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teamworkdressage
at Jilba
Caring, Professional
Excellence
202-213-3191
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Why does a horse open his mouth when the rider gives an aid for a transition?
Q:
A: The dressage rider, judge and trainer wants to see a horse that has a chewing, happy, fairly closed mouth with some saliva apparent. Nothing is more ugly than an open mouth which expresses a strong resistance of the horse to the bit generally with an angry expression. In fact when a horse opens his mouth like that it expresses his lack of submission to the bridle and his lack of trust of the bit. Instead of giving to the bridle and bit on a transition with a supple back and neck, with the poll high while maintaining a good connection.
I think as riders we must understand that the bit, however mild, is an invasion of the horse's mouth. We must try to encourage the horse to accept the bit and to chew softly on it which will cause saliva to flow. Often giving sugar or apples can help promote a chew on the bit. If the horse has a dry mouth he is generally not comfortable with the connection. Once the horse accepts the bit then we need to ride the horse always forward in the connection not back wards from the hand to the horse's mouth. Once the rider pulls both or either rein back wards toward their chest then the rider is shortening the horse's neck, which in turn tightens the back and makes it impossible to for the horse to execute the transition.
Most important in dressage schooling is the position and seat of the rider and the correct use of leg to help the horse always move forward to wards the bit not turn him back off it.To make a perfect team with your horse we need a supple and correct rider and horse who understand the signals of the other. Once these signals are established then we can finesse the aids and the rider just needs to think the move and the horse does it.
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