23 May 2018 - Horse Grillz

When to Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

 "The old saying 'Never look a gift horse in the mouth' is unwise advice. If the gift horse (or pony) is to be a mount for your child, someone should look in the animal's mouth to determine its age."

The saying "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" actually refers to don't question the value of a gift or be ungrateful for a gift. Which refers to evaluating the age of a horse by looking at its teeth.

I never actually got that saying until today.

The reason you would look at a horses teeth is because (according to our almanac) few ponies under the age of 5 are suitable mounts for a child.

I really don't know anything about riding horses.

So if any of the information going forward in this post is incorrect, please don't blame me.

Younger ponies usually don't have the experience for handling and riding.

You need time to teach and train horses.

Older ponies will be wiser and experienced with riders which is what you want for your child who is learning. They might also be a little more patient with inexperienced riders.

I know what you are all wondering.

What am I looking for when looking at a horses grill to see how old they are?

The trick is to see how gnarly they get.
Because their grill is tore up from the floor up as they age.

"Hmmmm yes. I totally get it"

Just good luck on that initial opening of the mouth.

I don't know about you, but it is super awkward when some stranger wants to see my teeth.