My 15hh skewbald cob x gelding keeps on opening his mouth and crossing his jaw. I've had his teeth checked and his bit isn't hurting him, I think it's just a bad habit that he's got into with his previous owner (I've only had him for about two months). I'm considering riding him in a grackle noseband (at the moment I ride him in a normal cavesson). Do you think this would help?
thanks in advance!!!! =D and if anyone is going to be rude, then please don't bother answering! Thanks again!! =D and happy new year!!!!
2007-12-31 00:34:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Horses
Thanks koolhorse10!! =D
2007-12-31 00:43:09 · update #1
i'm using a waterford by the way, I find in a normal snaffle he tends to lean on the bit a lot, whereas now he can't take a hold of the bit and lean. I was recommended it by his previous owner, and I tried him in an eggbutt snaffle and then a waterford and found he goes better in a waterford. =D Thanks to everyone who's answered so far!!! =D
2007-12-31 21:38:50 · update #2
A grackle is designed to stop the horse crossing it's jaw so it should help It sits higher up on the face to allow the nostrils to expand when a horse is doing hard work such as racing or eventing.
For the Americans amongst us - it's called a grackle and not a figure of 8 in Europe after a horse of the same name that won the Grand National steeplechase in 1931. He was the first horse ever seen wearing one.
2007-12-31 00:56:25 · answer #1 · answered by lisa m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please dont to that. I'm not being rude I'm trying to help you and mostly your horse.
Look at this website, nevzorovhauteecole.com
Just read all of the pages and see if you feel the same about the way you treat horses (do an up-date to tell me what you think).
Happy New Year!!!
2007-12-31 16:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a note - a flash noseband won't stop a determined horse from crossing his jaw and a curbchain does squat. Haven't actually tried a grackle myself as changing the bit worked wonders on my horse.
If you're certain it's not a bit issue I'd try the grackle.
2007-12-31 08:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by Debi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try a flash nose band first, which is cheaper because you can just buy the flash attachment. These are usually more for horses that just open their mouths though rather than crossing their jaw, but it's worth a try. If that doesn't work a grackle would probably do the trick. It "secures" more of the jaw than a flash noseband, and I think they look alot nicer too! I used to have a burgandy grackle with sheepskin padding on the centre of the noseband, and diamonds embroidered onto the front.
Someone said that horses open their mouths for a reason. Although this may be true in some cases and it's worth getting your horse's teeth checked, my mare opens her mouth when she gets excited, merely because she wants to avoid the bit and go faster. There's not always a reason for everything! It may be because of a bad experience in the past, or he's just a generally fizzy horse. Please don't think it reflects on your riding or care of the horse at all!
2007-12-31 04:30:43 · answer #4 · answered by moodymare 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think riding in a grackle would help, I had a similar experience and that horse is now ridden in a grackle which has so far stopped her crossing her jaw.
I've heard from some other people that the grackle is quite severe (I had no problems with it) but I think it is worth looking up. The horse I rode seemed to prefer it to a flash, and it seemed more comfortable for her.
good lcuk =]
2007-12-31 03:51:48 · answer #5 · answered by Jen R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it won't. It will just start him on another bad habit in my opinion. He opens his mouth for a reason, and forcing him to keep it closed won't remove the reason, it will just annoy him. You say you have not had him long, perhaps the habit will go if you ride with better hands than his previous rider, if he's had the habit for years it won't go in a few weeks.
Try to see exactly when he does it , maybe when you change pace, or ask for bend, or when you tighten or loosen the reins? He is trying to tell you that at that point he is or was uncomfortable in his mouth. If you strap his mouth closed, how will he avoid that discomfort? It's a slippery slope, starting to put 'stuff' on your horse.
2007-12-31 03:21:22 · answer #6 · answered by florayg 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd be inclined to try a drop noseband before the grackle,for the simple reason it's less harsh.Good Luck,and have a great New Year!
2007-12-31 03:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by Staffwise 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a dropped noseband, figure 8 noseband that will close your horses mouth and not allow him to perform all his bad habits during your ride.
2007-12-31 02:50:49 · answer #8 · answered by lahockeyg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my arab mare does that my aunt suggested a flash...but i don't know where to get them...can't find any....
2007-12-31 02:32:01 · answer #9 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I prefer a flash over a grackle - I don't really have a reason for that, other than personal preference.
Tighten up his cavesson if you haven't already - it can be surprising how many people have a fairly loose cavesson, but if you tighten it and add a flash he won't be able to open his mouth or set his jaw against you. (Don't tighten it absolutely as far as it'll go - if you can fit one finger under the noseband that's just fine.)
What kind of bit are you using?
2007-12-31 02:15:32 · answer #10 · answered by see arr harr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋