Young horse Chewing and grinding his teeth -
What can I do?

Claire's query

I bought my horse a few months ago he is a 15 2h 5 year old and he is perfect in every way apart from the fact that he constantly either chews or grinds his teeth. Ive had his teeth checked and ive now been told that he should have no excuse but he seems to have got himself into a habit. Do u have any suggestions on how to break him out of this habbit? I usually hack out in either a jointed snaffle or a jointed three ring snaffle with double reins to stop him from poking his nose out he also wears a flash to try and stop him opening his mouth and getting his tounge ova the bit which he does frequently. He does also have tendencys of leaning on me when i try to stop its not that he goes faster he just doest seen to respond to anything i do. Is there any other bit you could sujest that might help me, or any ideas of stuff i could do while schooling/hacking that might help me. Any advice would be helpful

Ken Perrin from the Sale or Return BitBank gives his reply.

Dear Claire,

Hi Claire. Thanks for your enquiry.
Firstly, I think we should address the question of your horses teeth. At 5, he is probably still teething and MAY have signs of, or in fact wolf teeth. You do not say if it was a dentist or a Vet that does his teeth, but I would get a second opinion if you think it may justify it.

Now we come on to the question of his bit(s) and bridle in relation to his teeth grinding / nose poking/ tongue over the bit syndrome. If you take a horse, turn it out in to a paddock and watch him canter, or loose school him over jumps, I guarantee that he will not cross his jaw, open his mouth or poke his tongue out. This tells me that something is not quite right in his mouth. Putting a flash noseband on only makes the situation worse as by being noisy in his mouth he is trying to tell you he is not happy and needs freedom, not restriction.

Although you are quite right in using a gag with two reins, they are still horrible bits and cause all sorts of problems. The bit I would try is a flexi Jointed full cheek. As far as leaning is concerned, I feel that horses never lean, it is the riderv that allowes him to. This is bought about by people wanting to see horses constantly worked 'long and low'. Remember, Claire, horses are creatures of habit. Once they learnt a bad habit, it is difficult to get them out of it.

Working a horse long and low only allows all the wrong types of muscles to be built up. What disciplines in the horse world do you see where horses have to work long and low? Apart from 30 seconds in free walk on a long rein in a dressage test, the rest of the time they need to be up in your hands, working into the bit. This is the ONLY way a horse can work through its back and from behind. IT CANNOT WORK LKE THIS IF IT'S HEAD IS CONSTANTLY AIMING FOR THE GROUND. All you will get is a horse that is heavy on the forehand and thus 'leaning'.

As far as exercises are concerned, I would suggest lots of transitions in halt/walk/trot, bringing him up to the bridle for continuing longer periods of time. Lots of circle work, half halts etc. Keep it slow, keep it gentle - but make him do it. My own horse is now six months into training. He will be in an outline, up in my hands within a minute of getting on him. He stays there for 40 -45 minutes - then at the end of the session I allow him to go long and low to stretch his back. You would not expect this from your young horse, but can you see what I am getting at?

Please remember Claire, he is only a baby. I feel he needs his teeth re checking, a softer bit put in, hacking out and basic schooling with a good instructor. Little & often - but positive. I trust I have addressed some of your problems, but should you wish to contact me to discuss further, please do not hesitate. I am here to try to help. My telephone number is (01933) 277515.
Good luck and hopefully speak to you soon.
Ken Perrin Sale or return BIT BANK.

www.htsequestrian.co.uk

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