Looking my gift horse in the mouth

[Paul L Muller]

I have a problem with my horse's mouth . When we ride, she deveolops round sores at the corners of her mouth about the size of a dime,,each side. I know that the bit is wide enough and it is not to tight up in her mouth [smiles]. It was suggested that the edges ofn the leather curb strap were rubbing her, so I chamfered them and worked a grease in to soften the leather. Has anyone ever had this issue and how did you fix it?? When I ride, I stay out of her mouth and rely on leg ques. I'm all ears for help and suggestions. plm

[Jeff Nichols]

Re: Looking my gift horse in the mouth

Paul-

pm sent

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Looking my gift horse in the mouth

Paul, You seem to have it covered with the width of the bit; the adjustment of the bit up in the horses mouth and the leather curb strap, etc. If all those three have been addressed properly then you have alleviated the more obvious issues.
Depending upon exactly where the sores are found, another good remedy is to slightly "flare" out the upper bit cheek pieces. They should not be straight but slightly curve out. By doing so you take pressure off of the sides of the horses mouth and prevent rubbing. This has worked well for me when everything else seemed to fail.

Fifth option.....
QUESTION: how wide and round is the iron bar mouthpiece? If the mouthpiece is too narrow it can also discreetly cause sores like you mention without obvious outward signs. This "mouthpiece" issue is not universal to all horses and all bits but a heavier iron stock allows the bit to rotate in the horse's mouth somewhat smoother especially if the more narrow iron stock is not completely round (as in hand forged from bar iron into round stock). If you have ever seen some of the European cavalry (and civilian) bits, especially German and even English you would see that they use very large round stock for the mouthpieces. You do not have to go this large but it might help to go larger than you presently have.

The width of the bit is the first choice in the problem then, take a good, hard look again at your curb strap and then try slightly flaring out the upper cheek pieces. If none of these ideas work then as a last resort, look at changing bits for a larger, more round mouthpiece. If your bit is hand forged.....as I am sure it is (being a blacksmith), then you could change out the mouthpiece fairly easily for larger round stock.

Hope one of these ideas remedy your situation!

Ken R Knopp

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Looking my gift horse in the mouth

Thanks Ken, I had a simular sugestion from a gent in virginina, and I think that must be the next step. I do like the idea of a larger dimeter iron for the mouth piece, I'lll make one up and give it a try. Always something new to learn. plm

[Mark Choate]

Re: Looking my gift horse in the mouth

Paul,

Good luck with your efforts on this as you and I have already discussed some ideas and they did not seem to be the cause. I have the exact same bit, that you constructed, and my horse has had no problem with it at all. I have seen those ulcerated sores on horses mouths before and they are not a pretty site, so good luck. I actually wondered at one time if certain horses have a reaction to certain metals used. Probably not...........

Fellas, I will be out of pocket for about a week so y'all try not to start an insurrection or anything as it might cause poor Ken to get ulcerated sores in his mouth, too! :sarcastic

Mark