A Different Side of Winston

This morning dawned clear and dry after our rain non-event yesterday afternoon and last night.  We only got a few light sprinkles of rain; barely enough to record.  We are far below normal amounts and there is particular concern about the snow pack in the Sierra Nevada mountains.  It isn't as deep as it should be and the snow is very dry.  Most of our water comes from that snow pack so it isn't a good situation.

We went down to the barn early so Winston could finish his breakfast before the equine dentist arrived.  Brett had groomed the arena in advance of the rain.  He takes great pride in his arena grooming, leaving artistic marks with the harrow when he finishes. 

He completed the new fencing around the horse pond.  The horses and donkeys shouldn't be able to destroy this:

Back at the barn, the rabbits were anxiously waiting for their breakfast. 

...the horses were waiting too.  We bring them in to eat their buckets of vitamins and carrots and then turn them back out for their hay.  We try to have the horses outside 24/7 whenever possible.  In the summer, we bring them in during the heat of the day and in the winter during rain or windy weather. 

The equine vet pulled up right at 8:00 and I pulled Winston from the pasture.  The vet tech was setting up the equipment and Winston was not happy.  I led Winston over to the open area near the arena so he could watch from a distance.  He was very looky and when the vet came over to do a brief physical, he started hopping all over the place.  The vet who did the prepurchase exam told me that Winston was pretty wild at first - kicking out even- but had settled down by the end.  Everytime this vet put his stethoscope on Winston, Winston jumped and scooted.  He even managed to bonk me in the face once.  Giving him the sedation shot was also difficult.  Our equine dentist is a very kind and calm vet so this caught me by surprise.  Flash and Jackson are pretty ho-hum about vets.  Dr. Kelly said he sees this behavior in horses who have had a bad experience with a vet -- who knows.  Hopefully, he will get over it with time and experience.  He certainly isn't a spooky, wild, hot-head normally.

Winston's mouth was full of points on his teeth and ulcers on his cheeks and tongue (from the points).  Otherwise, his mouth was in good shape.  He has some fairly significant TMJ but that should resolve now that his mouth will be more comfortable.

The only other thing that Dr. Kelly suggested was using a bit that gives Winston's tongue clearance.  He pushed against Dr. Kelly with his tongue the entire time and so needs a bit that doesn't restrict his tongue.  My current bit is a double jointed snaffle and that would wrap and lay heavy on his tongue.  He thinks Winston would be more comfortable in a solid bit with a high port.  I put the Happy Mouth bit that came with him-- and which is solid -- on my bridle.  Hopefully, he will be happier with the contact.

Not a good configuration for Winston's mouth

I looked through my Dover catalog and didn't see any snaffle bits that are solid.  ...I think by definition they have a joint?  I am so uneducated about bits.  It looks like I'll be making a visit to the tack store soon.  Can I use the Happy Mouth bit for USDF competition?  Have any of you had a horse with a busy/sensitive tongue that can share their solution?