Is it possible to cause massive holes about an inch deep and a quarter size on each lip crease simply by having a heavy hand when riding?! I was helping a friend at a local barn and saw a big mare with raw, bloody, open wounds and very obvious swelling on both sides of her mouth. I’ve heard of small wounds there, but have never seen anything like this. I checked the horse’s card and it is owned by the on-site trainer. She is a well known and seasoned hunter/jumper trainer in the area. My blood boiled when I saw it, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions and I find it hard to believe a well known trainer would put a horse through that, let alone have it’s stall near the front of the property where boarders would see it.
Has anyone else seen large open wounds caused from riding or could it be something else? I’m assuming they ride in snaffles which could pull on the lips. I’d be beside myself if I boarded there and that was caused by the trainer!
Could it possibly be summer sores? Would it make sense that the horse has one on either side of it’s mouth and it has nothing to do with the bit? I don’t have any experience with summer sores, but it’s been really hot and humid lately. I just can’t imagine a person causing that kind of damage to a horse’s mouth.
