I’ve been using a rubber mullen pelham on my mare, and she’s developed irritation in the corners of her mouth. My vet said it from the friction of the bit. Not a cut or a sore, but a loss in pigmentation from the repeated irritation/friction.
Has anyone else had this? Has the skin returned to its original color?
(We’ve stopped using the bit)
I’ve found this to happen more from a thick diameter bit. Once coated with saliva, they both slide just fine, but the rubber bits are generally thicker.
In terms of permanence, I suspect it depends how long it goes on for. My mare developed pink corners of her mouth that would crack easily (neither visible from the outside), which never went back to their original pigmentation, but she also showed signs of bitting problems for months/years on and off (note: this developed early in my journey of horse ownership when I suggested to my then-coach that my mare seemed to be objecting to the bit, and I sadly followed the coach’s advice that the bit wasn’t the problem. I now check the inside corners of the mouth carefully myself if I believe there may be a bit issue).
There are products that can reduce the friction, like bit butter, but the real solution is to find a bit that suits your horse’s mouth shape better.
If it’s one of the black rubber pelhams, you might try one of different material - white rubber or the orange winderen. The black rubber - I always loved it as a kid as a kind bit - is just kind of stinky and not as nice. I don’t know what that black rubber is made of but I think the newer soft plastics are more inert and less likely to be irritating.
The pink spots on my mare are very visible from the outside, so i’m very fearful that they won’t re-pigment over time!
Yes! Thick black rubber pelham! I’ve ordered a “Trust” brand one which is more smooth and less thick in diameter!
This is what I got! I’m just so upset that she lost the pigment and it’s visible from the outside. It’s almost seems like an allergy to the black rubber!
If you like the idea of a rubber mouthpiece, try one of the synthetic varieties. Rubber is processed from rubber trees and there are several different “formulas” as well as techniques that have evolved over time. It is very possible your horse is allergic to something in this particular bit rubber and it is causing a reaction in the corners of her mouth.
Just switch to a different mouthpiece material.
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