Bitting Problem with my friends horse?

Question

My friend has just got a 11 year old hunter mare (month ago) that have done most things, is good to ride and do etc. But a week ago we started to have problems getting her to accept the bit, she is in a happy mouth snaffle. Her last owners had her in a straight bar, but with no brakes! We changed the bit after she bolted with me in the outdoor school and tried jump out, throwing me off in the process! She was fine to bit the frist few times but now she tries to rear and throws her head up. She has been full vetted with teeth and back checked, when we do get the bit in she works really well and seem happy in the mouth. Is she just being naughty or does any one have any ideas. I have had my vet check her over again but cant find a problem.

She was up for sale because the rider has a medical condition and can not care for the horse. my friend and I are very patient and will always be calm with, we will carry on for as long as we have to and will not give up or sell her because of it. I just wanted to ask for advice on how to help the horse over come her fear, or ask if people think she is just being naughty.
Thank you

Answer 1

She could be scared or could just be trying it on with you. It doesnt take much to cause pain in a horses mouth.

But before blaming the bit first you've got to consider your hands, alot of problems with riding are put down to the wrong bit when its the riders hands that are the issue. You've got to remember the bit is not the most important piece of equipment, your hands are. you have to be gentle but firm, keep contact but dont put unnessesary pressure on the mouth.The horse will only try to fight with you, if there is too much pressure the horse will speed up in an effort to run away from it resulting in even more pressure as the rider then gets tense in an attempt to stop the horse and this just goes on in a circle.

Changing bits wont resolve a training problem only training will, in most cases going to a stronger bit will cause more problems as the horse will feel even more anxiety.

To resolve bitting problems, two things have to happen. the horse must be taught how she is supposed to respond to pressure. give to pressure and when you give you will find a release. She must learn to give both laterally (to the side) and vertically (dropping his nose down and in). When you put light pressure on the reins, the horse must be taught that as soon as she gives, the pressure goes away. For most people, when the horse gives, they are unaware of it or are being greedy and they continue to pull, so the horse loses his incentive to give. Secondly, the horse must be given an escape from the pressure. The release must come very quickly after the desired response of the horse, never hold continuous pressure on the reins.

I have a mare who gets very strong when there is too much contact but if you give her a little bit of rein she works nicely and responds much better.

Im not saying this is the problem just something to consider. You need to be patient, if this horse is scared then it will take time to get her trust. If i was you i would keep her on a mild bit and try to work in a school on a loose rein to gain her trust then start to get the contact back slowly. if you are patient and willing to put the work in you should be able to sort the problem out.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hello - I haven't had a horse with this exact problem, but I have had several horses over the years that have had various different problems. One of the best things that I have done, that has helped me was going to see a Monty Roberts demo and a Richard Maxwell Demo. These guys aren't a load of rubbish - there is method in their madness! Kelly Marks (who trained with Monty Roberts) also has books out, which are very helpful. I do think with their methods you need to pick and choose the bits that can help you.

Particularly at the Richard Maxwell demo he had a cob that was difficult to bit - this cob would just stand their and not open his mouth though - same idea behind it just the cob had more passive responses!

What Richard Maxwell did was to get the horse to make taking something into its mouth a game. So he used the end of a whip and poked it gently into the horses mouth, and then let the horse drop it as soon as it was ready. Within a few minutes this cob was taking the whip into his mouth out of choice, and then holding it there. He then progressed with to doing this with the bit - but just with the bit in his hands - not on the bridle to start with, until the horse was doing the same with this. He basically said to do the thing with the whip about 50 times a day for 4 or 5 days, and then do it using the bit on its own the same amount - until the horse is soo happy to do it for you.

Richard Maxwell has a website - and you can e-mail him, and he will e-mail back with more tips - I hope that this will help you. I realise I haven't gone into great details about the explanation of this - but if you want any more details - then just e-mail me!

Answer 3

She definitely could be scared of the bit as mentioned earlier or has pulled these tricks before and been successful at intimidating her previous owner. Ground work would be my first suggestion and a lot of work at the walk and trot with the emphasis on giving to the bit and flexation. Have you tried her in a hackamore or side pull? There are also combination bits available that have a snaffle bit combined with a hackamore type nose band (I have one made by Myler). This type bit was used successfully to rehabilitate a mare that had been ripped on too much by a young rider and was scared of the bit. When the rein is lifted the nose piece comes in contact before the bit does, this lessens the use of the bit and is much softer for the horse. You could also try working her in the bit with it tied loosely back to see how she reacts. Here is the address for an example of the bit I was talking about:
http://www.toklat.com/myler/mbits_combo.html
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The mare is eleven and had teeth checked, I think that if the mare has been used to a straight bit it will find the joint and the pressure of the joint very different, if she were my mare i would be looking at keeping a straight bit and gently introducing a leather covered curb chain, it would be best if you can get her confidence back and may work from the lunge in an enclosed area for everyones safety, don't forget you have taken a tumble yourself, so you both need to get back to a place where you trust and have confidence in each other. Don't push for too much too soon, be happy to calmly put on her bridle, and remove it with much praise a couple of mins later.
GOOD LUCK !!

Answer 5

I'm not familiar with English bits, but a horse is a horse. Try a snaffle with a longer shank, a gag/hackamore and a tie-down.
Also, try smearing some honey on the bit when you bridle her. Finding a way to make it pleasant might help.
No offense, because I don't know how experienced you guys are, but are you bridling her correctly? So often I see people stand in front of the horse and try to shove the bit in. If you are being careful when bridling and nothng on your bridle is sticking or hurting her, thenpossibly she is just being a brat. What does your trainer/instructor have to say about her behavior? It is easier to diagnose when you see it than when you try to imagine it from a written description.

Answer 6

She isnt being naught shes been dangerous!!! Has these problems only started with the new bit? If so I would relate her behaviour to the bit. Are you certain that this bit fits her ok and that its not pinching - or pulling bits of whisker when you're tacking up? It might help to get one of your local saddlers up to measure her up - if on this the bit is deemed to be ok you have to make the acceptance of the bit more pleasurable for her - try placing a sugar cube or a treat in the flat of your hand behind the bit bar - that way, she will realise that taking the bit is a pleasurable experience and hopefully stop being a silly girl! xx

Answer 7

positioned the bit gently interior the horses mouth and you will desire to while interior the the main suitable option place have a pair of thumb nuckle better on the two factors. What i think of your horse is doing is taking off his mouth to stand up to the bit or face up to turning and the coolest deal is sliding with the aid of. A dropped nostril band, a grackle, a flash nostril band are all used to maintain the jaw from taking off and crossing. additionally attempt a cheek pricker that's a leather-based or rubber disk that is going on the bit and has brush hairs on the interior closest to the cheek to motivate better turning.

Answer 8

Some bits hurt the horses mouth. Especially if they have those little tiny wolf teeth still. You might try a different style of bit.

Answer 9

This is not being naughty! The mare is scared and maybe that is the reason she was for sell. Someone had abused her with the bit. Please be clam and love will win her over.