-
Rosie posted an update
Pictured here I am in the process of floating the upper and lower 6’s (molars/cheek teeth). This horse has a common condition called “Flabby Cheeks.” This is excessive fat tissue that sits on the bars in the mouth where the bit sits. When ridden, a large diameter bit can displace this tissue over the bottom premolars and pinch the tissue illiciting a pain reaction (head tossing, stopping for no reason, bolting, rearing, etc) and the horse becoming sensitive. 50% of the horses with Flabby Cheeks are sensitive to the bit. To help relieve sensitivity, I round the pointed edges of the bottom premolars, which are shaped like the bow of the titanic, to make them smooth and like the bow of a tug boat so the horse is more comfortable for when she’s bitted. I informed the owner to use a thin snaffle or go bitless if possible, and to use light hands when riding. These 3 techniques combined allows an all around happy horse under saddle!
JulesHorsewalker2 Comments-
@Rosie This might make a good discussion to post in the forum “Horse Care Discussions.” It would become searchable for those in the future to look for subjects like “bit problems” “bit seats” and others (hint – include these words in your post). Thanks for considering this and thanks for posting this in the activity feed. Some day when there are a thousand people here these interesting posts can often be missed. A forum post will help keep it alive.
-
You got it! I was reluctant to use the word bit seat since many power float dentists use it alongside the phrase balancing the mouth. I didnt want anyone to get confused.
-
-