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MOUTH
DETERIORATION IN THE HORSE
by
John O'Leary
Horseman
© 2005
What are the reasons for
the mouths of horses to progressively deteriorate after being handed
over to the owner by the 'Breaker'? They almost always do, some more
than others and some, totally.
Lets say the mouth of the
horse is finished at a 9-10 when it is handed back to the owner.
From that day forward, unless the owner is a professional rider, the
mouth of that horse will diminish for various reasons and end
anywhere between zero and about 6.5. I rarely meet one over that
mark. So what are the causes of this?
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Having a contact
against the mouth of the horse at any time other than when
actual rein aids are being employed. Put another way, holding a
feel of the mouth of the horse, via the reins, of any type, when
the horse is not correctly 'on the bit, round and soft'
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Leading a horse 'Pony
Club style' and allowing ignorance.
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The use of webbing
halters and floppy lead ropes on horses.
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Standing still on a
horse, with any contact, even a gram, unless the horse is under
the Judges eye and/or 'round and submissive'
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Having ANY contact
against the mouth of a horse at the walk whilst on a trail,
pleasure ride or even walking from the tack up area to a
dressage arena or back.
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Working any horse
under training and allowing it to be 'above the bit' and
therefore not truly or completely submissive.
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Allowing horses to
break away whilst tied up (twine)
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Whilst lunging,
allowing a horse to hang on the end of the lunge line.
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Whilst leading a
horse, regardless of the style or technique, allowing the horse
to hang against the rope, no matter how subtly. Put another way,
leading without a loop in the rope at all times.
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Allowing a horse to
invade your space on the ground, push you, pull you, head butt
you or make you move instead of it moving.......and
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Not understanding that
'reward and relief' for lightness doesn't come from the rider
UNTIL the horse does it first!!!!!
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Never being told that
it is not always about feel, savvy, an ounce, give to the
lightest give and so on.
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Knowing when to give
or soften and the timing associated with that.
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Not having consistency
in the hands.
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Having un-forgiving
hands due to hand and arm position.
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Never having been
truthfully told the secret to keeping a good mouth on a horse.
and...........
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The most senseless
thing that I ever see in the Horse Industry. Hanging on to the
lead rope of a horse that is tied up and poking it's head this
way and that way. Tugging, attempting to influence, horse
pulling, handler pulling, all for what? For a complete lesson in
ignorance and the undoing of any good work that a Trainer may
have put into the horse. I see it all the time and I saw it
today. Pushing and pulling on the head of a horse that was tied
up solid and ties up like an Olympic Tie up horse. I see it
particularly when a person is hosing a horse down. The horse is
moving so we pull the lead rope, push the lead rope, "Stand
UP".....tug, pull, push, .."Stand Up"!!!!. For Gods sake,
leave the bloody horse along, stand back away from it and train
the bloody hose on it. Leave its damm head alone and just blast
it. Stop fighting with it. Stop getting up close and personal.
Get out of it's space so it can't invade your space and use it's
size to manipulate you. IT IS TIED UP!
Here is a photo of a NH
broken horse, ridden for 12 months in a rope halter. Note the
contact, 'on the forehand'. The owner now wants to compete 'English'
Can you see the absurdity of riding this horse with a contact?
This subject is truly ,
THE most mis-understood and poorly taught of all. The secrets are
rarely passed on and often not understood by the teacher. There is
basically no chance of learning these things at Pony Club and less
than 50% chance of being truly taught later. Confusion abounds and
Trainers, Coaches and Clinicians often want to pass on one message
but do exactly the opposite on their own horses. Best of Luck
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Mail:
horseproblems@horseproblems.com.au
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