Observing & Interpreting “Mouth Open” Behavior in Ridden Horses

Written By The Train with Trust Project

“Among horses being evaluated for poor performance, we found 52% had their mouths open with separation of the teeth for 10 seconds or more, and when we removed their pain by the use of nerve blocks, the prevalence of mouth opening went down to 12%, demonstrating that this behavior is strongly associated with discomfort.” Dr. Sue Dyson

The Train with Trust Project

The Train With Trust Project (TwTP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to making equine behavior education accessible while promoting the use of evidence-based training.

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Diagnostic Nerve Blocks for Early Intervention