With my two mares, I had a problem with them (one in
particular) chewing and mouthing the bit. My trainer said not to worry, just
work on getting her to relax and go forward into the bit. Wouldn't you
know....she was right. I can tell when she becomes tense as the chewing returns.
With my younger mare (just turning six) the issue was her mouth being open. As
she relaxes, she is going more and more easily with her mouth closed. As I learn
to keep constant contact with the bit without pulling or jerking on the mouth,
my hands and reins becoming more elastic, these habits with the mouth are
becoming less and less evident.
Keep working into relaxation and I will wager the chewing
will disapear.
Would like some advice/ideas about my young
gelding. He is just turning 4 this spring. I started him last
summer. I am not really consistent about training as I have my mare that
I currently compete with to keep in shape, but try to get on the baby as often
as possible. With spring/summer coming on I hope to get better.
Anyway, I currently am using an eggbutt snaffle
on the gelding. He chews or bites at it all the time. I am not a
trainer (first horse I have started) so I don't know if he is doing this
because the bit doesn't lay in the bars properly or if he is just doing it to
avoid listening to me. Anyone have or had this experience with a young
or old one and have any ideas I'd sure like to hear about them.
