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  Discussion on Using alum to stop bit chewing
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New Member:
rstaffor

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 4:19 pm:

Has anyone ever heard of a trainer using alum mixed in with vaseline on a bit to inhibit bit chewing? My 3-year old Arabian gelding tends to chew his bit (a half cheek snaffle), and my trainer suggested using this mixture to see if would help (she got the advice from another, more experienced trainer). But I'm reluctant to put stuff in his mouth (isn't alum a derivitive of aluminum)? Should I allow my trainer to do this or not? Aren't there better ways to inhibit a young horse from chewing the bit? He just had his teeth floated in March, and we haven't tried a nose band on him yet. He's being trained for hunter pleasure. This is my first experience working with a trainer, and my first experience assisting in the training of a young horse. Any advice or experience out there (especially using the alum)?!}}
Member:
terrido

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 4:48 pm:

Eeeew! (pucker face)

Ok, I have heard lots of odd things, and am not a trainer, am not super experienced with trying to STOP a horse from chewing a bit.....

But what I do know is that if a bit doesn't fit well, the horse will chomp hard alot on it all the time, trying to make it more comfy.

If the bit fits but isn't positioned correctly - same thing.

If the chewing is soft and not constant, then it's possibly not a problem. Just me. I am a dressage student and I want my horse to chew on the bit a little!
Member:
terrido

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 4:53 pm:

Sorry wanted to add that he is super young and maybe this is his first bit?? So the fit and position are critical.

They will chew a little, they do this until they get used to it. So it's a question of what kind of chewing, how much, how often, etc. will tell you more about the bit.

Not all bits are for all horses either. Having a good fitting bit is as important as having a properly fitting saddle especially on a young horse that is just starting.

I would not put anything on a bit to encourage chewing or to stop chewing. The last thing you want if for him to totally dislike a bit in his mouth!!
Sorry but that to me is not a good idea, vaseline? alum? would you want that in your mouth?? He is a baby, he will play with anything, make sure it fits his mouth properly, make sure it's adjusted correctly for him (bridle) and then let him find a comfort place with it before using it. Meaning keep your hands off it. Again - just my opinion here.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 5:10 pm:

Terrie and I are thinking along the same lines - she beat me to posting. The only time I've had a horse actually chewing on a bit, the bit was too large or not in the right place in the mouth. Young horses will mouth the bit until they are used to it; a lot of horses will mouth a bit if it is a new bit or new style of bit until they are used to the new feel. Many horses kind of champ a little and make a lot of saliva; this is good as it acts as a lubricant and makes for a soft mouthed horse. Oh, if there is too much steady pressure on the bit, often a horses will chew and work at the bit to try and relieve the pressure, too. If that is the cause, it's the rider, not the bit. If the bit fits right, I guess I don't really see a problem. I'd be pretty careful about putting stuff in a horse's mouth; you don't want the horse to become unaccepting of the bit!
New Member:
rstaffor

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 12:34 pm:

Thanks for the advice and quick responses. I've decided NOT to let the trainer apply alum to the bit. I believe he's just part of his learning to accept the bit. I have checked the fit of the bit, and it seems to be OK. I also make sure that I do not get in his mouth. I do alot of flexing exercises with him, so I really think the bit chewing will cease eventually. Thanks again.
New Member:
rstaffor

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008 - 12:36 pm:

OOPS! Correction - I believe IT's just part of his learning to except the bit (sorry, I used to work for a newspaper, so I proofread everything).
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