What Does a Foamy Bit Mean?

Why do horses get foamy bits and mouths?

Because they can. All sarcasm aside, it’s perfectly natural for a horse to foam around the lips as he is being ridden. It’s commonly seen in dressage horses, and perhaps this is the best example to explain how the foam happens in the context of dressage. Bear with me a sec even if you are not a dressage rider.

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In dressage, the horse is considered supple (strong and flexible) and carries his weight when he can lift his back and have the energy in his hind legs travel over his lifting top line, through the neck, over the poll, and down to the mouth. His muscles are soft and strong, the horse is not braced, rigid, or stiff. In this state of suppleness, his salivary glands are stimulated to produce more saliva, typically because of the positioning of his body.

Incidentally, take out the word dressage from the paragraph above and insert reining, jumping, really any discipline – the principles are the same.

Latherin and motion make the foam!

Combine this saliva production, mouth movement, and the substance latherin (this also makes sweat foam) and you get some foamy lips.

It’s perfectly safe for a horse to have foamy lips. Foamy lips are not a sign that the horse is abused, overworked, or in pain. It’s also not a direct result of your horse wearing a bit. Horses ridden without bits can, and do, foam at the mouth.

Some riders will prime their horse’s chewing by giving a sugar cube or soft treat during tacking up. This encourages the horse to salivate, and they dissolve easily, avoiding any choking hazard.

Many of us have ridden horses with “hard mouths.” It’s not fun for anyone. A hard-mouthed horse will not foam at the mouth, and he will also be stiffer in his body and more uncomfortable to sit the jog or trot.

If I recall correctly, it’s also easier to get into a tug-of-war on a hard-mouthed horse. It’s not wrong to be hard-mouthed, but it’s something that proper training and riding can address if you like.

Migs gets a foamy mouth when he eats his hay pellets – lots of chewing and saliva.

Instances in which a foamy mouth can mean TROUBLE with a capital T:

Oral ulcers, such as the case of viral vesticular stomatitis, gum diseases, and choke can all create foamy lips.

A twig, stick, or other foreign body in your horse’s mouth can also do this.

Let’s not forget about some toxic plants and clovers that cause slobbers.

Don’t forget about rabies, a 100% fatal disease once you see signs of the disease. Also, totally preventable.

The key idea here is to call your veterinarian ASAP if your horse suddenly starts foaming at the mouth.

And don’t sweat it if he never starts to get foamy lips while being ridden, that’s not a big deal either!

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