Tongue over bit problem

PaintsQH · 08-19-2007, 04:38 PM

Im sure many of you have had problems with a horse who loves to get their tongue over the bit. I have tried many different kinds of bits on her, and I use a cavasson (noseband), but she still manages to do it. Is there a bit a horse cant get the tongue over? Its driving me crazy because she gets all bent out of shape because its uncomfortable im sure, and acts up when your riding her. Otherwise she is fine untill she does that. Need some suggestions please. Thanks

kristin · 08-19-2007, 05:01 PM

have you tried tighening up your check straps on your bridle? maybe the bit is hanging too low in the horses mouth, wich would enable her to put the tongue over the bit?

PaintsQH · 08-19-2007, 06:53 PM

Yep, tried that. If I make it any tighter it will be up to her eyeballs. lol

Touche · 08-19-2007, 07:45 PM

Drop it a bit.
Then she will learn to carry it.

HotxtoxTrot · 08-19-2007, 07:49 PM

Try using a flash (or figure-eight) noseband. Don't forget to make sure that it is tight enought to work.

SpotButt · 08-19-2007, 09:31 PM

Yes, a flash or figure 8 will work. However you need to get to the root of the problem. Horses get their tongue over the bit to avoid it of course. So why evade? Fear? Nervous? Beligerent? Or?

I like to "retrain" the mouth as a permanent solution to evading the bit. I use a big fat loose ring hollow mouth snaffle sometimes with a Dr. Bristol mouth instead. Then lunge with side reins loose at first then gradually add contact. As my horses gets to understand the bit and learns to be comfortable and not evade I change up the snaffle bits using D Rings, and egg butts, sweet iron, coppers, and such. I'll change the position of the side reins by a few inches up and down. It can take months to "make a new mouth". But it's so worth it! Keep riding in the flash in the meantime - after awhile you'll need it less and less.

SpotButt

SpotButt · 08-19-2007, 09:33 PM

I also want to add any mouth issues should first be addressed by a competent equine dentist.

SpotButt

ricoman · 08-19-2007, 10:05 PM

Spotbutt is spot on!!! Sorry couldn't resist.

Have the teeth checked out and then use the flash noseband until your horse understands about how to carry a bit. You'll find that you can loosen it a bit at a time and then take it off all together.

PaintsQH · 08-20-2007, 05:57 AM

Her teeth were really bad when I got her in May. I doubt she ever had them done and she is 7. So initially when she went to the trainer for a tune up, it took her a little while to realize that it wasnt going to hurt. The trainer figured out she was getting her tongue over it. She is great untill she does that, then she is beligerent, out of fear or being uncomfortable. Im going to do the retraining thing you suggested, because im a firm believer in not having to use bigger bits to get what you want out of a horse. I like a nice soft mouth and no fear. Thanks for the idea. Im gonna try this today.

David · 08-20-2007, 06:12 AM

I think you have been given some good advice so far but I would two suggestions that might help also. One thing is a tool called a gamarillion it's used a lot on Peruvian Pasos it's the opposite of a chin strap or curb on a bit, this is a wide (2-3 inches) piece of leather that attaches to a bit like a chin strap but it goes over the nose. It will hold the bit off the tongue until you actually ingage it, some horses put their tongue over the bit because they don't like it laying on their tongue. The second thing is try a straight bit, I know a lot of people who say these bits are harsh but the truth is there is no harsh bit, only harsh hands. I have seen several examples of horses who don't like broken bits and will brace and put their tongue over and fight the whole time, but you put them in a curb or a grazing bit and they are perfect horses. Sometimes it's as simple as finding out what the horse likes in its mouth.

Also, you might want to check and make sure that your bit hasn't formed any burs that would make her want to keep her tongue away from it.

PaintsQH · 08-20-2007, 01:26 PM

Yeah, it seems like the snaffle bit (a three peice) hangs in her mouth and makes it easier for her tongue to get over it. Her mouth doesnt have any gouges anymore. They did at one point from her sharp teeth, but that was several months ago. I can never understand why people dont get horses teeth floated. Mine are done every year. I might be broke, but it will be cheaper in the long run since they can chew better and not end up with colic

PaintsQH · 08-24-2007, 05:50 AM

Well, ive been using a D ring snaffle and so far so good. She hasnt managed to get her tongue over it. Im interested in that strap to keep the bit off her tongue. Where do you get it from?

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08-19-2007, 04:38 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,578	Tongue over bit problem Im sure many of you have had problems with a horse who loves to get their tongue over the bit. I have tried many different kinds of bits on her, and I use a cavasson (noseband), but she still manages to do it. Is there a bit a horse cant get the tongue over? Its driving me crazy because she gets all bent out of shape because its uncomfortable im sure, and acts up when your riding her. Otherwise she is fine untill she does that. Need some suggestions please. Thanks

08-19-2007, 05:01 PM
kristin Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 244	have you tried tighening up your check straps on your bridle? maybe the bit is hanging too low in the horses mouth, wich would enable her to put the tongue over the bit? __________________ home to1 arab 4 1/2 arabs & 1 quarter paint mare www.tjstables.homestead.com

08-19-2007, 06:53 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,578	Yep, tried that. If I make it any tighter it will be up to her eyeballs. lol

08-19-2007, 07:45 PM
Touche Coming two Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,902	Drop it a bit. Then she will learn to carry it. __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

08-19-2007, 07:49 PM
HotxtoxTrot Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 768	Try using a flash (or figure-eight) noseband. Don't forget to make sure that it is tight enought to work.

08-19-2007, 09:31 PM
SpotButt Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 41	Yes, a flash or figure 8 will work. However you need to get to the root of the problem. Horses get their tongue over the bit to avoid it of course. So why evade? Fear? Nervous? Beligerent? Or? I like to "retrain" the mouth as a permanent solution to evading the bit. I use a big fat loose ring hollow mouth snaffle sometimes with a Dr. Bristol mouth instead. Then lunge with side reins loose at first then gradually add contact. As my horses gets to understand the bit and learns to be comfortable and not evade I change up the snaffle bits using D Rings, and egg butts, sweet iron, coppers, and such. I'll change the position of the side reins by a few inches up and down. It can take months to "make a new mouth". But it's so worth it! Keep riding in the flash in the meantime - after awhile you'll need it less and less. SpotButt __________________ God Spotted the Perfect Horse, Ride an Appaloosa

08-19-2007, 09:33 PM
SpotButt Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 41	I also want to add any mouth issues should first be addressed by a competent equine dentist. SpotButt __________________ God Spotted the Perfect Horse, Ride an Appaloosa

08-19-2007, 10:05 PM
ricoman Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 440	Spotbutt is spot on!!! Sorry couldn't resist. Have the teeth checked out and then use the flash noseband until your horse understands about how to carry a bit. You'll find that you can loosen it a bit at a time and then take it off all together. __________________ Resistance is Futile

08-20-2007, 05:57 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,578	Her teeth were really bad when I got her in May. I doubt she ever had them done and she is 7. So initially when she went to the trainer for a tune up, it took her a little while to realize that it wasnt going to hurt. The trainer figured out she was getting her tongue over it. She is great untill she does that, then she is beligerent, out of fear or being uncomfortable. Im going to do the retraining thing you suggested, because im a firm believer in not having to use bigger bits to get what you want out of a horse. I like a nice soft mouth and no fear. Thanks for the idea. Im gonna try this today.

08-20-2007, 06:12 AM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,069	I think you have been given some good advice so far but I would two suggestions that might help also. One thing is a tool called a gamarillion it's used a lot on Peruvian Pasos it's the opposite of a chin strap or curb on a bit, this is a wide (2-3 inches) piece of leather that attaches to a bit like a chin strap but it goes over the nose. It will hold the bit off the tongue until you actually ingage it, some horses put their tongue over the bit because they don't like it laying on their tongue. The second thing is try a straight bit, I know a lot of people who say these bits are harsh but the truth is there is no harsh bit, only harsh hands. I have seen several examples of horses who don't like broken bits and will brace and put their tongue over and fight the whole time, but you put them in a curb or a grazing bit and they are perfect horses. Sometimes it's as simple as finding out what the horse likes in its mouth. Also, you might want to check and make sure that your bit hasn't formed any burs that would make her want to keep her tongue away from it. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey.

08-20-2007, 01:26 PM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,578	Yeah, it seems like the snaffle bit (a three peice) hangs in her mouth and makes it easier for her tongue to get over it. Her mouth doesnt have any gouges anymore. They did at one point from her sharp teeth, but that was several months ago. I can never understand why people dont get horses teeth floated. Mine are done every year. I might be broke, but it will be cheaper in the long run since they can chew better and not end up with colic

08-24-2007, 05:50 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,578	Well, ive been using a D ring snaffle and so far so good. She hasnt managed to get her tongue over it. Im interested in that strap to keep the bit off her tongue. Where do you get it from?