Hey there! I’ve been working with a somewhat green OTTB over the past few weeks bringing him back into work. We are about 2 weeks in and just doing walk/trot and poles at the moment per vet’s recommendations. I have been using my D ring snaffle with a french link and have also tried him in a loose ring with a lozenge. He likes to chomp at the bit and foams quite a bit. He has been seen by the dentist and chiro recently and it got a bit better after that but not completely fixed. I’ve also ridden him bitless a few times and he doesn’t fuss with his mouth at all. I haven’t tried much to fix the issue yet, but if anyone has recommendations they would be greatly appreciated!
Tincture of Time…just try to ignore the chomping. And we prompt to reward when horse is quite in mouth. I keep a bag of peppermints and as reward ant behavior in horse I want. On ground when horse is quiet in bridle offer a mint…and praise. A get times in a training session. Then progress to offering a mint when you sit in saddle…this will take time. Lots of time…tying mouth shut…or yelling at horse…he is nervous reward quiet moments.
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Often it’s anticipatory nerves. But sometimes it’s tongue pressure they don’t like. You could try a tongue relief low port bit. But more often than not the problem is between the ears and you should focus on relaxation and positive experiences.
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My one OTTB mare was having a similar issue and salivating way too much. Sometimes this means they arent swallowing enough. I switched to an ergonomical bridle and the novocontact Herm Sprenger bit and it went away almost completely. She is so much happier with the novocontact.
That being said, the trigger to being uncomfortable in the mouth can also be back pain. Check the issue isnt saddle fit, or contact understanding issues. As above, the issue could also be lack of relaxation or suppleness under saddle.
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Thanks so much for all the feedback! I’ve just been riding him in my saddle (Medium tree) which fits him ok but it definitely could be the issue. He is going to be for sale soon so buying a better fitting saddle isn’t an option however I will try him in my trainer’s saddle and see if it’s better. I will for sure try some of the different bits suggested. I noticed this morning when I went to ride that he doesn’t do it while I’m on the ground so it definitely could be anxiety.
I used to work with an OTTB who was very active in the mouth. He understood contact and was quite soft, but he still chewed and gaped at the lightest touch. There were a couple of things that were bothering him that we were able to resolve (low grade ulcers and he badly needed a chiro adjustment at the time), but as others pointed out, he was mainly just anxious. Totally understandable, as nobody had taken the time to teach him to relax under saddle. Lots and lots of W/T transitions and praising every moment of released tension helped this. He also had a hard to bit mouth (low palate, fat tongue, and just generally a very sensitive guy) and found he hated every bit I had except for a very thin, ported french link loose ring that was just a little too wide for him. I think it was a myler
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Interesting thread… I would add just one thing, namely that racehorses are trained and competed with their tongues tied. A bandage or wide rubberband is inserted below the tongue, tied around it, looped out the sides, and then around the jaw. This is a universal practice that comes handed down from trainers that have seen TBs allegedly obstruct their own airways with their tongues. But — the practice is not needed on most horses and nonetheless done, and often way, WAY too tight. So that many OTTBs end up with serious and permanent tongue issues. Numbness, swelling, lumps, and dead nerves. Sigh. Regarding your horse, I would ask your vet to do a thorough, non-sedated exam of his mouth, tongue, gums, and palate. And then, take your time with this horse, knowing his story a little more after the exam, and maybe even talking to his past trainer and groom. Also stay away from using old bits, as alloys commonly trigger mouth allergies after getting worn.
Time will heal and help, not everything, but much.
Good luck.
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So I know everyone hates a single-jointed bit due to nutcracker effect and better technology available but I will say my own TB, choosing between a single and double joint, will choose the single. I have tried him multiple times in bits that most people and other horses love only to find he hates them (loose ring French link, lozenge dee, etc). He is now going in a low-ported Myler knock off baucher wrapped in sealtex but he went extremely well in a single-jointed baucher and curved single-jointed dee as well.
Also, consider the cheek. Some horses prefer the stability of a big dee or baucher rather than a loose ring (hello, my horse) and their dislike of a certain cheek can be an active mouth, distractedness, disengagement. Contrary to popular belief, baucher bits do not use poll pressure unlike a myler with hooks.
I agree to check him for discomfort/pain also. Feet, back, mouth, neck… active mouths can be a learned behavior/nervous tic but also often mean discomfort.
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I agree that after checking for discomfort from saddle, etc to try a different bit.
My OTTB went through a number of bits as he progressed in his training and his understanding of contact. When we started working on more contact (after months of hacking and looser-rein, relaxed flat rides), he really preferred a very stable bit. At one point he was in a Happy Mouth mullen mouth full cheek with keepers (quite possibly the most stable bit you could imagine!). That really helped him learn to reach for the contact. However, after he understood that, I switched him to something else as he started to lean on the mullen mouth.
Different bits also put pressure on different parts of the mouth. I see that both bits you’ve tried have been double-jointed, so try a single joint or mullen mouth and see if he prefers one type.
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I would try longeing him with side reins that are adjusted to be just there when he is standing relaxed, preferably those with a donut.
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