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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Whenever I buy a new bit I like to adjust the bridle in the horses stall with no reins or curb strap just to let the horse get a feel of the bit before I actually ride in it. Yesterday I did this with a medium port brand new bit and my horse kept on gaping his mouth and stretching his neck out. Remember, no curb strap so I don't see him trying to get away from that pressure and I had the bit hanging in his mouth with just a smile forming on his outer corners, so not too low or too high. He did this for a few minutes straight and I eventually looked in his mouth to check on the port and where it laid. I'm no expert but it looked alright by me and wasn't pushing or pinching him anywhere from where I can tell.
Anyone have any idea on why he'd just keep gaping his mouth open with no pressure on the bit? |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Possible this horse has a lower palate and the port was getting into it as he chewed, possible he needs his teeth done, possible he just doesn’t like it, or he was just playing with it.
What type of port, chain sides, pretzel, correction? Adding a curb chain will stabilize the movement and may help.
If you feel the horse needs the action of this bit, go ahead and ride him in it - some horses just need educated in a bit a few times.
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | OhMax - 2017-10-15 7:20 AM
Possible this horse has a lower palate and the port was getting into it as he chewed, possible he needs his teeth done, possible he just doesn’t like it, or he was just playing with it.
What type of port, chain sides, pretzel, correction? Adding a curb chain will stabilize the movement and may help.
If you feel the horse needs the action of this bit, go ahead and ride him in it - some horses just need educated in a bit a few times.
Thanks for the input! It's a solid bar medium port bit with movable sides. I'll try to attack a picture of it. He had his teeth done this spring/early summer so I wouldn't think it's that but who knows. I'll try riding him in it today maybe and see if he likes it any better.
https://www.nrsworld.com/nrs/light-weight-medium-port-bit-127024?gcl...
Like this but not exactly the same. |
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| Sounds like he doesn't like the bit. I have found just because I "think" a bit should work perfect on a horse sometimes they have completely different ideas lol I'd try a different bit. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Was it the first time he's had a solid mouthpiece in his mouth? They often act like this about a curb if it's a new idea to them. I wouldn't worry about it. Put a curb stocking stuffer it, pull him out of the stall and put him to work learning about his new head gear!
Edited by classicpotatochip 2017-10-15 1:11 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Well I went on a trail with the but and rust he didn't do anything with it. Actually he seemed to really like it and he carried it well in his mouth the whole trail ride but I don't think I'll ever use it for barrel racing, or at least not on this particular horse. |
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Horse gaping mouth with bit but...