Sensitive horse in the mouth - why does he gape when I slow down?

Hi! 🤗

When it comes to the bit and the horse's mouth, the first thing to understand is that, anatomically, a horse has no room for a bit in its mouth. How little room there is varies from horse to horse. When you put a bit in, it takes up space that really belongs to the tongue, for example. A good thing you can do yourself to understand this is to part the horse's lips gently and look at what happens with the bit in. You will see the tongue being pressed together by the bit.

The tongue, and the rest of the mouth, is full of nerves. Taking up the reins increases the pressure in the mouth, which some horses find uncomfortable. Some are more sensitive than others, perhaps because they have a narrow mouth, a thick tongue or a flatter palate. The narrower the mouth, the less room there is for the bit, which can put more strain on the tongue.

The reason your horse gapes when you slow down is probably that he wants to escape the pressure, or redistribute it. Opening the mouth is a common way for horses to cope. What bit are you using at the moment? Finding a bit that spreads the pressure, or that the horse is happier with, can help. A bit lifter can also make a real difference for horses with this kind of problem.

If it is behaviour that has only started recently, it is wise to call out a vet who is good with teeth, to make sure everything looks right in the horse's mouth. Problems in the mouth can come on quickly.

Do mix in some bitless work too! Good luck, and do not hesitate to get in touch if you are wondering about anything else. 🥰