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Veteran
Posts: 160
 
| I have a 3 year old who will gap her mouth open unless she has a caveson on. I typically ride her in an o ring snaffle and she seems irritable. I ride with light hands and really just try to guide her with my seat and legs vs hands to keep her from being irratated. Her teeth were done a month ago. So my question is should i keep trying to get her to accept the bit or try a hackamore out? Or any other suggestions? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| paturninburnin89 - 2015-09-02 9:45 PM
I have a 3 year old who will gap her mouth open unless she has a caveson on. I typically ride her in an o ring snaffle and she seems irritable. I ride with light hands and really just try to guide her with my seat and legs vs hands to keep her from being irratated. Her teeth were done a month ago. So my question is should i keep trying to get her to accept the bit or try a hackamore out? Or any other suggestions?
Try taking it up a hole and see if that helps her. I know our 3yo gets snotty if his bit is too loose. He likes to have it 3 or 4 wrinkles on both sides (smooth o ring), and he works his best with it like that. Perhaps try a different mouthpiece if that doesn't work, like a 3 piece or maybe a chain mouth and see if she doesn't like that better. Some just plain don't like the nutcracker effect. |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | Her learning to be accepting of the bit at this point is crucial. You may have to play with mouthpieces to find something that she is comfortable with, but floating the reins at her and not touching her face is going to come back to bite you. |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Ok that makes sense. I will try several types of bits tonight. I was thinking a 3 piece would probably be best. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | Because of the breeding process today.We have horses with smaller more refined heads.In the process have created a horse with a very shallow mouth.There is no room for a mouthpiece.The mouthpiece is always hitting the roof of their mouth.Bangin on it They try to get away from that pain and cant.Then you pull Most always when they gap their mouth its from pull.And when pain gets too much they get aggressive called hot and nervious anxious.Their head is in a trap.When trap their head and it hurts they become fearfull.All starts there most always.
When you take the trap or bind off their head you take the fear factor out that takes the flight out.Because a horse is an anima of flight.Anytime you hurt,scare,surprise,confuse them Their tendancy is to run.Yous is to pull You pul they push.Get in a push pullng war You cant win.They are too strong.
Most of the ones come here are fearfull to a degree.When you give them that relief take them out of the trap They relax and focus.
All most problem horses want is relief. Want to save them selves/ Some its instant and some it takes time.The real shell shocked ones it take time to build trust and just like people some have been pushed over the cliff.
Take it out of their mough and put it on their head.From 40yrs of it.
Food for thought
A horse that works out of fear.Doesnt very long
Edited by clampitt 2015-09-03 10:26 AM
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Put a 3 piece or a chain on her and ground drive her until she learns to get over it. I'm all for using what they're most comfortable in when it comes to running barrels, especially in the later stages of training, but not teaching one to accept the bit as part of the foundation is a mistake IMO. The only exceptions is if they have a deformity that makes it nearly impossible to pack a bit. Shallow pallet doesn't qualify as there are bits that are easier for those horses to carry. (3 piece, chain, mullen, thinner, etc) I had a horse with shallow pallet/thick tongue and once I had him broke really well, I rode him only in hacks, but I could ride him around in a bit. He didn't like it, but he could do it. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I would try a 3 piece dog bone snaffle. I always worked from snaffle to dog bone and the ones I rode liked the switch. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | My first step would be to try a different mouthpiece. Most horses don't like single joints and coming from so many years in english-land, I have seen a LOT of really cool mouthpieces designed to be more comfortable and ergonomic to the horse. The first thing I'd try would be a 3 piece, then maybe a nathe loose ring. Also try different heights in the horse's mouth. I have one that I have put many bits on but absolutely can't get him to wear one. He wears a sidepull for now. When the dentist is here later this month I'm going to be sure to ask them if he has any special concerns in his mouth like a low pallette, extra fleshy tongue, etc. Those things aren't "wrong" per say, but do require a special bitting setup. Next time your dentist is out just ask them and they should be able to help you figure out a bit to try or if your horse would be better off in a hack or sidepull. |
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Veteran
Posts: 160
| Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help your input is very helpful!! I was thinking a dog bone would be perfect and I think I have one hanging in the trailer with many other bits to try out plus a neighbor who is loaded with different types of English bits. I really like the idea of ground driving her with the different bits in her mouth and teaching her to accept before I add myself to the equation. I guess I am over thinking everything because this is the first baby I have had that is as opinionated as she is. She is very sensitive where other horses I have had were more laid back. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | I have the same exact issue. Doesn't matter what kind of bit. My mare has got in the habit of trying to get her tongue over the bit. Now that's what she always tries to do. I will ride her in a little s hack and she still sometimes opens her mouth like she's looking for a bit. Then she figures out there isn't a bit and stops. I have tried a cavason and it does work but she gets angry and fights with it. I started ground driving her and that's when I could really tell that she was trying to get her tongue over the bit. She is also a very light horse and not very laid back. She works best in a hack. Good Luck! |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I had one that would gap with a snaffle and if she got mad about something umasked her to to like back in a arc would rear up and run to back of pen. I tried a mullen she rode well did not like feel, put her in a chain rode greart and had good feel. At home i rode in a thick mullen mouth during the week and at shows the chain. I was at the feed store one day had a myler snaffle i bought that suckeri wr for ten bucks rode everything with that one day i put it on my mare she even rode well in that. I would say some of the very good bit makers may have a snaffle that fits better in the pallate. Iwish i really knew more about bits. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | alot of 3 yr olds tend to act this way. but as wrap pointed out.. you need to address this and like someone said even longlining her would be helpful.. move her up into the bit..get her responsive to cues etc.. to move her forward.. Id not worry so much about head set or collection Id move her Out and really forward.all the while steady even pressure on mouth. Not hard just even and steady..
Id try the KK training 3 piece snaffle.. if shes really mouthy and rattles her bit alot id check for TMJ |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12842
| I would get away from the snaffle. You don't have to train ahorse with a snaffle. Snaffles put all the pressure on the corners of the mouth. Try a Jr cowhorse or something with a short shank that will put pressure in other parts of the mouth. The guy that breaks my young horses does use a snaffle. I get them in something else as soon as possible. A German Martingale is very helpful too. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| How long have you been riding her in a bit?
At this point she probably just needs to come to terms in accepting it, like some others have said. If you were wanting to try a different bit I think a 3 piece dog bone snaffle would work if you can get your hands on one. She might need to pack it around all day for awhile until she gets used to it. I for sure wound't go trying every bit that you have on her; keep it simple and let her get used to it. Remember, you can do more with less  |
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| or get a piece of twine tie thre bit on make a headstall so it will break or come off in a jam and let her eat drink sleep with it for a while |
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