Horse can’t accept contact without fussing

[Nottingham314]

The Fager bits have been an absolute game changer for my sensitive OTTB who likes to invert first and ask questions later. If he’s not inverting, he’s likely to put himself where he thinks you want him but in a fake frame. We primarily use the Fager Maria and he has shown a clear preference for the titanium versions. He actually reaches for the bit!

Another thing that has helped him tremendously is estrone. He does have a little bit of a sticky stifle, but the estrone has helped him work over his back overall. He’s finally building topline, which is making everything else easier.

[LovieBird]

I’d try chiro and bodywork. Oh and saddle fit.

[TwiSedai]

My guy was the opposite. I tried a couple bits with a nice lozenge, thinking those would be the friendliest. Including a Fager version. Nope, he likes a hollow core snaffle.

[MsRidiculous]

Did you happen to take any neck rads?

[punchy]

Big Dees has a bit rental program, this is how I settled on the right Myler for my fussy ottb.

https://www.bigdweb.com/groups/bit-test-ride-program

[TWH_Girl]

@beowulf

My experience is that fussiness in the mouth is a tension problem, and tension is a symptom of present pain. Rooting in specific seems to be a symptom of hock and SI soreness. Repeated sores from a rubber bit would concern me. Sounds like this horse is heavy on the bit, or the hands are heavy on the mouth. Non-allergenic sores don’t just form by themselves - they need pressure.

FWIW - a temporary nerve block does not rule out KS or spinal issues, since these issues typically cause issues in other parts of the body like the SI, hocks, and suspensories. I’m not saying it’s definitely KS or CA, but don’t throw out that diagnosis yet.

This may come across as unsympathetic and it is not intended to. Your issue is fairly textbook of an OTTB with undiagnosed pain. TBs in particular are a stoic but sensitive breed, they tend to demonstrate unhappiness through the mouth before resorting to behavioral issues.

Without a video my first instinct would be to look at the feet. TBs tend to have less than stellar angles from the track, and not many farriers are experienced correcting these angles. I’d also want to investigate why the sores in the mouth keep forming, that is a big flag to me something is going on especially if he is heavy in the bridle.

Second this many times over.

[Equestrianette]

I thought I was being kind to my new mare by using a soft leather bit, she was buttery soft but inconsistent and fussy. I put her in a bomber happy tongue d ring and she is much more consistent and happy.

[outerbanks77]

If the horse goes well in a hackamore, then I’d think the answer is in the mouth. Maybe have another dentist check out the teeth. Just because they’ve been “done” does not mean there is not an issue.

Something to experiment with is riding off a caveson and snaffle as a double bridle. At first you can just let the snaffle sit in the mouth and ride off the caveson, and then begin to use the snaffle, and see if/how things change.

Leather sounds like another logical option to try. I went to a Bombers rubber bit this fall and it was a game-changer. There are different materials between that bit, Nathe, Winderen, Trust, etc. as compared to Happy Mouth or the old school black rubber bits, so I wouldn’t rule out all rubber/synthetic bits based on lack of success with a single material.

[tohorse]

Surprised nobody here spoke about getting a thinner bit as rubber bits can be way too thick for most horses and hit on the palate which can be quite uncomfortable.

I echo trying a myler style/tongue relief bit, and perhaps a mullen mouth with a port or a leather mouthpiece in that order. but again pay attention to the width (12-15mm). If you still get sores try taping. Worth exploring a change of material too. Somebody posted a cost effective sweet iron bit up from Dover - I think that one is worth a try.

[Xanthoria]

@tohorse

Surprised nobody here spoke about getting a thinner bit as rubber bits can be way too thick for most horses and hit on the palate which can be quite uncomfortable.

See post 5

[Sheasmom2]

I had a bit fitter. Game changer. Ended up with the Duo.