Aklah Arabians

Question Posted by CG from South Yorkshire

My horse has been going well and is long lining but has started putting her tongue over the bit. She is currently in a neue schule starter bit and it cannot be lifted any higher to prevent her taking her tongue over it. Could you suggest a course of action to overcome this problem?

Answer-

When the bit is set high, if she gets her tongue over the bit she cannot get it back by herself as it is fixed too tight. Normally, I would set the bit a little low, but not so low that it would catch on the front teeth. This does make it easier for her to get her tongue over, but also makes it easier for her to put it back; she has to learn for herself where it needs to go. Occasionally I would put her tongue back to help her understand.

I prefer to introduce the young horse to a straight bar mouthing bit with keys, attached to a head-slip that can be adjusted easily. The keys encourage her to ‘mouth’ and play with the bit to produce saliva and keep the mouth moist and sensitive. At this stage I prefer to set the bit slightly low. This encourages her to play with the bit; she learns to pick it up and to hold it in the correct place. This should be done without reins attached as they will interfere with the mouthing process. Coating the bit with molasses, before putting it in the horse’s mouth, also encourages ‘mouthing’. The sweetness makes it a pleasant experience acting as a reward and the horse will soon start to seek the bit.

Correctly fitted snaffle bridle

After a few days, I would lunge her with loose side reins attached to the bit, but ones with a rubber ring. The weight of the ring plays on the mouth when it swings. This is enough pressure to get her to play with the bit.

When she learns to pick the bit up and hold it in the right place she is ready to lunge off the bit before you progress to long reining. When you progress to long reining adjust the bit to sit in the correct place.

(Just wrinkle the corners of the mouth.)I would also change the bit at this point to a full cheek French link bit. This is a kind bit and the full cheeks help with steering. I would also allow her to stand and eat a hay net with her bit in and side reins on, but I would never leave her alone as you would not want to get her caught on anything or too much hay in her mouth that she may choke. Make sure she is settled and happy with each step before you move on to the next.