Interestingly, I find that most cases in which the horse is found to be gaping at the mouth is blamed on the bit. Whether it is the right bit, fits properly, if the horse has some other mouth issues – even when it is glaringly obvious that the issue lies with the overbearing pressure being applied to the bit.
In other words, the real issue is with the rider, not the horse or the equipment. There will be a few, select, instances where the horse is genuinely in discomfort due to the bit or their teeth but it is the minority, not the majority as most people peg it.
The average rider uses an exorbitantly gross amount of pressure on the reins. On the edges of that average you find riders who use a moderate amount of too much pressure, and those who use too little pressure on the reins. The same goes for any of the aids including the seat and legs, as well as any training devices such as whips, spurs, etc.
Many of the images below are cases in which great detail was gone into over the fit of the bit. Look at the tautness of the reins, for some the fear in the horse's eyes… The horse cannot fight against the bit unless the rider fights with him, the horse has no need to open his mouth as an escape if the rider does not pull back on them.
Also : be sure to check out the “Magical” noseband which not only prevents the horse from opening his mouth, but when he resists the rider's overuse of the reins to such an extent it will force his head to comply as it applies pressure to the nose. Ingenious? Personally I find that it is more attractive and effective to ride better.
Riding Better
So, how is this achieved? How does a rider cure bad hands? It all has to start with the seat – inevitably a rider with bad hands or who rides a horse whose mouth is open in resistance will have a bad seat. You cannot have good hands and a bad seat or a good seat with bad hands. They are inextricably connected to one another, all the same that a rider cannot have independent aids (hands without legs, legs without hands) with a bad seat.
The seat must be developed and from there the hands begin to follow. I also believe that there must be a motivation for the rider that does not involve winning in competitions – where so much pressure is put on results and little on the actual correctness of training.
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It looks painful. 🙁
NO it looks naughty of the horse to be doing such a thing
It tears me up to see a horse obviously in pain from a bit and heavy hands, especially when the rider is blissfully ignorant of the fact. But what breaks my heart the most is when the rider see-saws the reins, jerking the bit back and forth trying to stop the horse. Grrrrrrr.
It tears me up to see a horse obviously in pain from a bit and heavy hands, especially when the rider is blissfully ignorant of the fact. But what breaks my heart the most is when the rider see-saws the reins, jerking the bit back and forth trying to stop the horse. Grrrrrrr.
my horse has been opening and closing his mouth, but i cant find out why. he is extremely forward moving so i have tight reins,but otherwise i dont use the reins because he doesnt respond to them. only leg commands. im not sure if its the bit, but i cant exactly buy him another one because im making decisions about buying or leasing him so he isnt mine yet. what should i do?
Hey Angelica,
You may have already answered your own question; without knowing any other details I’d look at the tight reins. Often I find that horses will rush quite a lot when they’re uncomfortable in the mouth which fosters this bad cycle as a rider of feeling like you have to maintain tight reins to prevent the rushing, but that action also encourages the horse to continue rushing. If possible, try to push him more forward while giving on the reins. Encourage the forward motion without blocking it with your hands, seat or legs. Often the horse will become tired of having to energetically step forwards and begin to look forwards to you allowing him to move at a slower pace without having to maintain lots of contact on the reins. 🙂
Hello, I would soften your reins seeing as he is a forward horse, maybe he is trying to run away from all the tension in his mouth. Make sure he has good manners, walking at a nice steady pace and if he starts to get excited, don’t pull on your reins, move them to say “hey horsey, there is a rider here, be well mannered and polite” and if he doesn’t listen to those, tell him off and try agin! It’s all about working with him to understand your signals xx
MY horse does this but only when he is being ridden, I know it isn’t the reins because even when we drop the reins and apply no pressure, he still does it! It also isn’t his teeth because we have regular
Dental checks! Can somebody help!!!
Elers did you ever have any luck finding out why your horse was opening his mouth? I know it’s been a while since your comment.