Hello, I have a 4 year old gelding, saddle broke Mustang and I did notice when we adopted him from the prison, he had sores on the sides of his mouth. They said it was from his bit. Now I have him home, he has never bucked, but he shakes his head, fights the bridle, and now I’m trying bitless, but he is still acting like it’s sensitive, but he’s not responding. What shall I do? Any suggestions on Bridles? Should I go back to a bit?
When was he last seen by an equine dentist?
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Bit is too small or it would not make sores on him. You need to actually measure his mouth, buy a bit that fits him. His height, “refined head appearance” have no effect on his true mouth size. Lot of Mustangs have wide heads, need wide bits. Another thing to consider is the part of bit above the mouthpiece where bridle holds the bit, if using a curb bit. Some animals skull and teeth widen right there, need that part to flare outward so the bit is not rubbing or banging his teeth. This is a common problem with Fjords, Haflingers, who have wide skulls above their mouths.
Your Farrier with a forge can probable flare out the bit top for you. Or maybe the local welding shop can heat the metal to bend it for you. I would not try bending cold metal, you may snap off that part.
Once bit fits, put something sweet on the mouth for bridling so he likes getting it put on. See if he can forget his bad experience with time and new , tasty bit!
If shaking continues, have the Vet out to check for wolf teeth, maybe horse needs dental care. Also check ears while sedated for bugs or problems in there.
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Thank you, some good advice there, this may seem like a silly question however, how do I measure his mouth?
Use a drinking straw put it in where the bit should sit and mark the corners of the mouth on the straw. the measurement is the distance between the marks.
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Measure his mouth. Try a different bit style, too. Several vendors will do “bit trials” these days where for a small deposit, you have the option to try a bit and return it if it doesn’t work out.
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Bolded mine. If he’s still reacting when bitless, it’s probably not bit size. Could be anything from not really being broke enough to understand what you’re asking, to jaw, neck, back or hock pain. Did you have a vet workup done before you adopted him?
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Agree… check his poll/ ears crown pieces for abrasion.
Are you certain he does not shake his head under other conditions? Say, when free in his field with just a halter on?
Without a halter? Seasonal? Temperature?
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Check the fit of your headstall-that’s all the parts of the bridle without the bit. Most common offenders are too wide a strap over the poll and, if there is a brow band, if it’s too wide it pinches the base of the ears and if it’s too short, it pulls the cheevkpieces forward and pinches the base of the ears, Some too small bridles rub right against the back of the eye. Do you have a link to a picture of him in his bridle with the bit as you usually adjust it? It’s just as important the bridle fits as the bit and bridle fit can cause head shaking.
Some less then desireable training techniques wiill put sores in the corners of the mouth to make sales prep faster- if they are sore and fear more pain, they will stop and turn but only to avoid pain, not because they are learning anything. Old auction trick. Not saying that’s what happened here but it is a possibility.
How long had the prison had him before they sold him and did you have your vet do a basic PPE? That just checks for obvious lameness, ears, eyes, mouth and wind. No fancy x rays or such. Did your vet check these things when you first brought him home? You got 3 of them possibly involved here, ears, eyes and mouth.
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you can actually use a narrow yardstick/ruler. and stick it in his mouth where the bit would go.
remember the bit is to make 2 or 3 wrinkles when the bit is correctly placed.
Tack shops sell bit rulers for that as well.
After a vet check, checking the size of the bit, and getting your saddle checked out to make sure its not pinching or bothering your horse. Wrap the bit with a fruit roll up or drizzle with honey. Works like a charm to get a horse to learn to accept and relax with a bit.
start with an equine dentist.
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