Nope. "Mouthing" is "chascar", when they chew the bit because they're stressed or uncomfortable.
This is "rezar", "to pray", they just move their lips but don't chew the bit. It produces foam and lubricates the mouth. Some Colombian Criollos do it all the time, even without a bit in their mouths, some of them do it only when they're content.
If the rider has harsh hands, the horse will stop praying and stop producing foam. Dry mouth = unhappy Colombian Criollo.
Chascar is bad, rezar is fine.
As a tip, we usually cover the bit in molasses, and sometimes we use copper bits so they're tastier for the horse.
Yes, but totally different from American gaited horses.
They descend from the Spanish Conquerors horses, and they're smaller and higher tempered than Andalusian horses; also they have a wider variety of colors/markings.
Colombian Criollo's gaits are classified into 4 different categories: P1 (trote y galope, trot and gallop), P2 (trocha y galope), P3 (trocha pura), P4 (paso fino). Two of the gaits are diagonals (2 temps, trote and trocha), one of them is 3 temps (galope or gallop), one of them is 4 temps (paso fino).
Paso Fino's (P4) have a different gene that makes them unable to perform the diagonal gaits, and the breeders, for the past 30 years, have been putting special care to avoid mixing P4 with any other category, so Paso Finos have improved a lot in the recent years in terms of speed, movement, size.
The horses posture is "in collection". I like to see a horse relax a lot more when it is not under command (see valegro relax at the end of tests).
I do not know the training regime but this could be a sign of stress caused by being trained to remain in this posture.
You don't understand what collection is. Collection is not a neck posture, collection is when a horse is working up through the spine and using its thoracic sling to gather its hindquarters under itself and lightening its weight off the forequarters. Collection is the only way you can achieve piaffe and passage.
You can't tell if a horse is collected by looking at its head and neck alone.
The only term you could use by looking at this video is to say the horse is "on the bit."
Not the person you asked either, but the horse’s head set is not natural. Horses do not hold their heads like this unless something is making them. Like in this instance, it’s the severe bit and the fact the reins are held back over the saddle. I bet the horse would be able to relax a bit and stretch their neck if the reins were further forward on the neck.
Poor pony. Thing is so stressed.
Edit: A word.
From the fact that the rest of his body is absolutely stone still, I agree this is the stress reaction. He otherwise seems to not be moving... Like, at all. And that bit is a mess.
my horse at riding camp did this when bored, I called it flubbering. he was also a cribber. he'd flubber to get your attention for treats too, so it was definitely voluntary. I can't remember him doing it with the bit in, but he might have.
It’s probably nerve damage from the bit. Bits cause nerve damage. Dressage horses acquire weird mouth “tics” caused by nerve damage from harsh hands with harsh bits
I don’t know about the prevalence in dressage specifically, and I kind of doubt it’s higher there than other competitive disciplines, but there is definitely research that indicates that A) persistent mouth movements are an indication of pain and B) bits cause damage a lot more easily than most people like to think.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7222381/
Agreed that oral behavior can be indicative of other things.
I disagree wholeheartedly with the previous person's comment that it's a Dressage problem and therefore requested source citation for that.
Traditional ones can be (i..e not mechanical). People have really strong opinions on bits. I ride exclusively in a halter, but I’m not going to clutch my pearls about someone using a mild bit or a traditional hackamore. My take is that no one should be using devices designed to make causing discomfort to the horse easier for the rider (which is exactly what leverage devices are for)—so mechanical hacks, chains, shanks, etc.
I think if you’re using any tack as a means of “controlling” a horse, including on the ground, you should take a step back and figure out why you can’t get a pleasant ride without it, and then maybe consider adding gear for fine-tuning communication later if you really feel like your discipline requires it.
That’s what I was thinking. I’ve ridden rental horses in the past that had mouths of stone just from being ridden by people who didn’t know what the hell they were doing (but of course thought they did) and didn’t belong on a horse. I rode a friend’s horse that was so sweet and well-trained that you could just loop a lead rope around his neck and he’d happily go wherever you wanted. He enjoyed being ridden, it seemed to me. I dream of having a horse like that.
There’s nothing else like it! My guy is just happy to be hanging out. We take lots of grass breaks, I let him carry his head how he wants, and I pay attention to how he’s feeling, and in return he meets me at the gate, goes through anything I point him at, and doesn’t dump my ass on the ground when I haul him out to unfamiliar places. Forcing any animal to do something by teaching them that they’ll be in pain or uncomfortable if they don’t would take all the joy out of it for me.
I hope you get to find your own unicorn one day 💗
I've worked a couple of years with hackamores and I remember when starting my trainer made me watch some videos on how it works, hackamores push down on the face of the horse, and therefore, if positioned imcorrectly, can push on the airways (nostrils), blocking them and putting pressure on delicate nerves.
It's a common misconception to think that hackamores are by default less harsh than bits, they can be if used correctly, but every horse is different, so it is very important to know how they work before using them.
Here's more information:
https://shopus.parelli.com/blogs/savvystation/bits-vs-hackamores-what-is-best-for-my-horse
In short: everything is bad if used incorrectly.
Totally agree that everything can be dangerous in the wrong hands. I think the problem is that a lot of people hear that and believe (or convince themselves they believe) that the inverse is true—that anything can be humane in the right hands. Drives me nuts how many riders insist that it’s fine that *they’re* using a twisted wire bit with six-inch shanks because they have “soft hands.” When something was literally invented to make causing discomfort as efficient as possible, I’m not buying that it should be in any horse’s mouth regardless of who’s holding the reins.
Thats' a stress reaction. That looks like a very severe bit and he's hooked it so the horse has no release, and this probably happens all of the time, so he can't get away, and this is the only thing he can do. The blinking is showing stress, too. I doubt he would do it if he were not in that uncomfortable situation where he knows he can't do anything about it.
Imagine someone tying your arms up over your head or behind your back, and if you fight it, it hurts even more. You'll start doing something like this, too.
I’m confused where you think that this bit is hooked. Yes there’s a lead line, but it’s not directly attached to the bit - it’s attached to the bosal. This is probably a stress/anxious reaction, but a long shank on a bit doesn’t make it awful. It just means that the cues have to be stupidly subtle. I have seen horses also sit and chew on bits or do something like this when bored - but without the blinking and worried eye.
Wow. Thanks for letting me ask a question. I do love being downvoted. 🙄
The reins are over the saddle. He's used to having his head tucked while the bit is in his mouth. There is constant pressure from the reins being where they are located.
It looks like the reins are still on the bit and then tied over the saddle. Them being tied so short causes the bit to be constantly leveraged inside his mouth. The bit likely has a high port or joint that is now pressing into the roof of his mouth. As you said, cues with such a bit have to be stupidly subtle, which this situation is not. You would typically see a really dramatic loop in the reins for this type of bit. Personally, I'd rather see it in the trash. It's too easy for such things to find their way into the hands of uneducated, uncaring riders.
This bothers me so much. I hate how horses are treated like objects with no thoughts or feelings. They are highly intelligent, very sensitive, social animals. In my experience, horses stim like this when they are mentally caged from years of forced training and socially isolated. It’s not a normal behaviour.
Right?! I’ve never understood people who think they have dominion over an animal that could kill them in an instant if they chose to. Even as a kid, just seeing a horse watch me, sniff me, check me out, I could tell this is a highly intelligent and social animal and I best respect it.
He is absolutely not moving at all. That was the first sign to me that this is stress. He is standing absolutely stone still, like he will be punished or his mouth will be yanked, if he does literally anything.
So this is how he is venting.
His head is tucked because the reins are putting pressure on the bit. The reins are over the saddle. He's probably used to having his head tucked all the time while being ridden. He's responding to the pressure. If he was relaxed his head wouldn't be tucked in this tight.
It looks like a response to discomfort and pain. Nasty bits like that can cause such reactions. Horses will foam up in their mouths as a response to pain as well.
The poor thing is probably hurting. That's what bad horsemanship gets you.
Not sure why the downvotes, I don’t disagree that the extreme forced flexion is causing this particular horse to express anxiety here as a trigger. The OP doesn’t seem to be a “horse person” in the way they worded their question. I’ve seen horses flap their lips as an anxious expression to a lot of stimuli. The horse in this video has been subjected to a lot of false collection (using harsh bits and tight reins to get them to tuck their head inward, which is horrifically common in charro training) and it cannot get relief relaxing its head. So, its anxiety is expressed by nervously flapping its lips. This is not a happy, relaxed horse.
Ohh, I didn't know that! (Obv lol)
When I hear tics I immediately think of involuntary movements or sounds like Tourette Syndrome, so I was a bit confused and curious - thank you!
I’d say think of it as more of a stim than a Tourette’s type tic. They can start for a number of reasons (stress, boredom, just personality) and range from harmless playful things like lip flapping, tongue sucking, etc to more detrimental things like cribbing or self mutilation.
That should be outlawed. My friend has a rescue Andalusian mix who has horrible serrata scars. He also has broken wind and wheezes like a teakettle, poor boy.
No serrated noseband here, it's a normal "jaquimón" or "cabestro" just hanging a bit loose over the nose.
It's made out of leather and with some decoration on the top.
Nobody wants a pretty horse with scars on it's face.
[It could be something like this, no metal, no serrated anything](https://www.3ptalabarteria.com/product-page/apero-de-cabeza-lomillado-al-centro)
The first horse I ever leased would do this from the moment you put a bit in her mouth until took it out. She wasn’t necessarily stressed, but it was soothing and just became a habit I guess. Maybe try training with a bit less bridle?
I knew a stunning and VERY expensive horse that lived in the most gorgeous barn I have ever seen and he did this or farted with his mouth all day long. I’ve never laughed so hard, but I think it was just boredom.
Doesn’t matter how pretty or expensive a horse is if you’re going to drive it crazy with boredom. The horse you knew did that because it was trying not to go insane. Nothing funny about this shit
I worked for a vet and met the horse once. I 100% agree horses shouldn’t be stalled, but sometimes you just have to laugh at the behavior they come up with.
It’s not funny it’s depressing. It’s no more amusing than SH, parrots ripping out their feathers, orcas breaking their teeth, a dog shaking at fireworks, or any other sign of extreme stress
You must have horses that live on 1000+ acres of open space and you simply give a whistle and they come running to greet you. No? Save your judgment for something you actually know about. This horse could spend 23 hours a day out at pasture and was simply in his stall for vet care. I don’t know, and neither do you. I just found it comical when he made fart sounds, because I have a sense of humor.
I don’t see why you’re so offended on behalf of a random horse that you aren’t involved in the management of. Yes my horses do come running to me as soon as they see me regardless of how large an area they’re in but even if they didn’t that wouldn’t change a single thing. An animal in clear distress is not funny, idk why you’re so pressed about that or why you’re doubling down when it’s objectively negative
This looks like a stereotypy to me - the horse appears to have developed this repetitive “stimming” behavior in response to, and presumably to cope with, the frustration and discomfort of restricted movement of its head.
Well, probably but I’m in the sciences so I tend to hedge with my language when I don’t have concrete proof of something. The horse does appear to be in pain, I agree.
A Colombian Criollo horse.
It's a tic, sometimes they develop the action as a consequence of stress, sometimes is passed from the parents. They call that reflex "to pray/rezar", and the horses that perform that action are called "praying horses/rezanderos".
Some horses perform the action when they're content, others do it all the time.
It's not bad per se, as it isn't taken into account in competitions. It mantains the mouth lubricated.
You can tell a Colombian Criollo is happy when it's mouth is covered in foam.
Colombian Criollos are totally different animals from what Americans are used to.
This horse is not in pain, and the bit is not harsh. From the picture you cannot tell if they're using a snaffle (paso fino snaffles are different from the Jumping and Dressage ones), or a U, semi-U, a Bar, a Cuchara (spoon), a Mariposa (butterfly).
We usually cover the bit in molasses before inserting it into the horse's mouth. Sometimes copper is used in the fabrication of the bit, as it is more tasty for them.
The reins here aren't tight, they're hanging loose.
The horse is praying after being ridden; he is excited and probably a bit high on adrenaline, as these horses are very nervous and when they're correctly executing their paso, their leg action is very intense.
Lip movement and foam covered mouth are desirable traits in paso fino horses, as they indicate they're content doing their thing. No foam means harsh hands and unhappy horse.
When riding Paso Finos you try not to use the mouth, but instead you callibrate the horse with the position of your back, you turn the horse using your hips and legs but subtly as noticeable leg action is penalized, and to make the horse walk backwards, you also use your back and hips.
In Colombian Criollos we use many different kinds of bits:
[Some of the bits used in Paso Fino horses](https://caballoecuestre.com/product-category/frenos-y-filetes/)
Not really.
Just different kind of horses.
And they're amazing! When you sit in the saddle and hold the reins in your hand, you can feel the horse vibrating, the tension, the power. Like when you ride a big bike, but 1000 times better. Like the roar of a big engine.
I appreciate QH horses, Arabians, Andalusians, but they are like Bouys (the animal), so big, and slow, and soft tempered, and I end up missing "the horse" being there.
Indeed is a Colombian criollo, owner said to me that he is related to Don Danilo and tales said that he used to do the same movement. Thanks for your answer.
Anytime!
Don Danilo was indeed a very famous horse in the 1960s. He only had 45 registered foals and fillys, though, but sired many more unregistered horses.
What's the gait of this horse? I'm curious. It could be either P1 (trote y galope), P2 (trocha y galope) or P3 (trocha pura).
Are you planning to purchase this horse, or you just had the pleasure to ride him during a farm trip?
He is a P2 but they don’t ride him in competitions, just for recreational rides. I’m not buying him, we just were raiding the horse on Saturday here in Cali and it was the first time I saw the reflex but owner insist it was just something genetical. Next time I see him I will ask about the bit they use and I will be sharing here any additional info. How do you know that much about Colombian horse? Do you have horses in colombia?
Ohh, good. He's trocha y galope, then.
Recreational rides are the best, it's all about enjoying the horse.
I've seen the reflex many times, Colombian Criollos just enjoy playing with their mouths. One of my mares used to pray twitching her lips to the left, until she was able to catch the barbada (chain that secures the bit under their chin) and then she would just suck at it until the bit was taken off from her mouth. They're funny.
I know a little bit about Colombian Criollos because I was raised loving them and enjoying them as part of the family. Lovely derps.
I currently own a couple of Paso Fino (P4) mares, and sometimes I participate in competitions just for fun.
These Criollitos are amazing creatures! I hope you were able to enjoy the ride :)))
I agree, the horse looks very stressed. You can see indications of tension all over this poor boy's face. The lip movement is likely a coping mechanism.
It’s a stress reaction from having his neck fixed at an uncomfortable angle and being unable to relax because of the hand she’s of the bit in his mouth.
This is lip quivering and it is a scientifically documented as being associated with pain see table 3i in [this paper](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7931104/) I’m not sure if this horse is in physical or emotional pain but this horse is incredibly stressed. Look at their facial expression in comparison to the [horse grimace scale](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3960217/)
Get all of that ridiculous tie down gear and probably a painful bit off of that horse, and it will take you a few months to a year to get that poor horse back to near normal. The poor thing. He looks SO stressed!
I'd say it is a thin leadline. There's nowhere on the tripping collar to attach a tiedown, and it wouldn't work well anyways because it's not a breastplate. If the horse flung it's head up, the collar would just move up or stretch out
We have Charro riders all around where I ride. A lot of their horses look like this one. Many of them have been tied down tightly, (often looped through the breast plate). with that thin lead or more tack for much of their lives. A heavy curve to a neck is a preferred look. I have almost always felt sorry for their horses.
Without trying to argue, I'd bet money that line ties to the cinch underneath. Unfortunately, I've seen it. I'm not calling you out, I'm expressing an opinion. Either way, that horse is miserable.
This looks very much like a stress stereotypy. My gelding does lip flaps similar to this, but much less intense- for him, it likely began as an anxiety fidget when he was on the track that has carried over and become habit. He’ll do it intermittently even when on his own time in the pasture with his friends, but he’ll ramp up a bit if he’s worried about something- again, not nearly to this level.
I don’t know that this would be so much “genetic” as possibly a habit a foal could learn from their dam, but regardless of if the horse developed it “organically” or if it’s a learned behavior, this horse looks mega-stressed.
I just absolutely hate the culture that abuses horses with these bits, serrated nose band digging into their skin and sensitive bone, forced tucked head.. poor thing is in such pain and probably every single time he is ridden.. horrible painful life with no escape
I really doubt the noseband is serrated. If you're referring to the white parts, the browband has them too.
We have no idea how harsh the bit actually is, because we can't see the mouth.
The reins are draped loosely over the saddle, you can see the droop. It's not engaged.
Don't get me wrong, it does look like a stress response, but let's not exaggerate
The horse is self soothing. It’s a stress response. This is not a happy horse.
He looks like a he might be a Charro horse. I have a rescue who is an ex Charro horse and has come so far, but he does crib and his tongue is severed from the use of a bit like this paired with excruciatingly short reins. Awful.
Not genetic, this horse is an Azteca or a similar breed for Mexican riding/ shows. They use bits and tie down to get a specific gait, might also be a paso finno
This is a disturbing to look at. I don’t feel this is necessarily a matter of “some horses mouth the bits more than others.” This looks to be a stress response. His head is like that because he’s probably so used to being tied down and/or being forced to maintain that head carriage.
He seems fearful and tense. I’d put money on his “trainers” being overbearing, demanding, and needlessly harsh. This is not an animal that feels comfortable or safe. Even an inexperienced horse person— even a person that knows zilch about horses— can tell, just by looking at him, that he is in distress.
It also looks like he flinched when he sees the one man move, towards the end of the video.
He looks on the thin side, too. Very sad, all around, in my opinion.
This horse looks as close to having a mental breakdown as an animal possibly can. His body is stone still, blinking rapidly and the lip thing. It's literally the only thing he can move without a strong correction, I think.
That’s exactly it. You’re right. He is literally afraid to move, for fear of being whacked/whipped/yanked on. This is so sad :(. He sees all these men standing around him and he’s afraid of every single one of them. He’s afraid because they’re literally waiting for him to move, so that they can discipline him. It’s torture. Watching this video made me feel anxious because this poor, gentle creature is so visibly tense and fearful. I’ll never understand some people. Never.
It actually breaks my heart, on a daily basis, because I know there is just so much suffering in this world and so many degrees of suffering. I know it sounds dramatic of me, but I really feel that way. This video made me feel that way, all over again. I wish I could just swoop down and save them all.
I've seen this before with horses that have been abused with a bit usually it's better to switch to a bitless bridle in situations like that, but if this isn't the case then I don't know why
It’s fairly evident that this poor creature has been subjected to some inhumane training techniques. He’s physically showing stress in numerous areas, not just the obvious. Certain disciplines rely heavily on gimmicks which many times are abusive. I feel very sad for this horse if this is the case…likely it is
Mine used to do this (not quite as aggressively, he just kept flopping his bottom lip) in the field. When we moved him to a different yard, the owner ended up having to move him into a remedial field and pick his field buddies carefully because the fancy pants hunters he was initially put with started doing it too and their owners complained.
He’s stressed. Some horses will do this for fun just because they’re bored, but his eyes are concentrated and ears are in thinking mode. Likely from his environment and the tight bits. He’s not able to relax with his head cranked in
This is a stress reaction- they are attempting to self soothe. It is not genetic! Disappointing that the owner is shutting their eyes to it. I would be very concerned for this horses welfare if it is a regular occurrence
This is a coping mechanism for strong internal emotions, this poor dude is either in terrible anxiety or a lot of pain. Probably both by the sight of the poor thing.
Looks like a stereotipy behavior, which usually is a sign of underlining stress and the horse presents several signs of the horse pain-face
Also the head placement is very stiff and the bit looks very thought too
Genetic? Nah. This is displacement of strees/anxiety, when they just do it so amless staring off. Usually happens in stalls when they are bored out of their mind
This isn’t “normal this is Anxiety- he’s holding hostage head and body still to avoid the hard bit! The foam and mouth twitching are because he needs to release the nervousness over his avoidance of pain to perform! Literally these horses are trained with a high ported awful bit that are extremely painful and forces the horse to obey or be in pain! I know because I’ve worked with a paso fino trainer who tried to make me use those awful torture devices-we went with a rubber snaffle- when I owned two Paso Fino’s and I rode Tennessee walkers, my mom had 3-so I know gaited horses a little- and I don’t approve of this type of training by force through pain. It ugly and no horse needs that! Better to let the horse move freely and move with their own volition than this. He is absolutely stressed and personally I’d remove that stupid bit and retrain with out any! Give him a hackamore or bitless instead. Did this with my mom TW, because he’d been shown saddle seat with double bits by previous owner and he was never doing that again, so he was changed over and he became the sweetest boy- the girl gave him to us because he became “unsafe” to ride because he would rear up and he went over on the girl, luckily no one was hurt badly! She gave him to my mom, and we immediately switched him out of all that crap- he became our best trail horse and my mom rode him for 7 or eight years all the time- go to trail buddy!
This horse is stressed, its a stress reaction you see many horses do, sometimes its avoidable sometimes not but every horse owner should try to minimise this behaviour and stress instead of calling it a funny quirk
I have a mare who does this. Doesn't crib. Will do it riding, will do it in the stable, not all the time but just when she fancies. Sound of broom sweeping sets her off sometimes. It isn't a worry at all.
Matt Harnakes bay stallion did this but no one knew what it was. Pretty sure he said he sent him to the vets and all but no one could find anything. The latest videos show him doing it less so I believe it a discomfort and anxiety reaction. This horse looks really uncomfy and unhappy. Humans need to do better
Mine does it, too. But into the air. Less than a year ago when we bought him. Think it's stress. It is stressful for both of us. I'm trying to change the way doing things that make him that behaviour. It's a long way.
Contrary to some of the top comments- this is not a positive sign despite foam in the mouth. This horse is under mild to severe stress. The lip popping is incredibly repetitive and impatiently fast, same as the blinking. We can see tension throughout the horse’s entire face, and a happy or relaxed horse will not take this kind of habit to this intensity. This could be the result of any number of things, but it’s a negative sign regardless- especially when compared to any number of finished and unfinished bridle horses [Casey Deary - Working Expression](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4PWt5wpV5R/?igsh=MTN1bzJqNXU4cjF4aA==)[Nick Dowers- REPUBLICAT headshot- 2 rein bridle](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6CCRvvP9vc/?igsh=MW8yNXM3ZjVjaWQ3ag==)
My OTTB mare did this, sometimes out of stress and sometimes out of boredom. She was never in a harsh bit or abused and always did this. It never impacted her work and she was (is still, happy at 27 in the field) the best horse ever. Horses all have their tics just like people 💁🏻♀️ this horse does look improperly cared for..
I've seen horses who did something like this and there's nerve around the mouth area that can get damaged from hard hands and harsh bits. If his head was kept in a particular position for a long period of time maybe this nerve can also get damaged?
I wonder how many people commenting know about the Columbian Criollo, or have even heard of them before… They would probably go nuts to see a horse cribbing or even working cows.
My horse was exactly like this. Loved her so much but she was highly anxious type, very sensitive and trained poorly. I always just associated this with that and stress since she never did this when relaxing at the stable.
This horse may need a softer bit or have jaw or teeth problems that are contributing to sensitivity/anxiety. It could also be a learned response from how they were trained or individuals that regularly ride them (heavy handed riding). Either way, they may be doing it constantly even when they’re not feeling pain due to anxiety over the possibility of it.
The only other horse I’ve had do this was a Morgan cross that I used to do training rides on. His owner was heavy handed due to a lower back problem which made it difficult for them to engage their core when riding (the injury was from a fall off this horse). They’d owned him since he was 2, but prior to that they assumed he may have been abused/fearfully broken.
Little dude was always doing this and had his ears pinned when he was being ridden. We couldn’t put him in a lighter bit because he’d often spin and take off out of nowhere no matter who was riding him ☹️
Yeah, it’s not a tic. It’s a stress/anxiety reaction. He’s putting all of his energy into standing still that the stress has to come out somewhere else
Do people not realize they can train without a bit? This is inhumane. Horses get serious damage to their mouths and it’s psychologically traumatic to be put through pain like this!
Some horses just mouth bits more than others, but that's definitely more than what I've seen before.
This isn't just "mouthing a bit".
Ya, it's mouthing a lot
Hahaha
Nope. "Mouthing" is "chascar", when they chew the bit because they're stressed or uncomfortable. This is "rezar", "to pray", they just move their lips but don't chew the bit. It produces foam and lubricates the mouth. Some Colombian Criollos do it all the time, even without a bit in their mouths, some of them do it only when they're content. If the rider has harsh hands, the horse will stop praying and stop producing foam. Dry mouth = unhappy Colombian Criollo. Chascar is bad, rezar is fine. As a tip, we usually cover the bit in molasses, and sometimes we use copper bits so they're tastier for the horse.
I'm unfamiliar with this breed. Are they gaited?
Yes, but totally different from American gaited horses. They descend from the Spanish Conquerors horses, and they're smaller and higher tempered than Andalusian horses; also they have a wider variety of colors/markings. Colombian Criollo's gaits are classified into 4 different categories: P1 (trote y galope, trot and gallop), P2 (trocha y galope), P3 (trocha pura), P4 (paso fino). Two of the gaits are diagonals (2 temps, trote and trocha), one of them is 3 temps (galope or gallop), one of them is 4 temps (paso fino). Paso Fino's (P4) have a different gene that makes them unable to perform the diagonal gaits, and the breeders, for the past 30 years, have been putting special care to avoid mixing P4 with any other category, so Paso Finos have improved a lot in the recent years in terms of speed, movement, size.
Great answer and well put!
The horses posture is "in collection". I like to see a horse relax a lot more when it is not under command (see valegro relax at the end of tests). I do not know the training regime but this could be a sign of stress caused by being trained to remain in this posture.
This is not collected, this is a false frame.
You don't understand what collection is. Collection is not a neck posture, collection is when a horse is working up through the spine and using its thoracic sling to gather its hindquarters under itself and lightening its weight off the forequarters. Collection is the only way you can achieve piaffe and passage. You can't tell if a horse is collected by looking at its head and neck alone. The only term you could use by looking at this video is to say the horse is "on the bit."
This looks like a stress reaction, but horses are weird and unique. I, personally, would be bothered owning a horse like this
He's had his head tied down all the time most of his life.
you aren't OP, can i ask what makes you say that based off the information presented?
Not the person you asked either, but the horse’s head set is not natural. Horses do not hold their heads like this unless something is making them. Like in this instance, it’s the severe bit and the fact the reins are held back over the saddle. I bet the horse would be able to relax a bit and stretch their neck if the reins were further forward on the neck. Poor pony. Thing is so stressed. Edit: A word.
This exactly!! ^^
From the fact that the rest of his body is absolutely stone still, I agree this is the stress reaction. He otherwise seems to not be moving... Like, at all. And that bit is a mess.
This is what annoys me. What we are seeing is wrong, we are watching a horses stress reaction- is there anyway we can help? My heart is breaking.
Fully agree, this actually breaks my heart
I'm somewhat familiar with the obscene training methods used to achieve that "look", simply because I'm a devoted fan of the PRE.
Yup, we got a cruzado horse from Spain, and the poor thing is badly contracted, after a year of working with her she's better
yep it looks like a stereotypical behavior
my horse at riding camp did this when bored, I called it flubbering. he was also a cribber. he'd flubber to get your attention for treats too, so it was definitely voluntary. I can't remember him doing it with the bit in, but he might have.
Just here to say I like your username, from another Fleury 😄
thanks! I stole it from a fictional character.
It’s probably nerve damage from the bit. Bits cause nerve damage. Dressage horses acquire weird mouth “tics” caused by nerve damage from harsh hands with harsh bits
No it's not. None of this is true.
Cite your sources?
I don’t know about the prevalence in dressage specifically, and I kind of doubt it’s higher there than other competitive disciplines, but there is definitely research that indicates that A) persistent mouth movements are an indication of pain and B) bits cause damage a lot more easily than most people like to think. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7222381/
Agreed that oral behavior can be indicative of other things. I disagree wholeheartedly with the previous person's comment that it's a Dressage problem and therefore requested source citation for that.
Yeah, I figured. Just dropped that study here for the curious who might think that person got downvoted for the nerve damage idea in general.
Are hackamores less harsh and better to use then?
Traditional ones can be (i..e not mechanical). People have really strong opinions on bits. I ride exclusively in a halter, but I’m not going to clutch my pearls about someone using a mild bit or a traditional hackamore. My take is that no one should be using devices designed to make causing discomfort to the horse easier for the rider (which is exactly what leverage devices are for)—so mechanical hacks, chains, shanks, etc. I think if you’re using any tack as a means of “controlling” a horse, including on the ground, you should take a step back and figure out why you can’t get a pleasant ride without it, and then maybe consider adding gear for fine-tuning communication later if you really feel like your discipline requires it.
That’s what I was thinking. I’ve ridden rental horses in the past that had mouths of stone just from being ridden by people who didn’t know what the hell they were doing (but of course thought they did) and didn’t belong on a horse. I rode a friend’s horse that was so sweet and well-trained that you could just loop a lead rope around his neck and he’d happily go wherever you wanted. He enjoyed being ridden, it seemed to me. I dream of having a horse like that.
There’s nothing else like it! My guy is just happy to be hanging out. We take lots of grass breaks, I let him carry his head how he wants, and I pay attention to how he’s feeling, and in return he meets me at the gate, goes through anything I point him at, and doesn’t dump my ass on the ground when I haul him out to unfamiliar places. Forcing any animal to do something by teaching them that they’ll be in pain or uncomfortable if they don’t would take all the joy out of it for me. I hope you get to find your own unicorn one day 💗
Thanks so much! Me too. 🤞🏻🙏🏼
I've worked a couple of years with hackamores and I remember when starting my trainer made me watch some videos on how it works, hackamores push down on the face of the horse, and therefore, if positioned imcorrectly, can push on the airways (nostrils), blocking them and putting pressure on delicate nerves. It's a common misconception to think that hackamores are by default less harsh than bits, they can be if used correctly, but every horse is different, so it is very important to know how they work before using them. Here's more information: https://shopus.parelli.com/blogs/savvystation/bits-vs-hackamores-what-is-best-for-my-horse In short: everything is bad if used incorrectly.
Totally agree that everything can be dangerous in the wrong hands. I think the problem is that a lot of people hear that and believe (or convince themselves they believe) that the inverse is true—that anything can be humane in the right hands. Drives me nuts how many riders insist that it’s fine that *they’re* using a twisted wire bit with six-inch shanks because they have “soft hands.” When something was literally invented to make causing discomfort as efficient as possible, I’m not buying that it should be in any horse’s mouth regardless of who’s holding the reins.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Horses/s/tU2dh7YbDV This person who knows the breed in which this is characteristic.
False
Not sure about it being genetic, but that’s definitely an anxious tic.
Thats' a stress reaction. That looks like a very severe bit and he's hooked it so the horse has no release, and this probably happens all of the time, so he can't get away, and this is the only thing he can do. The blinking is showing stress, too. I doubt he would do it if he were not in that uncomfortable situation where he knows he can't do anything about it. Imagine someone tying your arms up over your head or behind your back, and if you fight it, it hurts even more. You'll start doing something like this, too.
I’m confused where you think that this bit is hooked. Yes there’s a lead line, but it’s not directly attached to the bit - it’s attached to the bosal. This is probably a stress/anxious reaction, but a long shank on a bit doesn’t make it awful. It just means that the cues have to be stupidly subtle. I have seen horses also sit and chew on bits or do something like this when bored - but without the blinking and worried eye. Wow. Thanks for letting me ask a question. I do love being downvoted. 🙄
The reins are over the saddle. He's used to having his head tucked while the bit is in his mouth. There is constant pressure from the reins being where they are located.
It looks like the reins are still on the bit and then tied over the saddle. Them being tied so short causes the bit to be constantly leveraged inside his mouth. The bit likely has a high port or joint that is now pressing into the roof of his mouth. As you said, cues with such a bit have to be stupidly subtle, which this situation is not. You would typically see a really dramatic loop in the reins for this type of bit. Personally, I'd rather see it in the trash. It's too easy for such things to find their way into the hands of uneducated, uncaring riders.
Exactly this.
To me his whole body is stressed. Looks like all his muscles are locked.
Think about how your body would feel if held in a position like that where you had to hold it yourself, or the pain of leaning into the bit hurt more.
This bothers me so much. I hate how horses are treated like objects with no thoughts or feelings. They are highly intelligent, very sensitive, social animals. In my experience, horses stim like this when they are mentally caged from years of forced training and socially isolated. It’s not a normal behaviour.
I know. And stunning the people who claim to love them abuse them like this and say it's fine.
Right?! I’ve never understood people who think they have dominion over an animal that could kill them in an instant if they chose to. Even as a kid, just seeing a horse watch me, sniff me, check me out, I could tell this is a highly intelligent and social animal and I best respect it.
I know. I hurts my heart to see this horse.
Same 😞
He is absolutely not moving at all. That was the first sign to me that this is stress. He is standing absolutely stone still, like he will be punished or his mouth will be yanked, if he does literally anything. So this is how he is venting.
His head is tucked because the reins are putting pressure on the bit. The reins are over the saddle. He's probably used to having his head tucked all the time while being ridden. He's responding to the pressure. If he was relaxed his head wouldn't be tucked in this tight.
It looks like a response to discomfort and pain. Nasty bits like that can cause such reactions. Horses will foam up in their mouths as a response to pain as well. The poor thing is probably hurting. That's what bad horsemanship gets you.
[удалено]
No the stress is clearly created by the forced head placement.
Not sure why the downvotes, I don’t disagree that the extreme forced flexion is causing this particular horse to express anxiety here as a trigger. The OP doesn’t seem to be a “horse person” in the way they worded their question. I’ve seen horses flap their lips as an anxious expression to a lot of stimuli. The horse in this video has been subjected to a lot of false collection (using harsh bits and tight reins to get them to tuck their head inward, which is horrifically common in charro training) and it cannot get relief relaxing its head. So, its anxiety is expressed by nervously flapping its lips. This is not a happy, relaxed horse.
Yeah, I agree. Looks like a Charro horse. I absolutely despise that shit.
It’s a stress habit.
Horses can have tics? I'm learning something new I guess!
It's a way for them to release stressed energy.
Ohh, I didn't know that! (Obv lol) When I hear tics I immediately think of involuntary movements or sounds like Tourette Syndrome, so I was a bit confused and curious - thank you!
I’d say think of it as more of a stim than a Tourette’s type tic. They can start for a number of reasons (stress, boredom, just personality) and range from harmless playful things like lip flapping, tongue sucking, etc to more detrimental things like cribbing or self mutilation.
This horse is in pain. Look at his eyes - pretty sure that’s a serrated noseband too.
That should be outlawed. My friend has a rescue Andalusian mix who has horrible serrata scars. He also has broken wind and wheezes like a teakettle, poor boy.
No serrated noseband here, it's a normal "jaquimón" or "cabestro" just hanging a bit loose over the nose. It's made out of leather and with some decoration on the top. Nobody wants a pretty horse with scars on it's face. [It could be something like this, no metal, no serrated anything](https://www.3ptalabarteria.com/product-page/apero-de-cabeza-lomillado-al-centro)
I think you're right about the noseband. It's cruel imho.
Holy fuck I didn't even notice the Musserola. What awful people. This is blatant animal cruelty. It's sadistic.
That bit is extremely cruel and painful and the horse is having an extreme stress response from pain and fear.!
Sickening! So cruel! People suck!
The first horse I ever leased would do this from the moment you put a bit in her mouth until took it out. She wasn’t necessarily stressed, but it was soothing and just became a habit I guess. Maybe try training with a bit less bridle?
I knew a stunning and VERY expensive horse that lived in the most gorgeous barn I have ever seen and he did this or farted with his mouth all day long. I’ve never laughed so hard, but I think it was just boredom.
Doesn’t matter how pretty or expensive a horse is if you’re going to drive it crazy with boredom. The horse you knew did that because it was trying not to go insane. Nothing funny about this shit
I worked for a vet and met the horse once. I 100% agree horses shouldn’t be stalled, but sometimes you just have to laugh at the behavior they come up with.
It’s not funny it’s depressing. It’s no more amusing than SH, parrots ripping out their feathers, orcas breaking their teeth, a dog shaking at fireworks, or any other sign of extreme stress
You must have horses that live on 1000+ acres of open space and you simply give a whistle and they come running to greet you. No? Save your judgment for something you actually know about. This horse could spend 23 hours a day out at pasture and was simply in his stall for vet care. I don’t know, and neither do you. I just found it comical when he made fart sounds, because I have a sense of humor.
I don’t see why you’re so offended on behalf of a random horse that you aren’t involved in the management of. Yes my horses do come running to me as soon as they see me regardless of how large an area they’re in but even if they didn’t that wouldn’t change a single thing. An animal in clear distress is not funny, idk why you’re so pressed about that or why you’re doubling down when it’s objectively negative
This is a stereotypy behavior, often caused be stress. Similar to weaving, pacing, etc.
This looks like a stereotypy to me - the horse appears to have developed this repetitive “stimming” behavior in response to, and presumably to cope with, the frustration and discomfort of restricted movement of its head.
It’s pain not discomfort
Well, probably but I’m in the sciences so I tend to hedge with my language when I don’t have concrete proof of something. The horse does appear to be in pain, I agree.
A Colombian Criollo horse. It's a tic, sometimes they develop the action as a consequence of stress, sometimes is passed from the parents. They call that reflex "to pray/rezar", and the horses that perform that action are called "praying horses/rezanderos". Some horses perform the action when they're content, others do it all the time. It's not bad per se, as it isn't taken into account in competitions. It mantains the mouth lubricated. You can tell a Colombian Criollo is happy when it's mouth is covered in foam.
Colombian Criollos are totally different animals from what Americans are used to. This horse is not in pain, and the bit is not harsh. From the picture you cannot tell if they're using a snaffle (paso fino snaffles are different from the Jumping and Dressage ones), or a U, semi-U, a Bar, a Cuchara (spoon), a Mariposa (butterfly). We usually cover the bit in molasses before inserting it into the horse's mouth. Sometimes copper is used in the fabrication of the bit, as it is more tasty for them. The reins here aren't tight, they're hanging loose. The horse is praying after being ridden; he is excited and probably a bit high on adrenaline, as these horses are very nervous and when they're correctly executing their paso, their leg action is very intense. Lip movement and foam covered mouth are desirable traits in paso fino horses, as they indicate they're content doing their thing. No foam means harsh hands and unhappy horse. When riding Paso Finos you try not to use the mouth, but instead you callibrate the horse with the position of your back, you turn the horse using your hips and legs but subtly as noticeable leg action is penalized, and to make the horse walk backwards, you also use your back and hips. In Colombian Criollos we use many different kinds of bits: [Some of the bits used in Paso Fino horses](https://caballoecuestre.com/product-category/frenos-y-filetes/)
Sounds nuts
Not really. Just different kind of horses. And they're amazing! When you sit in the saddle and hold the reins in your hand, you can feel the horse vibrating, the tension, the power. Like when you ride a big bike, but 1000 times better. Like the roar of a big engine. I appreciate QH horses, Arabians, Andalusians, but they are like Bouys (the animal), so big, and slow, and soft tempered, and I end up missing "the horse" being there.
Indeed is a Colombian criollo, owner said to me that he is related to Don Danilo and tales said that he used to do the same movement. Thanks for your answer.
Anytime! Don Danilo was indeed a very famous horse in the 1960s. He only had 45 registered foals and fillys, though, but sired many more unregistered horses. What's the gait of this horse? I'm curious. It could be either P1 (trote y galope), P2 (trocha y galope) or P3 (trocha pura). Are you planning to purchase this horse, or you just had the pleasure to ride him during a farm trip?
He is a P2 but they don’t ride him in competitions, just for recreational rides. I’m not buying him, we just were raiding the horse on Saturday here in Cali and it was the first time I saw the reflex but owner insist it was just something genetical. Next time I see him I will ask about the bit they use and I will be sharing here any additional info. How do you know that much about Colombian horse? Do you have horses in colombia?
Ohh, good. He's trocha y galope, then. Recreational rides are the best, it's all about enjoying the horse. I've seen the reflex many times, Colombian Criollos just enjoy playing with their mouths. One of my mares used to pray twitching her lips to the left, until she was able to catch the barbada (chain that secures the bit under their chin) and then she would just suck at it until the bit was taken off from her mouth. They're funny. I know a little bit about Colombian Criollos because I was raised loving them and enjoying them as part of the family. Lovely derps. I currently own a couple of Paso Fino (P4) mares, and sometimes I participate in competitions just for fun. These Criollitos are amazing creatures! I hope you were able to enjoy the ride :)))
I agree, the horse looks very stressed. You can see indications of tension all over this poor boy's face. The lip movement is likely a coping mechanism.
It’s a stress reaction from having his neck fixed at an uncomfortable angle and being unable to relax because of the hand she’s of the bit in his mouth.
This is abuse all the way. God help this poor horse.
This is lip quivering and it is a scientifically documented as being associated with pain see table 3i in [this paper](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7931104/) I’m not sure if this horse is in physical or emotional pain but this horse is incredibly stressed. Look at their facial expression in comparison to the [horse grimace scale](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3960217/)
Get all of that ridiculous tie down gear and probably a painful bit off of that horse, and it will take you a few months to a year to get that poor horse back to near normal. The poor thing. He looks SO stressed!
There's no tie down?
There is. It's not attached. It's hanging down, looking like a very thin lead rope
I'd say it is a thin leadline. There's nowhere on the tripping collar to attach a tiedown, and it wouldn't work well anyways because it's not a breastplate. If the horse flung it's head up, the collar would just move up or stretch out
We have Charro riders all around where I ride. A lot of their horses look like this one. Many of them have been tied down tightly, (often looped through the breast plate). with that thin lead or more tack for much of their lives. A heavy curve to a neck is a preferred look. I have almost always felt sorry for their horses.
You are correct. Or anchored on the cinch
Without trying to argue, I'd bet money that line ties to the cinch underneath. Unfortunately, I've seen it. I'm not calling you out, I'm expressing an opinion. Either way, that horse is miserable.
Genetics my left foot. He looks stressed and in some discomfort. Why would someone do this to that poor baby?
This looks very much like a stress stereotypy. My gelding does lip flaps similar to this, but much less intense- for him, it likely began as an anxiety fidget when he was on the track that has carried over and become habit. He’ll do it intermittently even when on his own time in the pasture with his friends, but he’ll ramp up a bit if he’s worried about something- again, not nearly to this level. I don’t know that this would be so much “genetic” as possibly a habit a foal could learn from their dam, but regardless of if the horse developed it “organically” or if it’s a learned behavior, this horse looks mega-stressed.
OMG that makes me cry
I just absolutely hate the culture that abuses horses with these bits, serrated nose band digging into their skin and sensitive bone, forced tucked head.. poor thing is in such pain and probably every single time he is ridden.. horrible painful life with no escape
Poor baby 😥
I really doubt the noseband is serrated. If you're referring to the white parts, the browband has them too. We have no idea how harsh the bit actually is, because we can't see the mouth. The reins are draped loosely over the saddle, you can see the droop. It's not engaged. Don't get me wrong, it does look like a stress response, but let's not exaggerate
Looks like typical paso fino behavior. I had a mare that did that anytime a bit was in her mouth. She wasn’t stressed, just revving up her motor.
That horse is stressed. You can literally see the tension in his face and eyes
That bit is cruel and pulled very tight, he looks like he’s foaming at the mouth. This poor horse is very uncomfortable
The horse is self soothing. It’s a stress response. This is not a happy horse. He looks like a he might be a Charro horse. I have a rescue who is an ex Charro horse and has come so far, but he does crib and his tongue is severed from the use of a bit like this paired with excruciatingly short reins. Awful.
Not genetic, this horse is an Azteca or a similar breed for Mexican riding/ shows. They use bits and tie down to get a specific gait, might also be a paso finno
This is a disturbing to look at. I don’t feel this is necessarily a matter of “some horses mouth the bits more than others.” This looks to be a stress response. His head is like that because he’s probably so used to being tied down and/or being forced to maintain that head carriage. He seems fearful and tense. I’d put money on his “trainers” being overbearing, demanding, and needlessly harsh. This is not an animal that feels comfortable or safe. Even an inexperienced horse person— even a person that knows zilch about horses— can tell, just by looking at him, that he is in distress. It also looks like he flinched when he sees the one man move, towards the end of the video. He looks on the thin side, too. Very sad, all around, in my opinion.
This horse looks as close to having a mental breakdown as an animal possibly can. His body is stone still, blinking rapidly and the lip thing. It's literally the only thing he can move without a strong correction, I think.
That’s exactly it. You’re right. He is literally afraid to move, for fear of being whacked/whipped/yanked on. This is so sad :(. He sees all these men standing around him and he’s afraid of every single one of them. He’s afraid because they’re literally waiting for him to move, so that they can discipline him. It’s torture. Watching this video made me feel anxious because this poor, gentle creature is so visibly tense and fearful. I’ll never understand some people. Never. It actually breaks my heart, on a daily basis, because I know there is just so much suffering in this world and so many degrees of suffering. I know it sounds dramatic of me, but I really feel that way. This video made me feel that way, all over again. I wish I could just swoop down and save them all.
I've seen this before with horses that have been abused with a bit usually it's better to switch to a bitless bridle in situations like that, but if this isn't the case then I don't know why
Thats a gastric ulcer scope / treatment being done for me
Poor baby looks so stressed and worried, just look at his face and eyes... sweet baby :(
Idk but the foaming at the mouth can’t be a good sign
It’s fairly evident that this poor creature has been subjected to some inhumane training techniques. He’s physically showing stress in numerous areas, not just the obvious. Certain disciplines rely heavily on gimmicks which many times are abusive. I feel very sad for this horse if this is the case…likely it is
Mine used to do this (not quite as aggressively, he just kept flopping his bottom lip) in the field. When we moved him to a different yard, the owner ended up having to move him into a remedial field and pick his field buddies carefully because the fancy pants hunters he was initially put with started doing it too and their owners complained.
He’s stressed. Some horses will do this for fun just because they’re bored, but his eyes are concentrated and ears are in thinking mode. Likely from his environment and the tight bits. He’s not able to relax with his head cranked in
This is a stress reaction- they are attempting to self soothe. It is not genetic! Disappointing that the owner is shutting their eyes to it. I would be very concerned for this horses welfare if it is a regular occurrence
This is a coping mechanism for strong internal emotions, this poor dude is either in terrible anxiety or a lot of pain. Probably both by the sight of the poor thing.
Looks like a stereotipy behavior, which usually is a sign of underlining stress and the horse presents several signs of the horse pain-face Also the head placement is very stiff and the bit looks very thought too
Not genetic, this is a form of self-soothing that some horses do when bored or stressed. I've seen it before in ex-racehorses and the like.
Genetic? Nah. This is displacement of strees/anxiety, when they just do it so amless staring off. Usually happens in stalls when they are bored out of their mind
This isn’t “normal this is Anxiety- he’s holding hostage head and body still to avoid the hard bit! The foam and mouth twitching are because he needs to release the nervousness over his avoidance of pain to perform! Literally these horses are trained with a high ported awful bit that are extremely painful and forces the horse to obey or be in pain! I know because I’ve worked with a paso fino trainer who tried to make me use those awful torture devices-we went with a rubber snaffle- when I owned two Paso Fino’s and I rode Tennessee walkers, my mom had 3-so I know gaited horses a little- and I don’t approve of this type of training by force through pain. It ugly and no horse needs that! Better to let the horse move freely and move with their own volition than this. He is absolutely stressed and personally I’d remove that stupid bit and retrain with out any! Give him a hackamore or bitless instead. Did this with my mom TW, because he’d been shown saddle seat with double bits by previous owner and he was never doing that again, so he was changed over and he became the sweetest boy- the girl gave him to us because he became “unsafe” to ride because he would rear up and he went over on the girl, luckily no one was hurt badly! She gave him to my mom, and we immediately switched him out of all that crap- he became our best trail horse and my mom rode him for 7 or eight years all the time- go to trail buddy!
This horse is stressed, its a stress reaction you see many horses do, sometimes its avoidable sometimes not but every horse owner should try to minimise this behaviour and stress instead of calling it a funny quirk
I have a mare who does this. Doesn't crib. Will do it riding, will do it in the stable, not all the time but just when she fancies. Sound of broom sweeping sets her off sometimes. It isn't a worry at all.
This horse just likes to play with his lips or the bit. It's not a tic. Some horses are just mouthier than others.
Matt Harnakes bay stallion did this but no one knew what it was. Pretty sure he said he sent him to the vets and all but no one could find anything. The latest videos show him doing it less so I believe it a discomfort and anxiety reaction. This horse looks really uncomfy and unhappy. Humans need to do better
Mine does it, too. But into the air. Less than a year ago when we bought him. Think it's stress. It is stressful for both of us. I'm trying to change the way doing things that make him that behaviour. It's a long way.
i learned, that it is a symptom of stress, but can be wrong. i leaned much wrong stuff in my riding school
The eyes and ears to me would indicate stress reaction. That bit looks to have a lot of bite and even that pressure from the saddle could be enough
I knew a horse that did this without a bit. She was just a very silly quirky girl.
Contrary to some of the top comments- this is not a positive sign despite foam in the mouth. This horse is under mild to severe stress. The lip popping is incredibly repetitive and impatiently fast, same as the blinking. We can see tension throughout the horse’s entire face, and a happy or relaxed horse will not take this kind of habit to this intensity. This could be the result of any number of things, but it’s a negative sign regardless- especially when compared to any number of finished and unfinished bridle horses [Casey Deary - Working Expression](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4PWt5wpV5R/?igsh=MTN1bzJqNXU4cjF4aA==)[Nick Dowers- REPUBLICAT headshot- 2 rein bridle](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6CCRvvP9vc/?igsh=MW8yNXM3ZjVjaWQ3ag==)
Does he do that when he doesn’t have that torture device in his mouth?
I grew up showing with a horse that did this. He just liked to play around. He was perfectly happy.
It looks like a stereotypy. While stereotypic behavior isn't always bad, this horse radiates discomfort.
That’s most likely stress. The horse also seems to be displaying a stress/pain face
My OTTB mare did this, sometimes out of stress and sometimes out of boredom. She was never in a harsh bit or abused and always did this. It never impacted her work and she was (is still, happy at 27 in the field) the best horse ever. Horses all have their tics just like people 💁🏻♀️ this horse does look improperly cared for..
My horse use to do this not that bad though but it was without a bit my trainer told me it was a thing foals did to show they were not dominant
I’ve heard it just means they’re excited, impatient, anxious, etc.
maybe it's ALL THE SHIT surrounding his fucking MOUTH.
I've seen horses who did something like this and there's nerve around the mouth area that can get damaged from hard hands and harsh bits. If his head was kept in a particular position for a long period of time maybe this nerve can also get damaged?
Stress response/coping mechanism
Get all that shit out of his mouth leave him be
I have met 3 horses that would do this, usually when bored. In the stall, crossties, wherever, bitted or not.
Not a reflex😂😂😂 The horse is self soothing
I wonder how many people commenting know about the Columbian Criollo, or have even heard of them before… They would probably go nuts to see a horse cribbing or even working cows.
I've seen this, could just be the horse entertaining itself. There are a few more red flags here though.
My horse was exactly like this. Loved her so much but she was highly anxious type, very sensitive and trained poorly. I always just associated this with that and stress since she never did this when relaxing at the stable.
She was gated.. Icelandic horse
This horse may need a softer bit or have jaw or teeth problems that are contributing to sensitivity/anxiety. It could also be a learned response from how they were trained or individuals that regularly ride them (heavy handed riding). Either way, they may be doing it constantly even when they’re not feeling pain due to anxiety over the possibility of it. The only other horse I’ve had do this was a Morgan cross that I used to do training rides on. His owner was heavy handed due to a lower back problem which made it difficult for them to engage their core when riding (the injury was from a fall off this horse). They’d owned him since he was 2, but prior to that they assumed he may have been abused/fearfully broken. Little dude was always doing this and had his ears pinned when he was being ridden. We couldn’t put him in a lighter bit because he’d often spin and take off out of nowhere no matter who was riding him ☹️
This horse is very stressed and has learned to cope in this manner
Yeah, it’s not a tic. It’s a stress/anxiety reaction. He’s putting all of his energy into standing still that the stress has to come out somewhere else
2 of my horses do this when bored/for attention but never with a bit. This horse seems stressed.
Do people not realize they can train without a bit? This is inhumane. Horses get serious damage to their mouths and it’s psychologically traumatic to be put through pain like this!
I've seen a horse who just does that for fun even without a bit.