I’ve read that peanut butter can be used to encourage horses to keep their mouths shut. Yes, I am working on the cause and cure, but am interested in a temporary bandaid.
How much, when, and where, and any other hints please.
well, while you’re doing diagnostics to figure out why your horse is so mouthy, i’ve had good luck with gumbits.
but a cheaper alternative is to buy fruit roll-ups. my SO gets the organic apple kind (i think it’s called fruit leather?) for eating but i’ve used it on one or two fussy babes with good results.
How do you use the fruit wrapups?
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How do you use the fruit wrapups?[/QUOTE]
I cut them into small sections (think ribbons), dip in water bucket and mold around the bit. I use only a little bit, just enough so when they first get the bit in they’re surprised by the pleasantness of it. Not enough that they’ll still be sucking mid ride.
You don’t want to cut the sections too big or thick, just in case it becomes ‘unanchored’ while there’s a bit in their mouth.
Thanks for the tip. I have a young green horse that doesn’t want to have a bit in her mouth. I will try this!
None of my horses would eat the gumbits, they just immediately spat them out.
However, with my green horses I coat the bits in molasses. It makes them accept the bit while tacking up faster and I find they don’t chop on it later either. I like the roll up idea too! much cleaner.
Ewwww, peanut butter colored slobber.
Peanut butter sticks to the roof of my dogs’ mouths. I would hate to see my horses trying to get that off of the roof of their mouths.
I heard that Mr. Ed was fed peanut butter to make him “talk”; not exactly the quiet mouth you are looking for. (Please tell me that you know who Mr Ed is…)
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I love Mr. Ed! Abandoning the thought of trying peanut butter!
FYI red colored fruit roll ups lead to red slobber, and folks may think your horse’s mouth is bleeding. Blue slobber, from grape and blueberry, raises eyebrows too.
Apple and banana are safe, my horse likes a little imitation coconut flavor added to the banana.
Warm Peanut Butter to make it soft, and put a little in a clean syringe, (a 60 cc dosing syringe works great). Give it to the horse just like wormer.
Just a dollop, not the whole syringe full. Give before or after bridling.
Years ago there was a peanut butter+molasses flavored taffy type of candy called ‘Mary Jane’. It was great for wrapping bits.
Thank you! Any idea how long the fruit wrapups or warm peanut butter will help - 30 minutes? Longer or shorter?
Is there any prohibition against using peanut butter? What about wrapping bits? How do you handle the bit check? Thanks again!
I remember a controversy regarding a fairly well known rider (can’t for the life of me remember who) and if the grass that was found on the horses mouthpiece was accidental or put their on purpose.
Does anyone else remember?
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Is there any prohibition against using peanut butter? What about wrapping bits? How do you handle the bit check? Thanks again![/QUOTE]
I seem to remember some language in the rules prohibiting wrapping bits. It seemed to apply to latex or leather (things that don’t dissolve?) but may apply to fruit leather. I do know that Bit Butter, and GumBits are allowed (things that dissolve?).You should consult someone in authority.
I should add … I have only used flavor wraps to help a horse that had a bad experience with a bit get over his anxiety, and to get tall horses to put their heads down for small children to bridle them.
As to how long the flavor lasts, that is hard to predict. If a horse has a dry, quiet mouth, it lasts longer than if the horse has a wet mouth and chews and sucks on the bit.
The positive frame of mind that the horse starts the ride with is a plus no matter how long the flavor lasts
P.S. I just Googled, and Walmart carries the MaryJane peanut butter candies.
www.necco.com/candy/mary-jane.aspx This is what they look like.
I have a tongue sticker outer. Peanut butter keeps her tongue in as she wants to get at the peanut butter. It lasts as long as the peanut butter.
This is interesting, never thought of wrapping the bit in the roll ups, I might try this with one of mine who is mouthy with the bit. She takes the bit fine but plays with her mouth too much.
I also use a sugar cube when I am going to bridle a young horse. I hold the sugar cube in my hand under the bit so they smell it open mouth get bit and sugar cube. Then once they are older they get the bit then once finished bridling they get the sugar cube.
