teeth grinding

[sherie]

My six year old hanoverian gelding has started grinding his teeth when ridden. He's only schooling 2nd and 3rd level so I don't think he's being over-faced. He does crib and is orally-fixated it seems. I keep my hands as light and still as possible. I'm afraid its becoming a habit. Any suggests to fix it or at least hide it at shows? :confused: thanx sherie

[HunterDreams]

My tb x welsh pony, Liberty (he's just been started undersaddle this summer) has started it too, so this topic should be pretty helpful to me too.

He's ridden in a snaffle and we NEVER have pulled on his mouth and we're so soft. Apparantley it's a tb thing :confused: .

[Dancinglite]

While you can't actually stop the grinding you can minimize it by using a glycerine type of soap on the teeth.

On old judge taught me this trick some time ago when I was frustrated with my old horse. So when the bridle is on, take the edge of the soap and run it over the outside of the teeth. In the beginning just put a little on.

You may be pleasently surprised at the side effect of having a softer mouthed horse. :)

[MyLittleLoverBoy]

have you ever had there teeth trimmed? i trained with a pro dressage trainer back in the spring and my horse was "grinding" and she suggested getting his teeth done! ;)

[Lizard]

maybe a TB thing...my TB does a little too, and we've tried him in a bunch of bits...he did it more in the metal, but now hes in a rubber snaffle...

[AidEE]

omg my horse grinds his teeth sometimes when he's frusterated or i ask him to do something difficult HATE IT! but, nxt time I ride i'm going 2 try the soap trick :D it sounds good!!!!

[Lizard]

my horse does that when hes frustrated too, or when he doesnt want to do something

[Palomino]

One thing I suggest is to play with the bit whenever they start grinding. by "tickling" the bit it allows them to feel the bit. my qh used to do it at aqha shows. by gently playing with the bit she was able to relax, it turns out she was only bored. It also happened with a mustang I used to rope on. He had no medical reason or training reason. I started him in a snaffle and when it got too bad, had to move him to a hackamore. I later found out he did it because he was anxious. But the easiest way to hide it is by gently moving around the bit in their mouths or try a copper snaffle. Some horses are irritated by stainless steel.