He always chomps at his bit. It's not like the chewing/licking kind. It's the chomp, "I'm going to eat this" type. He grinds his teeth on it, and I'm not sure that's good. I don't know though.
I wouldnt reccomend just shooting in and buying a new nose band just yet. i would suggest finding out if there is any other issues causing your horse to chomp.
Watch him when he does it....what is the rest of his body saying at that time? ears relaxed? ears back angry? tence muscles? Tail swishing or relaxed?
Does he do it at any particular moment when you are asking him? for instance ..when you ask him to trot does he do it only at that time...?
What current bit do you use and for how long have you used it?
The teeth floating is one possibility but it could be that the horse is avoiding the bit. I have one that will ride around with his mouth wide open and try to get his tongue over the bit. Sometimes it's a training issue. I dont use a flash for him though, I just put an english cavason (sp) on with my western bridle for him.
But I agree that you'll want to figure out the exact reason for his chomping/etc before using the flash.
I keep editing my comments! This is one place where... OK SPIRITHORSE!!!! YES I'M GOING TO SAY IT!!!! That Parelli...MUMBO JUMBO... might come in handy because I bet it's more of an emotional/attitude issue then teeth....
Also - make sure your bridle is adjusted properly... and it could be irritation as well... he might be cranky because you are making him work....
I keep editing my comments! This is one place where... OK SPIRITHORSE!!!! YES I'M GOING TO SAY IT!!!! That Parelli...MUMBO JUMBO... might come in handy because I bet it's more of an emotional/attitude issue then teeth....
I'm not convinced of that... I would tend to think it's a physical problem more than an emotional problem I'd suggest getting the teeth checked for sure.
If not, maybe it's the back, or shoulder or haunches even... a horse can grind its teeth to say "I hurt!" as well.
Aaaand.. some horses just grind their teeth.... and a lot of the time a flash won't do anything.
I would definately get him checked out. Please don't rush out and buy a flash straight away, i've seen so many riders put flashes on their horses just for the sake of it. It just turns into a vicious circle because 9 times out of 10, there is physical problem with the horse, so by strapping it's mouth shut it just makes the problem worse, but if it is a training problem, all the flash does is cover the problem up and it doesn't solve it. There is no substitute for good schooling is what I think . But yeah I would definately get him checked out, hope this helps.
I have to say i have a flash for my horse. She's had her teeth floated so i know teeth are not a problem and anytime i put any sort of pressure on the reins, she'll gape. She's not in any pain and her tack fits her (she's done it while bareback as well)
I had a figure 8 and those are actually better IMO than a flash. They allow the nostril airway to expand fully so they can get more oxygen into their body. But mine was too big and i have to find it to punch more holes in it. A figure 8 can also stop a horse from crossing it's jaw.
I find that when i ride my mare in either a flash or figure 8, she behaves a lot better, she'll listen to my cues a lot more and she doesn't toss her head as much either.
I do not plan on always having to use a flash or figure 8, but i'm going to use it until we solve our problems. And no i'm not doing this to cover up a problem, she's a young horse and all of this is new to her. We do ride without the flash/ figure 8 most of the time.
Their teeth can get really sharp if they arent floated properly and another thing, with older horse (I can't rememember the age of this horse) but they can get gaps between their gums and their teeth that can collect feed and get uncomfortable...
As I said before, I think the teeth are definitely a point worth checking but in my experience, grinding teeth has been attitude issues along with the mouth opening, that's been avoiding the bit... But I also agree there can be other issues i.e. pain... it's hard when you dont' actually see the horse doing it...
those riders are steering 100% with their hands, they are using there hands to slow the horse and steer the horse, they arent using their seats for anything! yucky yucky bad! LOL
I know it's completely horrible! But the part i really wanted everyone to see, was when they showed that animated horse and what see-sawing can do to the teeth.
When i first saw it, i was so disgusted with what they where doing, and as bad as it sounds, i was happy when the riders fell off (bad, yes, did the horse get satisfaction out of it, i sure hope so).
Ug.... I made my girls come and watch it! Then I gave them "a talk" and basically ended it with THATS WHY YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME WHEN YOU ARE RIDING MY HORSES!!!!!!! lol...... They love it when I lecture.....
I know it's completely horrible! But the part i really wanted everyone to see, was when they showed that animated horse and what see-sawing can do to the teeth.
When i first saw it, i was so disgusted with what they where doing, and as bad as it sounds, i was happy when the riders fell off (bad, yes, did the horse get satisfaction out of it, i sure hope so).
As bad as it is, keep in mind that that is an extreme case - those riders were see-sawing with ALL their weight, not just checking lightly from one side to the other. I'm not condoning see-sawing (for heaset or control... some horses like to have a rider squeeze alternating reins to keep their mouths busy and happy) by any means, but.... it's an extreme case.
Yes, that video was horrible... and if any of you post any videos like that of you riding, be prepared to be ripped a new one Just a note of forewarning!
I'm not going to get a flash noseband, I don't think. He has a curb bit right now, because I don't own him yet, but once I buy him, I think I might put either a regular snaffle or a french link. Which one would work better?
I'm about to go watch that video right now. I love it when people think they can ride better than everyone else!
Edit: Okay I watched it. I winced way more than once. That convulsion thing really scared me though. I would not be riding my horse if he was doing that! That guy was acting like nothing was wrong! Ugh, people like that sicken me.
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