Any tips on bridling this horse?

Question

I can get the bridle on just not the bit, this morning I have been working with her and she would thrash her head around but about an hour later I had her at the point where she would stay still and i had the bridle on her just without the bit and she was tolerating the bit around her mouth but not in it. Any suggestions? Teeth have been checked

Answer 1

Sandi and Jessica S are right. Also one thing they did not mention that may not even be your problem.... but i know a horse who at the age of 4 was suddenly having a lot of problems with everything. We tried everything to figure out what it could be after a few vet visits and a few chiropractor visits we called the horse dentist and she had a wolf tooth coming in. There was such a difference in her attitude after it was taken out. You can always make sure that it not a problem by getting a dentist out. I know it costs a lot but its a good idea to check.

Answer 2

Consider the fact that your horse may have had bad experiences with the bit and start from there. Whenever my trainer starts a young horse she puts the bridle with the bit on the horse and let the horse just hang out in the stall with the bridle on, sometimes she'll just groom them and other times she'll let them stand there and munch on hay. To get it into the mouth I have found that the best way is it hold the top of the bridle in front of the top of the horse's head, with the bit just below the mouth, then slip your finger in the corner of the horses mouth, and slide the bit in once the horse opens. Make sure your horse is comfortable with a bit, it may be that she just isn't sure about it and it scares her. So be patient, also have your vet check the sides of her mouth and her tongue some horses have sensitivity problems in those areas, so you never know. Good luck.

Answer 3

You don't say how old this horse is and how much training she has had. It sounds like the horse is pretty green. In any event, you need to back off a bit and slow down. I would spend a lot of time playing with her head; rubbing her all over, stick your fingers in her ears, in the side of her mouth, wherever she'll let you. Be gentle and just keep repeating this for a few sessions. Introduce her to a grain bag on her head,a plastic bag, a blanket, a lariat; whatever she will quietly tolerate.

Next step is to get her to lower her head for you. Start by applying a little downward pressure with your palm between her ears. If she drops her head even the slightest bit reward her with a rub and talk to her nicely. Keep applying pressure and releasing until she gives you her head so her ear is at your eye level. After a few sessions she'll drop her head right into your lap if you want.

Now you can introduce the bridle. Because you've had problems already, you want to do this slowly so you don't create a wreck. I'd show the bridle to her, rub it all over her head and neck for a few minutes. If she's not taking it well, stop. There's always tomorrow. Do this a few sessions.

When you and the mare feel confident, its time to put the bridle on. Put your left arm through the top of the headstall (with the front of the bridle facing you) and hang the bridle from your left elbow. With your right arm, get the mare to lower her head so you can put your right elbow between her ears. Straigthen your left arm and let the top of the bridle slide down to your hand. Introduce the top of the head stall to your right hand. Use your left hand to position the bit and your left thumb to open her mouth and slide it in. Be careful not to bang the mare in the teeth with the bit. Pull the head stall over her ears and le voila.

This whole process should take only a few seconds. If the mare won't open her mouth when you stick your thumb in the side just push your thumb nail gently into the roof of her mouth and she'll likely oblige you. Like people, horses don't like strange fingers in their mouths either.

I use this technique on all the stock I've started over the years. If you're not comfortable with it, practice a few times on your own and then try it on a well trained horse before you do it with your mare. The key is to do it quietly and quickly without fumbling. with your right arm you'll have total control of her head and she'll just have to stand and deliver for you.

A couple of tips:

- this is so much easier if you have a round pen
- buy every tape John Lyons ever made
- cancel everything else and get a subscription to "Perfect Horse"

Answer 4

This horse obviously has some problems far beyond the bit. If it took you that long just to get the bridle on with out the bit, and she was swinging her head then you need to stop the bridling and back up. First you need to earn this horses trust. Get in a round pen with her and just spend some time, hang out, run around. You need to show this horse that you're not going to hurt her. Once you two have a bond then you can go back to bridling. Take her back in the round pen with a haler and lead on this time and bring the bridle. Present the horse the bridle, with the bit. Let her sniff it, nibble it a little if she wants, just show her its not going to hurt her. Given the info you've provided it might take a bit for her to get used to having the bridle near her. Once she'll let the bridle near her start to rub it on her shoulder, then her neck, and finally her face. Letting her get comfortable with the bridle being rubbed on each part before you move up closer to the head. Once you've gotten to where you can rub the bridle all over her face and she is completely relaxed you can practice putting the bridle on with out the bit. Let her get used to having the motion of the bridle going on.When she is good about the bridle going on work with the bit. don't use the bit with the bridle, simply have a halter with lead on and practice her taking the bit into her mouth. Don't force it into her mouth, she needs to know that this isn't somthing scarey that youre doing, that the bit isn't going to hurt her. Try coating the bit with some molasses or syrup to make it more appealing. Once she's used to having the bit go in her mouth attach the bit to the bridle and take off the reins. Put the bit and bridle on her, fit it properly, and let her wonder around the round pen at will. Give her time alone with the bit and bridle on to get used to it. Praise her, and tell her how good she is. This should do the trick. Make sure to keep sessions to a max of 30 minutes a day, this is going to take a few days for her to do, and what ever you do don't get frustrated and angry. You need to keep ad clear head with a calm and confident attitude. Your horse will pick up on this and then she too will be more relaxed and confident in what ya'll are doing. The important thing to remember in horse training is to take your time and make sure you do things right, not rushed. Good luck with the bridling!

To Sandy:
Your advice was the worst given to this person so far. If this horse has a fear issue then beating it is even worse. Do the horse world a favor and GET OUT OF HERE!!!!!! We need alot less stupid advice like what you gave. I have seen people like you destroy beautiful, wonderful, perfectly mannered horses because they thought that muscling them around would work. Stop giving advice and start getting some help!

To coconuts:
Good advice, it goes right along with what I'm saying here, keep up the good advice work!

Answer 5

prepare him to diminish his head once you contact his poll. try this each and each and every time you're round him so that's going to develop right into a right away reaction. keep his head low and rub his face, over his ears, placed your palms in his mouth. at the same time as he's accepting all this nicely (do it for various days) then ask him to diminish his head and placed the bridle on at the same time as he has his head down low. you're doing something incorrect interior the bridling procedure, so that you would opt for to get someone experienced to help with this some time and verify to work out that you're doing it correct. he's doing this because someone had a strive against with him putting the bridle on and/or they pulled on the bit at the same time as putting it on or taking it off and it damage his gums.

Answer 6

A bit is not necessary to ride. If your horse isn't into it, don't do it. Not because it is hurtful or cruel, but rude and insensitive. If you want this horse to have a connection with you, don't force a metal bar into it's mouth unless she gives you permission.

Try getting a hackamore. Those are very helpful. Chances are your horse won't need a bit. Bits are for advanced communication, not control.

If you still want a bit in her mouth, try this. Adjust the bridle so that the bit would be almost hanging in her mouth. There should be no wrinkles on the sides of her mouth. It should rest just as or right below the sides, but not pushing up against. It may seem loose, but trust me, it's the most comfy way for the horse. Second, make sure the bit is warm before you try putting it on. If it's cold it will make the experience worse. To warm it, hold it in your hands for awhile. Thirdly, dribble a little molassas on it. See how it goes. Don't force her head into it. That will make the next time worse. Just see if doing all this will help her. Be polite and don't get upset. This is hard, but don't let yourself get pushy or frustrated. Horse are patience taxing, aren't they? :-)

If you still can't convince her to accept it, don't force it. What's more important, having a happy horse or having a bit? As for shows, personally, my horse's comfort and trust in me is much more important than a ribbon and some recognition.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Hold her by the jaw while she still has her head harness on, and have someone else holding the lead rope so that she doesn't swing her head. If you stick your fingers in the back of her jaw, they should open, enabling you to slide the bit in. But that's only if you don't mind getting a little horse spit on ya. ;-)

Answer 8

As you approach the animal you have to truly believe in your self that you would detrsoy that animal with one swat of your hand.
All animals sence fear and doubt, it is there nature, have no fear and have no doubts, and the horse will believe that you are serious.

Answer 9

If it is that hard maybe you should try using a Hackamore instead !