Tender Teeth
March 2, 2009
Advice for the owner of a horse who fights the unbridling process.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners has some great advice for this horse owner.
Question:
I have a 6-year-old gelding that will readily take the bit, but when you go to drop the bit (unbridle) no matter how careful, he pulls back violently. I’ve tried different bits with the same reaction. He’s a performance horse and is ridden almost daily. I’ve noticed his upper and lower canine teeth seem longer than most. Could it be they need to be ground down so he can drop the bit easier? I’ve owned him about 10 months and this problem seems to be getting worse.
Answer:
I am wondering that when you unbridle if you are inadvertently “dropping” the bit and allowing it to hit the canine teeth? I would also like you (or your equine veterinarian) to examine your horse’s canines to see if they have previously been aggressively “rounded” or “shortened.” This can potentially damage the pulp canal in the tooth, making the tooth susceptible to further injury and damage. This may also cause the canine tooth to be more sensitive than normal.
The pulp canal in this tooth is large; It is possible to damage the pulp if we “don’t know what we are doing.” I do not like to be overly aggressive with these teeth for this reason. I hope that this information will help you.
Rob Arnott,
BSc, DVM, Houlton, ME.
Comments
5 Comments on “Tender Teeth”
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March 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I have a young filly that started with a similar response. My solution was to hang on to the bit as I was dropping it so it wouldnt bang her canines. Even at that, when it would touch those teeth she would panic, bite down and throw her head. We eventually worked through it with patience and lots on positive reinforcement.
You also might try a rubber bit until he gets over his initial resistance.
Good luck!
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Did you try unfastening the chin strap before taking the bridle off? Depending on how tight you have it, it could cause a holding problem with dropping the bridle off and hanging up on the teeth.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 pm
It may not be a teeth problem, I suggest you undo the whole side of the bridle (like it was a halter) and let it roll from the horses mouth and remove the bridle as if it was a halter. Its very possible its an ear issue when removing the bridle. This way it wont pull over his ear, you will know after the first few attempts
March 4th, 2009 at 11:33 am
First, have your veterinarian do a thorough dental exam. An ear problem would show up possibly when you halter your horse. You didn’t mention what type of bit you are using. Once a problem like this gets started for whatever reason, if it isn’t addressed immediately, it only gets worse and it is dangerous for both you and your horse. Make sure you are standing off to the side of your horses head with his neck and head turned toward you and your head isn’t directly above his. This keeps your head safe should he react violently hitting you in the head. I would rig up a loose ring snaffle with just a simple split ear headstall or strap. No throatlatch, curb strap or reins. Put your horse in a confined, safe “snag proof” place such as a stall or pen with no protrusions for the bridle to catch on. Feed your horse as usual, but make him wear his bridle through the meal. Do this for several feedings. Let him get really comfortable with wearing the bridle and eating with it. Put it on before you set the feed out. Do not leave the horse unattended for long periods of time. Keep checking on him. You have to act like it isn’t a problem and work with him patiently through this. You also might try placing a halter over your bridle. When you are ready to unbridle, you remove the halter first and he is expecting the bridle to be removed. Once he realizes it isn’t the bridle, he should relax. Put the halter back on and off several times. Do this everytime you bridle him until he doesn’t react for several times. Mix it up. Bridle then halter. Halter, bridle….change the routine to help change the habit. Do this several times during a session. Your horse won’t change the behavior if you don’t give him enough reason to trust you and experience nothing bad or painful happening. Examine your technique or have someone else watch you and see if you are doing something to create or contribute to this habit. If you don’t feel comfortable working through this problem, please get help from a professional.
March 16th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
My horse was doing the same thing. I took off the chin strap before removing the bridle for awhile. He eventally stopped. Good luck!