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Discussion on Salivating during work
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Member:
Aewheele
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 9:07 am:
I'm not sure under what topic this post belongs, but I have a question about my horse salivating during work and what it means. I am a relatively new dressage rider and have been told by my trainer that it is very good when my horse salivates during work. According to my trainer, it shows that the horse is relaxed and is working through his back. I can attest to the fact that my horse does not looked bothered during these times, but he is working hard. I have seen a lot of dressage horses DrOoling during work, although I have never seen horses in other types of training salivating. Can someone tell me why these horses salivate? Is it really a sign of a relaxed horse or is it a sign of stress? Do I have to concern myself at all that he is developing any gastrointestinal issues due to excessive salivation.
I should note that when my trainer rides my horse, he DrOols like crazy. I can't get him to be quite as sloppy, but he usually chews on his bit and gets a little foamy around the lips.
Thanks.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 10:44 am:
Andrea this is a very good sign, some of us start our horses out with a peppermint in the mouth to help this process...
not sure its a sign of a relaxed back and coming thru, but it is a sign of a horse that is happy and content with the bit in his mouth..
let him DrOol/foam all over .. its a good thing..
Ann
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 11:48 am:
I agree with Ann...when I've had a great ride on my mare, she looks like a mad dog at the end of the ride (and loves to wipe off all the foam on my jacketafter the ride )...and with my trainer, the mare is dripping foam all over the place. The more skilled the rider, the softer the hands, the happier the horse and more "lipstick".
Look at all the pictures of top dressage riders and you will see saliva flying everywhere. No-one can reach upper levels of dressage with a tense, unhappy horse. Look at less skilled riders and you won't see as much (if any). As a beginning dressage rider, be very pleased that your hands are soft enough and that your horse is well trained enough to get this response.
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Member:
Deggert
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 12:35 pm:
I have had this salivating in horses with a Bosal or side-pull, basically bitless. Must have something to do with the relaxation of the jaw and poll on the salivary glands and working the tongue?? I was amazed the first time I saw it, always thought it was the bit.
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 1:03 pm:
Andrea,
As everybody else has already said, salivation during work is a good thing. It lubricates the mouth, so it makes the bit a lot more comfortable for the horse.
Saliva comes from the horse rolling (playing)the bit in its mouth, and, I've heard, from pressure on the salivary glands due to the position of the head.
Quiet mouth activity is always a good thing in dressage competition, it shows that the horse is mentally relaxed and submissive in a healthy way.
Salivation does not, however, necessarily mean that the horse is relaxed all over or working through its back. I have seen horses that were definitely behind the bit still salivating excessively.
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Member:
Aewheele
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 5, 2004 - 2:47 pm:
Thank you all for your quick responses. My trainer had been saying very much the same thing as what has been said here. I am much more confident now that my horse is not only being obedient, but is comfortable in his work. He is 16 and just starting in dressage after being a H/J for most of his life. Over the last 1.5 years that I have owned him, he has had a lot of lameness issues that we have had to work through. It looks like he has finally come out the other side feeling good. It was touch-and-go for a long time. I am thrilled.
Thanks again, all.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Feb 6, 2004 - 8:18 am:
Though what everyone says above is true, there are also other things that may cause heavy salivation. You should open the mouth wide and check the gums for little sores or foul odor. If all seems OK and this is just happening at work things are fine.
DrO
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New Member:
Aewheele
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Posted on Friday, Feb 6, 2004 - 11:16 am:
Thanks Dr. O. I will check his mouth. Do I have to concern myself at all that heavy salivation causes gastrointestinal problems? He has had ulcers in the past.
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Member:
Chrism
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Posted on Friday, Feb 6, 2004 - 12:54 pm:
Also, a horse with a very dry mouth suggests tension. In this case, the TTEAM folks would have you wet your hand and massage the horse's gums to help relax it!
I usually give my horses a lump of sugar after bridling to encourage moisture in the mouth. If the horse has a foamy saliva lipstick, this is good, 
In any case, I understand it has to do with where the horse carried his tongue when flexed and relaxed - that this position allows the saliva to flow.
Cheers.
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