How to cure mouth cuts?

My horse has cuts on the edges of his mouth... what to do?

• hi everyone i ride my horse wave western style, my horse is a stallion and is very energetic, he pulls on the rains alot and he usually hates to walk or move slowly so i always have to restrain him and pull the rains back... lately ive noticed he has been getting blood stains on the corners of his mouth from cuts (on the corners of him mouth were the rains are).... i have no idea how to take care of this problem i have tried not ridding him for a day or two just walking him alot so the wounds would heel but the moment i get back on him to ride, we return with fresh open cuts ==" poor wave i dont know what to do anymore... help plz ps. yes i am going to consult a vet if i dont get any helpful advice here thank you

• Answer:

  You can put Vaseline on the cuts to help them heal and protect them. If he has cuts that bad they will need a good time to heal a coule of days is not longenough. Give it a week. Don't know about where you are but here we can buy rubber 'donuts' which go between the edge of the bit and the horse's mouth on either side to help stop this problem. These are circular pieces of rubber with a circle cut out the centre - you can even get them different colours- and you need to soak them in hot water before you stretch them over the bt. When you put the bit Ito the horse's mouth you have to make sure the rubber donuts are positioned upside te mouth, one on either side. The other thing you could try is wrapping bitting tape, or chamois leather strip, around the edges of the bit to help stop it digging in. Maybe if you sit really still in the saddle he will be a little less energetic, literally sit motionless, don't move hands, legs or anything, don't take up the reins if you can help it. Pat his neck if he stands still. Give him a longer rein in a more confined area like an arena at first to warm up. You might find going up in size of bit may help. Is he voice trained? Does he longe? Use your voice to train him to walk. Use that voice training when riding.