one of the other mouth pieces that are available.
I included a standard O-ring so you can see the difference in how the offset is protective vs the O-ring ...
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2014-06-05 1:24 PM
(BIT OFFSET O RING 5 IN 2 PIECE SWEET IRON COPPER BARS - 2.jpg)
Posted 2014-06-05 1:50 PM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Just a fun comment ... this bit is used for straight line movements and not for horses running at speed... and even these high priced bit sellers do not show how the bit actually hangs in a horses mouth ...
A D-ring eggbutt snaffle is what we use on race horses which allows them to take control of the oversized bit and run into it so we can have a controlled runaway to win a race ...
Here is how this bit hangs in a horses mouth ... unbelievers just hold up a headstall with any snaffle bit on it and take a look ... how it hangs is how it fits in the horses mouth ... lol
Posted 2014-06-05 2:39 PM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Expert
Posts: 1302 Location: California
Thanks everyone. This is not a super cheap bit but I do like the looks of some of the posted ones. He has super thin and sensitive skin everywhere on his body, not just his mouth. I can ride him in a halter to trot/lope circles but by no means would I say he is super broke in it or I could work the barrels in it or anything. I took two years to redo this entire horse and he is very responsive and broke in a snaffle bit - any other bit is too much. He is a very hot bred horse and has A LOT of go but when I say slow down he drags his butt which is a HUGE difference from when I bought him. He needs someone to help him though throughout the pattern when speed is added as he is still young and gaining confidence.
Posted 2014-06-05 3:26 PM Subject: RE: Bit making corners of mouth raw...
Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846 Location: Florida..
BARRELHORSE USA - 2014-06-05 2:50 PMJust a fun comment ... this bit is used for straight line movements and not for horses running at speed... and even these high priced bit sellers do not show how the bit actually hangs in a horses mouth ... A D-ring eggbutt snaffle is what we use on race horses which allows them to take control of the oversized bit and run into it so we can have a controlled runaway to win a race ... Here is how this bit hangs in a horses mouth ... unbelievers just hold up a headstall with any snaffle bit on it and take a look ... how it hangs is how it fits in the horses mouth ... lol
Bit making corners of mouth raw...
