Constant chewing and ‘chomping’ on bit

[TinFoilHat]

Hey gang, hope this is the right category for this question.

I’m starting a lease with a 6 yr old OTTB gelding in about a month and a half and one thing that I’ve noticed through my visits with him and his owner so far is that he is quite literally CONSTANTLY (and loudly) chewing his bit. Whether he’s still or moving, he’s chomping. Currently, he’s in some kind of a double-jointed eggbutt. Aside from the chewing, I’m researching other options for a couple of other reasons (he’s hanging on and balancing on the bit for balance (as most young OTTBs do - i realize that to combat this he will need muscle and balance through work) and he hasn’t appeared receptive to the bit).

Anyways, is the constant chewing normal? My last mare (also an OTTB) would chew when she was bored, but as soon as riding or other exercise commenced, she would stop. It is worth noting that he gets bored easily and is also excessively out of shape. I haven’t gotten the vibe that he’s in pain, but also he’s not in my care yet so I can’t fully rule it out yet.

TIA!!

(Also, not to hijack my own thread, but if anyone would be willing to look at a couple of confo pics + x-rays message me:) the vet I used said he doesn’t analyze x-rays, only provides them?)

[CHT]

Two really basic thoughts:

1. The horse is nervous. horses often have busy mouths when anxious. Could be over stimulated, not understanding the task, sore, or just a way to self sooth (like people who click pens or bounce their leg when anxious)
2. The bit is too fat for the horse to close its mouth around comfortably. People often think thick bits are kind, but for a horse with a small mouth/big tongue, they can be very uncomfortable to carry. I bought a Jumpe bit for my current small mouthed horse, but a TB I used to have only was ok with a very thin western type snaffle.

Is your horse ever quiet with a closed mouth? (when leading, for ground work). If yes, I would assume the first suggestion, but it no, I would assume the bit it just uncomfortable for the horse.

[endlessclimb]

My Old Man horse has done this his whole life, and is the most chill, relaxed, carefree horse in the world. He only does it when you’re standing around, both on the ground or when you’re in the saddle.

I think he does it because he’s a little bored. Again, his entire life. Thousands of miles of trails, hundreds of jumps (probably thousands).

He pulls the bit up into his molars and chomps. He’s gone through many bits this way. I keep a file at the barn so I can remove sharp spots if he’s able to make them. Many bits, many thicknesses and metallurgies - he’s just a forever 3 year old.

[Xanthoria]

What @CHT said. My past OTTB was a nervous chomper and needed a really stable bit (Baucher, full cheek, that type of thing) but over time he was able to go in any bit as long as my hands were completely steady and still.

My current WB has a tiny mouth - as verified by dentist. I had tried all sorts of Happy Mouth bits, lozenges and mullens and she kept ferociously chewing away. After finding out her palate was very low, I changed her to a 12mm eggbutt shaped lozenge bit (verbindend knockoff) and she goes in that for dressage, stadium and xc. It’s hard to find 12mm bits, but it made all the difference.

Do you have a bit fitting specialist near you? I recommend trying one!

[Ponyplusaninch]

Same deal–OTTB who chews because he can. Definitely more pronounced when he’s bored or anxious (and not necessarily bad anxious, but like “hey I’m read to go, why are we waiting around the in-gate??”) vs. pain/discomfort based (which IME was when that behavior occurred).

We just moved him over to a leather bit, which is apparently more common at the track. It’s made a noticeable difference. He’s happier in the contact, and while he chews, it’s not as obvious. He just sucks on it basically like a pacifier.

[Training_Cupid]

I recently switched my OTTB from a loose ring Neue Schule verbindend to an eggbutt Myler level 2 comfort snaffle (his old bit, which we switched out of about a year ago because at the time he was softer in the verbindend) and he is noticeably less busy in the mouth. I’m not sure if it was the rings or the mouthpiece or both!

[TinFoilHat]

@CHT

The horse is nervous. horses often have busy mouths when anxious. Could be over stimulated, not understanding the task, sore, or just a way to self sooth (like people who click pens or bounce their leg when anxious)

@endlessclimb

My Old Man horse has done this his whole life, and is the most chill, relaxed, carefree horse in the world. He only does it when you’re standing around, both on the ground or when you’re in the saddle.

I think he does it because he’s a little bored. Again, his entire life. Thousands of miles of trails, hundreds of jumps (probably thousands).

@Ponyplusaninch

Same deal–OTTB who chews because he can. Definitely more pronounced when he’s bored or anxious (and not necessarily bad anxious, but like “hey I’m read to go, why are we waiting around the in-gate??”) vs. pain/discomfort based (which IME was when that behavior occurred).

So all of these stuck out to me because as I read these, I made a connection to something else I saw and heard of. While in the crossties, he was CONSTANTLY messing with the cross-ties. Calm, but would not stop lipping the leads. Similarly, the owner’s mom mentioned that he “cribs when he’s bored.”

I’m thinking this is a case of boredom. I’ve never met a horse like him in that, he WANTS to work. He wants to use his brain, work and be challenged. His owner says he frequently gets frustrated when he is not challenged and is bored. Ultimately, that’s why his owner leased him out because her life situation changed and she can’t get out there with him more than maybe once a week, and he definitely needs to be worked a majority of the week.

So the obvious answer is getting him out of his stall more and getting him working to relieve the boredom and also exerting the energy into something productive into the antics. Unfortunately, I don’t gain ‘ownership’ until beginning of December, so the exercise part is kind of stuck for now.

With all of that said, is it worth trying a new bit? Or should I just chill until I get him into my care and then assess once he’s actually being ridden consistently (goals upfront are to put weight on him, work on lunging + trailing to build some muscle and build out his hind end, and then start a regimented riding schedule)?

[TinFoilHat]

@Xanthoria

Do you have a bit fitting specialist near you? I recommend trying one!

Definitely adding this to the to-do list. I’m newer to the area (this isn’t the horse community I grew up with) so I’m not totally sure, but I’m sure there is someone who can give me this kind of insight.

[AAHunterGal]

Since he’s young, it could still just be a baby thing, also. Sort of like fidgeting while really concentrating on a task. Once he’s more secure in his job / thinking a little less hard, he should settle into the bit.

[TinFoilHat]

That’s super fair. I think I’m going to leave his set up as is and once some of the physical stuff gets addressed (weight and muscle gain) then take a look at what isn’t working.

[Ponyplusaninch]

Just one last piece of advice: pick your battles on the mouthiness/constant chewing.

Mine is also mouthy in the crossties. We don’t treat him by hand or anything to encourage it—he just likes his pacifiers and will chew on most anything. I was an idiot and raised the issue with him, and for him it turned into a new exciting game. Which ultimately amplified the chewing problem because he realized he could grab anyone’s attention quickly by chewing on the crossties, reins, cloth, etc.

It took a few months to undo that behavior so that he realized no one cared, and then it was just the occasional chomp and incessant chewing.

I think you’re wise to leave it be and see what happens. You probably will inevitably do some bit shopping (you may even up with a few different bits to keep him occupied!) but it sounds like you’ve got a number of different variables you can address before going down that rabbit hole.

[TinFoilHat]

Yep exactly! At least initially, there are bigger fish to fry. Unless it is determined that he’s in pain, which at this point is not the case, I’m not gonna fight him too hard on it. It’s not impacting me other than having to hear it.

[eventammy]

OP, I feel your pain! My lease mare does the thing where she pushes the bit into her molars and then chews on it. I have her in a soft rubber double jointed snaffle and she chewed up the rubber pretty quickly. However, she goes amazingly in the bit and seems to like it so I’ve just decided to live with it for her sake.

In her case I think it stemmed from an anxiousness thing. She used to be very antsy anxious in the crossties before riding, a little anxious under saddle, etc. She was new to the farm and coming back into work at the time. I have found that as she’s settled in and gotten more comfortable the chewing/grinding under saddle has gone away for the most part. Really only happens when the bridle first goes on.

Idk if any of that is actually helpful, just my experience! All that to say, as mentioned above, if you find a bit he goes well in, don’t get too caught up chasing yourself down the rabbit hole with the chewing. As long as it’s not developing dangerously sharp edges, it’ll be fine.

[Xanthoria]

Here’s a UK event pony producer’s experience with a bit fitter so you can get an idea of how subtle changes can make a big difference: https://youtu.be/3360Bi7fJYQ

[Pippigirl]

If you think it could be behavior related (anxiety, boredom etc), what about one of those ThinLine Busy Buddy things in the meantime? They’re not terribly expensive. From the reviews I’ve read people like them. Just a thought !

[Jealoushe]

@Training_Cupid

Neue Schule

These bits, can’t recommend them enough. They do free online consultations. https://nsbits.com/online-bitting-consultation

If the bit fits, you have explored the mouth and made sure the bit is correct and the mouth has been looked at by a dentist, then the issue could be either pain or the riding.

A lot of the times when a horse is ridden properly into the bridle and a soft hand this will go away over time.

Other times it is an indication of pain, often back, neck, or hock pain. Watch the horse for other pain indicators like their eye and ears, swishing tail.

[kaya842]

My experience with busy mouths is that it is not “normal” - common, perhaps but not normal. In every instance I have seen the bush mouth go away when either pain or anxiety was relieved. It could be pain unrelated to the mouth, such as back/ hocks/ etc. It could be anxiety about the work being asked of them or anxiety over the bit itself (my latest busy mouth horse). I highly recommend reaching out to the various bit brands (NS, Trust, Beris, Bombers, Fager etc) and see what bit they may recommend. There is also the bit barn who does remote consultations. Those should give you a good starting place for bit fit. It really is quite a bit more complex than it seems.
Personally, I’ve had the most success with non-metal bits (leather is the big winner) and am currently tied between a loose ring or a baucher cheek piece for favorite.

[Christa_P]

IME, make sure the bit fits. My OTTB will mess the bit if it’s even slightly too big, but she is quiet and happy in a 4.5" single joint Dee bit. When I first got her I tried other bits and sizes and she was always messing with the bit and inconsistent with the contact. Once I got the right size she settled and learned soft contact. FWIW, I got her shortly after she left the track, with no retraining, and have had her almost 11 (!!!) years now.

[TinFoilHat]

I actually saw that recently and wanted to do some more research into them because I’m intrigued. I think that is something that he would genuinely really like!

[TinFoilHat]

@Jealoushe

These bits, can’t recommend them enough. They do free online consultations. https://nsbits.com/online-bitting-consultation

I’ve heard nothing but great things about these bits but didn’t know they did online consultations which is cool!! Definitely need to check bit fit and do that consultation. (Also thanks @Training_Cupid - couldn’t also quote you for some reason!)