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Discussion on Clacking teeth
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Member:
Hally
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Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2006 - 10:31 am:
My 10 yr old mare clacks her teeth! Not grinding but clacking the old dentures. She keeps perfect time, like a metrinome, with her trot paces, be it collected or when I lengthen her stride. I have tried every bit under the sun, from rubber to french link, eggbutt, bradoon and have settled on a KK. I have had a flash on and off and that also makes no difference! She has had her teeth looked after 3 times in the last 1 1/2 yrs and they are fine.
I have come to the conclusion that this is a habit that came with the girl and nothing is going to stop her. SHe is lovely to ride, is relaxed happy and responsive and soft in the mouth. Does anybody have any brainy ideas on how to stop this clacking? It really sounds loud when you enter a dressage arena!!
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Member:
Cheryl
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 8:20 am:
What breed is your mare? Walkers will click their teeth when they gait - they get going with their head nodding and their teeth clicking with each stride - it's a good thing - something to work for.
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 8:46 am:
I knew I had heard of this in a positive light before!
Thanks for reminding me, Cheryl. I couldn't help but think that this was not a negative habit, but couldn't remember for who and why!
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Member:
Hally
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 9:14 am:
My mare is a warmblood. And in dressage clacking teeth is not looked upon in a favourable light by the judge. Perhaps I should grow her mane and tail out and try to pass her off as a Walker!
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Member:
Cheryl
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 9:46 am:
For the teeth to click the horse has to been relaxed and "loose" - it's a shame they penalize it in dressage - just means the horse is really into what they are doing. I was ecstatic the first time Fox started clicking her teeth I couldn't wait to get on the computer and tell the people who had been helping me.
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 10:15 am:
Cheryl, clacking teeth can be a sign of tension as well.. Thus in dressage a quiet mouth with lots of foam is ideal.. I have a young filly that has taken up LIP SMACKING... its a sign of tension with her.. she has tons of foam that flips all over the place while she 'smacks' her lips.. I talked to a FEI judge about it, as this filly , I hope, and I keep her sound, has the athletic ability to go far in Dressage.. He said its frowned on and depending how severe the the 'habit' becomes will count points off How do you change that? I guess time and confidence
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 11:31 am:
I have an older mare that has just taken up this habit of lip smacking and foaming at the mouth when ever we go out on a ride and when it's time to be fed. If you come up with a way to break this habit, please let me know! I'm about to DrOwn in all the foam!!
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Member:
Hally
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 7:33 pm:
Yes please if any one has any ideas I am open to them. I have only had the mare for 2 yrs and she came with the problem. Everything else about her is absolutely wonderful so its not the end of the world if people in bleachers have to hear teeth keeping perfect time to her trot. And yes I agree Ann it is a sign of tension. In her case I think given that her tail swings, her back is loose and ears relaxed, it is now a habit where once it was a learned behavior to stress. She even does it at a walk on a loose rein when I am out hacking. Not the frequency though as when she is trotting.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 10:12 pm:
I wonder if anyone manufactures equine sports mouth guards . . . for horses' teeth . . .
Clear plastic or white would be best 
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Member:
Christos
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 11:47 pm:
I'd try placing the bit one hole higher than the position it is now and see how that works, then try one hole lower.
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