i am training to do my bhs stage 2 with horses and i was wondering if anyone colud tell me the symptoms, causes and treatments of Bruised bars(mouth) and what a curb is please!
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Hope this helps , poor horsey.
Bruised bars is usually caused by either a poorly fitted bit, or rough handling. my horses have never had it, so I'd ask the vet or trainer to check it out.
Bruised Bar,
Symptoms: not happy about having a bit in its mouth, to see any signs of it is a bit difficult for a beginner, place the hand in the mouth and hold the tongue to one side you might see some bruising but not always visible. if you do manage to get a bit in the mouth of a horse with this it will start to show distress by shaking its head etc.
Bruised Bar is not to be mistaken for bad teeth which can have similar symptoms if his back teeth need rasping.
Causes.
Ill fitting bit or rough handling.
Treatment:
Rest mouth, use a Hackiemore commonly known as a bit-less bridal THIS MUST BE FITTED BY A SADDLER OR SOMEONE WITH SIMILAR KNOWLEDGE OF HORSES, a badly fitted one can be a danger to the horse and effect its breathing.
Equine Curb: is a type of ligament damage. the the ligament effected is just below the hock at the back of the hind leg.
Hope this is of some help and good luck with your BHS Stage 2
A curb is a type of bit. It is considered a western bit and it is solid all the way across and has shanks the drop down on the side for the reins. It works on leverage and pushes up in the roof of the horses motuh.
Nruised bars in the mouth would be from a rider pulling to hard and causing the horses mouth to bruise.
To fix it do not ride in a bit for a week or two and then used something more mild or teach the rider how not to jerk the horse in the mouth so hard.
Bruised bars are caused byheavy handed riding – yanking on thebit or keeping your balance by using teh reins, etc. the bars are the space between a horse's chewing teeth and biting teeth. (Handy place for a bit – that's where the bit rests.) Treatment is rest from abusing the mouth!!
A curb bit can make this spot tender as well. A curb bit has longer shanks and works by squeezing the horse's lower jaw between the curb strap or chain (under the chin) and the bit (on the horse's tongue) and places perssure on the poll (behind the ears) from the bridle as well.
Using a lighter bit, maybe a snaffle, will help alleviate the bar pain and damage. too much bruised bars and the horse will become "hard-mouthed" – meaning the sensitivity of the bars and outh have been deadened by abuse and the horse is not as responsive.