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Post by gingerpony on Sept 28, 2016 21:02:13 GMT
I apologise if I have added the picture wrong or posting in the wrong place but I have a Shetland who's been ridden for well over a year but since she arrived with us she likes to 'laugh' as we call it, she thows her head up and opens her mouth periodically during every ride. It's very funny / annoying! I have tried thin bits, French links, rubber snaffle and straight bar ported moon bits. She's had her teeth checked and chiropractor and vet have given her a clean bill of health. Can anyone help, even a flash doesnt make much difference, I don't want to tie her mouth shut I just want her to stop so we can show next year.  |
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Post by ilovenatives on Sept 29, 2016 7:11:35 GMT
Sounds like you have had most things checked , the only thing I can think of is perhaps speak to a vet who specializes in teeth about having some X-rays done to make sure there isn't something going on that can't be seen .
I have found that both our shetlands don't like jointed bits so have a little port mouth hanging cheek pip bit from Fylde . The hanging cheek keeps the bit very still in the mouth and the port gives a bit of tongue room . Does sound like perhaps something else may be going on with your girl though that needs further investigation .
Well done for wanting to find out why rather than just strap her mouth shut with a flash .
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Post by gingerpony on Sept 29, 2016 12:04:24 GMT
Thank you I will try the bit you have suggested that and see if it makes any difference. She does it when ridden in a head collar too as I have found out this morning 😞 Could it be just a tactic to get out of 'working' I use that term very loosely she is my 3yr olds little plod about the farm once in a blue moon but they have days out at treasure hunts and go 'jumping' (trotting over ground poles!) etc so she shouldn't be fed up as she has quite a varied life and is never in the school for very long.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Sept 29, 2016 12:18:50 GMT
I have known little Welshies who yawn as a tactic to get the headpiece off over their ears - she isn't trying this is she?
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Post by gingerpony on Sept 29, 2016 17:42:04 GMT
I have no idea Sarahp as its genuinely something I've never came across, had a lot of ponies but this is very new for us.
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Post by mandmgirl0164 on Sept 30, 2016 6:03:21 GMT
Was she ever actually 'mouthed' properly before being ridden?
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Post by catkin on Sept 30, 2016 14:06:21 GMT
I think it is probably an evasion of some kind. I would use a drop noseband a loose standing martingale to break the habit. Also, ensure the rider lets the pony know this behaviour is not required!
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Post by judyh on Sept 30, 2016 14:12:56 GMT
If you're going to try keeping it shut don't put a rider on. Do it on the lunge,you don't know how she will react.
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Post by gillwales on Sept 30, 2016 20:01:59 GMT
is there something that triggers off the "yawn"? If you find a common cause then you will be able to find a remedy easier. If not then I would go back to basics, re- mouth her, lots of long reining. I might be tempted to use both a caverson and a drop noseband at the same time, then once you have cured the habit you can remove the drop and hopefully she will not realise. I agree with the above, work her on the lunge first, once you have establed a rhythm, shape, voice control then go back to getting her ridden.
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Post by gingerpony on Oct 5, 2016 20:05:17 GMT
She is very laid back and doesn't move on the lunge, my eldest who is almost 9 gets on her to help exercise her but she's very reluctant to go forward. Even in large open fields all the other ponies can gallop off and she is happy just pottering at her own pace, this is obviously fantastic in a way since she is my 3yr olds pony but it means I struggle to get her moving easily.
There's no trigger, she does it out hacking, in the school, when we went tilting and also jumping so it was all quite exciting and fun stuff for her. I have started mouthing her to see if doing this helps and will try a drop noseband for a few weeks. She has such a great nature I don't want to do anything that is harsh and unfair because on the grand scheme of things it's not the worst thing she could do but it is extremely annoying.
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Post by gillwales on Oct 6, 2016 10:12:22 GMT
She is very laid back and doesn't move on the lunge, my eldest who is almost 9 gets on her to help exercise her but she's very reluctant to go forward. Even in large open fields all the other ponies can gallop off and she is happy just pottering at her own pace, this is obviously fantastic in a way since she is my 3yr olds pony but it means I struggle to get her moving easily. There's no trigger, she does it out hacking, in the school, when we went tilting and also jumping so it was all quite exciting and fun stuff for her. I have started mouthing her to see if doing this helps and will try a drop noseband for a few weeks. She has such a great nature I don't want to do anything that is harsh and unfair because on the grand scheme of things it's not the worst thing she could do but it is extremely annoying. If she goes at the pace you require for your little one then work her at that pace, this is often a mistake with those with l/r and f/r, work them at the pace you want them to go with the child on board. You can concentrate on smooth rather than sharp transitions ( although without being nasty it does not sound like your pony does anything sharp  ) Stick with the drop noseband, it should not be so tight has to restrict her breathing and keep using a caverson with it so that when you remove the drop it does not seem like such a big change. The minute she starts to open her mouth again put the drop back on and keep it there for longer, this sounds like a bad habit you want her to forget. This might take some time to sort out. Good luck |
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Post by fanfarefan on Oct 6, 2016 16:31:41 GMT
have you had her poll specifically checked ,,,, it can be the cause of many problems if it what they call OUT , sx
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Oct 6, 2016 18:35:05 GMT
I hadn't thought of that - but in my experience they don't like having a bridle put on or their ears touched if the poll is a problem.
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Post by gingerpony on Oct 8, 2016 7:23:02 GMT
Her poll is fine, the physio checked her over completely and found no muscular or skeletal issues with her.
Thanks for all your comments and help I'm taking it all on board and working through all your ideas x
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Post by sageandonionagain on Oct 15, 2016 19:00:18 GMT
That is quite a contact being taken, are you using two reins? Do you have a trainer and what is his or her view? I would change that bit to a neue schule. Did you use a Chartered Physio. Highly unusual for a physio to find nothing at all, there is always something that needs some work.
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Post by gillwales on Oct 16, 2016 15:26:54 GMT
how is the open mouth situation going? |
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Post by gingerpony on Jan 31, 2017 13:52:49 GMT
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