[eponacowgirl]

I have a draftie cross mare that I've been itching to try in a happy mouth- she's a 5 3/4-6 inch mouth though, and I only have one draftie-riding friend, who has an extensive bit collection, but no happy mouths!

I thought I remembered someone saying they'd wrapped a bit in vetwrap before to soften it. I do have a nice egg-butt snaffle she goes in, but I think the joint makes her crazy (double jointed was even worse). I was going to wrap it up and see what happened- any thoughts on this?

[Amwrider]

I have never used Vetwrap, I have used Sealtex Latex bandages though.

[Whitfield Farm Hanoverians]

I second the sealtex rubber bandage. Works great.

[Evalee Hunter]

Well, I would NOT wrap a bit in vetwrap. The wrap that is used on bits is LATEX (rubber). It's called Sealtex or something like that.

Vetwrap is kind of rough & grippy. Eventers wind it around their stirrups to give them a better grip cross country & avoid losing their stirrups. I wouldn't want something rough & grippy used to wrap a bit.

The bit wrapping stuff is smooth & soft & thicker than vet wrap.

[Gucci Cowgirl]

I have a draftie cross mare that I've been itching to try in a happy mouth- she's a 5 3/4-6 inch mouth though, and I only have one draftie-riding friend, who has an extensive bit collection, but no happy mouths!

I thought I remembered someone saying they'd wrapped a bit in vetwrap before to soften it. I do have a nice egg-butt snaffle she goes in, but I think the joint makes her crazy (double jointed was even worse). I was going to wrap it up and see what happened- any thoughts on this?

that was me. My coach used to have me wrap the curb of a double bridle in vetwrap to make it softer for a sensitive horse. It isn't legal at shows, though.

try it, see if it works, you may just like how she feels, and then go and buy a happy mouth.

[eponacowgirl]

How does Sealtex work? It's 3" wide- do you use one and wrap, overlapping, from edge to edge?

[eponacowgirl]

try it, see if it works, you may just like how she feels, and then go and buy a happy mouth.

That was my plan.

So, your horse didn't object to the vetwrap?

[Tiffani B]

How does Sealtex work? It's 3" wide- do you use one and wrap, overlapping, from edge to edge?

Yes.

Cut a length about 8" long. Run very very hot water on it for a few minutes to soften it up. Pat it dry, and then stretch it a few times to get it sticky and loose. Starting on one end of the mouthpiece, with the Sealtex stretched fairly taut, begin wrapping. Overlap just less than half the width as you go down the bit.

You can put on several layers if you need it thicker.

Once done, squish the Sealtex onto itself to smooth out the ridges from the overlap.

It will retain its pliability as long as you continue to use the bit. If the bit sits for awhile (a month or more) without moisture on it, the Sealtex will harden and you should remove it and reapply.

[SquishTheBunny]

DONT use vetwrap. Have you seen what happens to wet vetwrap??? Your horse will be injesting dye and wet vetwrap will unravel after a few uses. Use the sealtex everyone is mentioning, that is SAFE to put in a horses mouth.

[BelladonnaLily]

Where do you buy Sealtex?

[Evalee Hunter]

Where do you buy Sealtex?

In this area, Bartville Harness. In other areas, maybe a track tack shop - Sealtex use is common at race tracks.

[fordtraktor]

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product...cd2=1231854019

As always, be careful if you or someone in the barn has a latex allergy.

[jcotton]

Perhaps your horse needs a mullen mouth snaffle and not a happy mouth.

As said before, Do not put vetwrap on the bit. It is designed for external use, not internal use.

Sealtex is easily found in most tackshops or online.