Bleeding from the horse’s mouth - possible causes

We have all seen the high profile cases within dressage competition, whereby a steward has noticed blood coming from a horse’s mouth. But what causes it? Typically, bleeding from the equine mouth is an indication of a wound to the inside of the mouth, or the horse or pony’s tongue.

 Sometimes, this situation happens due to the unfortunate circumstance of a stressful incident or accidental heavy-handed rein use occurring under saddle. Bleeding may be caused by a slip or a trip whilst hacking or jumping, causing the horse to bite its own tongue. The horse or pony may alternatively stumble and cut their own lips.

The bit can sometimes cause rubs to the corners of the equine’s mouth and cut the gums, so this is an important site to check, if you ever see bleeding from the mouth. Always choose a good quality, damage-free bit - browse The Saddlery Shop’s extensive range HERE!

Horses that pull back when tied up with a bridle on, or those that step on the reins after a rider fall, can in extreme cases cause the bit to be forced into the tongue, resulting in it becoming cut, and some bleeding occurring.

Occasionally horses can lose a tooth, resulting in some blood in the mouth. 

Rarely, bleeding from the mouth is a sign of a systemic blood clotting problem. In this case, it is often accompanied by blood loss from other body orifices, or other signs of severe illness.

If your horse appears to be bleeding from the mouth, it is important to first remove the bridle and carefully check the teeth and mouth. Remember, your horse may be distressed so whilst you will understandably be concerned, you must exercise caution when examining the mouth, so you don’t end up on the wrong end of those powerful teeth! If possible, it is wise to wear gloves.

If you are unable to find a cut resulting from a bite to the tongue or lips or the bit rubbing the corners of the mouth, it is important to contact your veterinarian who will conduct an examination, possibly with a dental gag on, to be able to examine the mouth more thoroughly.

The vet is also likely to assess the horse’s general health, paying particular attention to attitude, appetite, heart rate and rectal temperature to rule out body-wide bleeding problems, and then examine the mouth to find the source of the bleeding. Some mouth wounds in extreme circumstances might require stitches whilst the majority will heal well without treatment.

There are specific rules in jumping and eventing, but the guidelines in para-dressage and dressage are more ‘grey’ and subject to interpretation. FEI rules state that in minor cases of blood in the mouth, such as where a horse appears to have bitten its tongue or lip, officials may authorise the rinsing or wiping of the mouth and allow the rider to continue; although any further evidence of blood in the mouth will result in disqualification. Dressage guidelines for the Ground Jury at events also advise: ‘If a horse exhibits a sign that may indicate that it is no longer fit to compete during a competition, then it is the responsibility of the Ground Jury  to stop the horse from the competition. After an assessment made by the Veterinary Delegate and Ground Jury, if bleeding has stopped and the horse is fit to continue to compete, then it may be permitted to do so.’

We hope you enjoyed our article. For further articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.

 Author Lucy Nicholas Co-proprietor of The Saddlery Shop, recent winner of the SEIB Internet Retailer of the Year Award (British Equestrian Trade Association, BETA). Check the firm out on Facebook!

Horsey hoofcare this winter - are you managing your horses barefoot?

By Lucy Nicholas - Co-proprietor of The Saddlery Shop, recent winner of the SEIB Internet Retailer of the Year Award (British Equestrian Trade Association, BETA).

I am very interested in barefoot hoofcare, and know that many readers will be managing their horses barefoot as winter continues.

I’d like to offer my top tips on helping your horse or pony to stay sound and healthy: 

 

Diet is key when it comes to equine hoofcare - its especially important in winter! To optimise hoof health, I suggest feeding hay (preferably meadow hay as opposed to lucerne or ryegrass) ‘ad lib’, to maintain the amount of fibre in the gut, ensuring that low-sugar forage forms the largest part of a horse’s diet, and supplementing the diet with key vitamins and minerals (see below).

By providing the correct levels of balanced nutrients, you can potentially prevent problems with sub-standard hooves. Common dietary ingredients to look out for are: Biotin - a water-soluble B-complex vitamin essential for hoof horn formation; heavy-grade Magnesium Oxide, a mineral ideal for promoting stronger hooves; Methionine - an amino-acid which contains sulphur, an essential element in the formation of the protein substance keratin, the cells of which make up the hoof wall; Calcium and Zinc, minerals which are essential for cell reproduction within the hoof; and MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, an organic, bioavailable (absorbable) form of sulphur. Seek a good quality supplement now with these key ingredients, to give hooves the best chance to thrive.

Cracks and splits tend to be a sign that the hoof does not have sufficient integrity, isn’t being stimulated enough, and that the diet is sub-standard. I find that a diet low in starch and sugar, with balanced minerals and vitamins, almost always eliminates such cosmetic problems.

Do not leave your horse standing in wet conditions – such as soiled bedding - for long periods, as this can weaken the horn. Choose an absorbent bedding and skip it out frequently.

Combat thrush. This bacterial condition involves bacterium destroying the frog and sometimes exposing the deeper, sensitive tissues. Try to maintain clean, dry stable conditions and ensure the horses' feet are regularly attended to by a hoofcare professional. Regularly pick out and brush the underside of the horse’s feet.

Consider hoof boots for barefoot horses - they help boost the bare hoof’s shock absorption properties, and also protect the hoof on sharp, uneven or stony surfaces. 

  

Some horses may experience ‘footiness’ in winter due to the fact they are ridden less (e.g. exercise promotes stronger feet), combined with wetter, softer horn and more abrasive road work. Some barefoot horses will always need to wear hoof boots for concussive surfaces or longer rides, while others quickly transition from being shod and can happily negotiate all terrains. Old Mac's G2 multi purpose horse boots are excellent hoof boots that boast a unique high-tech performance out sole, incorporating the unique hoof suspension system.

Visit our main site - www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk and read our new hoofcare and booting GUIDES.

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles, videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian and countryside matters, visit www.horseandcountryside.com

Bit measuring - our top tips to help you choose the right size bit for your horse or pony

The Saddlery Shop’s Lucy Nicholas offers sizing tips, ahead of bit purchase..

If you want to obtain a new bit for your horse, once you’re sure your horse’s mouth is cut free and comfortable, you can then measure the horse’s mouth for the new bit. There are a few methods available that will enable you to measure your horse’s mouth in order to determine the correct size of bit. 

Firstly and most simply - use the handle of a wooden spoon as a measure, using martingale stops at either end - you can easily push them up to the corners of the horse or pony’s mouth, and then once you carefully remove it, measure the length of the handle from the outside of each martingale stop using a ruler. This will then determine the size of a fixed cheek bit design. For a loose ring design, you will need to add half an inch to this value. If this all seems too fiddly, and at risk of human error, ‘Bit Measures’ which are measuring rods, can be purchased from tack stores or online.

Most importantly, the bit can be assessed in situ on the horse. An instructor or trusted, experienced friend could also assist. Bit hire can be very useful!

A general guide to ensuring your bit is at the correct height in the mouth would be to aim for a lip wrinkle at the corners of the mouth.  Bear in mind that mouth conformation varies, and some horses are much shorter from the corner of the lip to the muzzle, so in this instance don’t be tempted to shorten the cheek pieces excessively. When fitting a bit with a fixed cheek, such as the Eggbutt, the lip should gently brush up against the butt end ensuring a snug, although not tight, fit. Whereas if using a loose ring bit, the general rule would be to have clearance either side of no more than one eighth of an inch from the corner of the lip up to the hole that the bit ring passes through.

Once you have chosen the bit you wish to buy, it is important to measure the bit itself too once you have hired or purchased it, as manufacturer’s sizings may differ.

Finally, the fit of the bit needs to be assessed at rest, and then with a contact. Obviously your horse will let you know if he’s comfortable! Bitting discomfort can be a serious issue, as if your horse is uncomfortable in its mouth, it will often lead to the equine being resistant in the contact, and unhappy and stressed in their ridden work, resulting in poor performance. Seek advice from a retailer experienced in bitting advice if required.

Lucy Nicholas is Co-proprietor of The Saddlery Shop, recent winner of the SEIB Internet Retailer of the Year Award (BETA).

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian & countryside matters, visit www.horseandcountryside.com  

Bitting Q&A

We thought you may like to hear about a recent bitting issue that Lucy Nicholas helped a customer of The Saddlery Shop with.

Question -

Dear Lucy Nicholas

"I am desperate to find an answer to my young horse’s bitting problems. He is a 15.2hh Warmblood x pony rising 5yrs.I have owned him since a foal and he is a big, confident character who does like to be in charge of situations. His main problem is taking any sort of pressure; he is happy to hack out, though does on occasion get his tongue over the bit, even on the quietest walk. His teeth have been checked regularly.”

This is a difficult problem and horses that put their tongue out cannot always be cured - even in a bitless bridle, the tension caused by just being ridden can be enough for it to manifest itself! 

There are two ways to go, in my mind as The Saddlery Shop’s resident bitting expert. You could try a high ported bit to physically help prevent him doing it, or try to find a solution (with a bit or a bitless bridle) that he feels happy and confident with. The problem is of course that he may not feel happy in anything, and if you try to prevent him doing it by using a high ported bit or something else with the same principles, it could cause more problems, as you have found. 

My ‘first port of call’ suggestion for this and other horses that put their tongue over the bit would be to try the Myler short shank combination bit (3304) which has a low ported, comfort snaffle mouthpiece - this is the most popular Myler combination bit that we retail at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk . 

The 3304 uses the comfort snaffle mouthpiece, which acts on the tongue and corners of the bars of the mouth, gently wrapping the lips, but the port gives more tongue relief when the bit is not engaged by the rider. The combination bits can be useful to school horses in when they are normally ridden in a double bridle, as it encourages self carriage and natural lightness.

Bit hire is of course a good way to try out new bits and The Saddlery Shop is happy to offer this service.

 

Dental checks by an equine dental technician or vet are recommended at least once a year. For articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.

Do you dare to bare?

How lovely it was to see Pippa Hutton’s ride Belmondo in Horse & Hound magazine recently - this is an elite dressage horse that is managed barefoot. The gelding, co-owned by Talland’s renowned dressage guru (and Pippa’s mother) Pammy Hutton, allowed Pippa to finish as the best placed Brit in the recent Under 25s team test at the European Championships. “He’s my knight in shining armour and probably the first Grand Prix [dressage] Grand Prix horse,” Pippa told H&H.

Although that accolade probably lies with American Shannon Peters’ ride, ‘Flor de Selva’, Belmondo is certainly the highest profile British barefoot horse we can think of currently in the mainstream riding disciplines, and it makes us very happy to see such an influential dressage family embracing barefoot.

At The Saddlery Shop we are advocates of barefoot horsecare, yet we do realise that it isn’t for everyone - the question of whether all horses can go bare is a hotly-contested subject amongst hoof care professionals, and one answer that we frequently hear is that: “every horse can go barefoot, but not every owner can!” The reasons for this argument are that shoes are a convenience for the owner that allow the hooves to be maintained in such a way that little needs to be done by the owner to keep the horse sound enough to work on most surfaces.

Barefoot management however requires that hooves are kept in prime condition, and some horses will be harder to maintain in a barefoot regime that others, depending on their background. Transitioning horses with less than ideal hooves may be a job that requires time, patience and a little investment, at least in the beginning, and in all cases, the management of a barefoot horse may not suit the owner’s requirements for practices that are predominantly chosen for convenience (such as stabling).

With the advent of modern hoof boots to prevent wear, the need to shoe is even further in question. Check out our wide range! The Saddlery Shop stocks hoof boots from all of the main brands, such as Easycare, Cavallo, Equine Fusion, Renegades and Floating Hoof Boots. If you are unsure what model of hoof boot will suit your horse or pony, ask your hoofcare practitioner for advice, or chat to a retailer. Hoof boot hire is available at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk. The book, The Barefoot Horse - an Introductory Guide to Barefoot & Booting, is also available here.

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles, videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian and countryside matters, visit http:www.horseandcountryside.com  

Treating horses with bites

• For a one-off bite, apply an ice pack, or bathe with cool, salt water. (You can purchase re-usable gel packs that remain flexible when frozen.)
• For multiple fly bites, a mild horse shampoo can cool the inflamed skin and will help to remove irritating scurf and bacteria.
• As they are alkaline, a sting from a wasp (pictured) should be bathed with a dilute acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Bee stings, however, are acidic and should ideally be bathed with bicarbonate of soda.
• Try to prevent the horse making the affected area worse by rubbing. A soothing topical antiseptic cream may help.
• It is rare for a bite to turn septic; if the area is open and weeping, bathe with a medicated product. If this does not help, consult your vet, in case the bite needs further attention.
• Keep a ‘fly kit’ at the yard with the above products and ingredients, plus a bowl and some saline solution and cotton wool, ready for when it is needed.
  

Preventative measures to prevent fly bites

• Consider physical barriers, such as anti-midge fly masks and rugs - they’re usually made from a strong mesh material.
  
• Apply a high-quality, long-lasting fly spray.

• Spray clean stables with a disinfectant, to maintain a clean environment.

• Try to eliminate puddles and ponds of still water where midges might breed.
  
• Keep horses stabled when the flies are bad.

Consider a fly repellent collar

Insect repellent collars are my favourite form of fly-bite prevention. They’re a very easy and effective way to give your horse constant and total protection from flying insects. The insect repellent collar contains a blend of natural ingredients to protect the horse or pony against most parasites such as flies, mosquitoes, horse flies and midges. The collars are effective for three to four weeks, depending on climatic conditions. Once the active ingredient reaches the surface of the collar, it then migrates across the horse or pony to give total coverage. I find them to be about 80-90% effective - the same as an expensive fly repellent. My horses have them on 24/7 with no rubs or problems and I ride and do everything as normal with them on.

Visit our main page www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to browse our summer range.For articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit http://www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.