When riding a horse, I have a question about 'control verse teamwork' with the horse?

Question

I have a great horse who has been abused and is stubborn as all you can imagine! However.. she is very gentle and nice when she not having an attitude. She is awesome with kids. I got her from a rescue farm and she seems to have issues with 5 things, one being bits. When I first got her I could manage to get it in. But now when she even hears that metal she just freaks out. So no problem, she had issues with it before I got her so I just use a halter. She is neck reinged wonderfully. She can ride pretty good with just a halter and rope tied around her neck. So my question is... when she does freak out or decide to get an attitude or freak out over something, or even buck (she did that once).. with just a halter I don't have a hope. At least with a bit or a hackmore I could cause some kind of uncomfort that would give me the advantage of control. I hate that. I want to work WITH her and her WITH me. Is it possible to get to that point to trust her with just a halter????

Answer 1

Instead of a halter you should at least use a hackamore. You really need to get her used to the bit again. It will take a long time, but it will most likely help in the long run. When you first got her and put the bit in did you treat her like she was another horse just getting used to the bit or someone that is scared of it? That can make a difference in the way she responds to it. When training her you need to use control. You use teamwork when she knows what you want and then you give when she does. Clinton Anderson once said something that has stuck with me. There's a line you draw when training horses. It's right between strict and I love you. You can't go too far on either side of that line and right on it's the best, but if she acts up you need to step over to the strict side and let her know your still in charge. When she acts up make her feel uncomfortable, and when she does something right let her know by releasing pressure. When you two start working together as more of a team instead of horse and trainer thats when you can step across a little to the softer side. When she spooks at the sound of metal hold her there until she quits and relaxes, licks her lips; relaxes ears; rests one leg; etc., then put the bridle around her head and shake it again if she throws her head be careful and keep yourself safe, but try to keep it as close as you can and keep it gingling. When she relaxes again reward her and then start back with it just in the air next to her. Repeat these two steps until she has absolutely no problem with it gingling around her. Then try to slip it in her mouth. If she freaks out don't worry try to hold her head, but again be careful. Don't restrain it to where she feels unsafe, but enough to know that that's where she's supposed to have it and keep it until your done. If she won't open her mouth try using some tricks, rub your finger around her gum and on her tongue; warm the bit; put some flavoring on it;etc. When you do get the bit in her mouth let her just have it in there for a while. After about 30 min take it out and do it again. The problem won't go away after one time, but it will take less and less time to fix each time you do it until the problem is gone.

Answer 2

Firstly make sure your prepared. If you have everything and know your ready its easier to calm down. DON'T say "what if...?" if you start thinking about what can go wrong ts more likely to happen.. and if you go in the ring all tense you won't be able to perform to your or your horse's best abilities. Music calms me down a lot. Fun, upbeat, happy music! If you listen to something that's sad or angry/revengeful you won't be in a good mood entering the ring. I know is hard, but try not to be too competitive. It puts more pressure and takes away from the fun. Its good in little bits cuz it is a show... but don't take it past that, your not in the Olympics (yet!) Do your thing not someone else's, switching your routine will just add stress! Just because the horse before you took a turn like so, extended here or whatever doesn't mean you should/have to. It'll throw your routine out of the window and confuse you. Go in knowing exactly what you have to do and how you plan to do it! And remember your there to have fun! Sure if you screw up it'll be embarrassing, but if you keep your head up high and smiling your not defeated. No matter what, smile! You'll be surprised how much smiling can make you confidant!! It will also earn you points with the judges. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Quite honestly, it's very unsafe to ride in just a halter and a lead rope. I did that twice with my own horse. The first, he was perfectly fine. The next, he got spooked and became uncontrollable. What you need to try is a rubber bit. Either a dog-bone rubber bit, or happy mouth bits work too, and often seem more appealing because they are usually apple scented. Also, make sure that the bit you try fits correctly. If her mouth is 5 1/2 inches, don't even try to put a 5 inch bit in her mouth, which is a problem I've had in the past with my old pony. First let her sniff the bit. Let her check it out and give her the option to walk away from it. After doing this a few times, bring her back and try to put it in her mouth. If it's a completely negative reaction, leave it alone, and try it again the next day. When you try to get the (rubber)bit in her mouth, stand on the left side and hold the headstall over her nose with your right hand, while applying a little pressure to her nose to encourage her to keep her head down. Holding the bit in your left hand, and stick your left thumb or other fingers in the side of her mouth to encourage her to open her mouth. If you're sucessful, the proceed with putting the bridle on. Once it's on, and you've latched all of the buckles, take it off and let her know she's a good girl. The only way to tackle the issue of bridles/bits is by being on their terms and remember - a good way to a horses heart is through praise and food.
Good luck and I hope this works. :) It did on my pony, but then again, all horses are different.

Answer 4

Probably you can trust her with just a halter. I had a horse that was awsomely fast. As soon as I put a foot in the sturrup he was moving. A friend asked if she could ride bareback. I was a bit afraid, and warned her, but the horse was great. He led like a dog, and he got out once, and I walked about a mile to get him, and my boots were wearing holes in my ankles. I got on him bareback,and he was great. He seemed to know what needed to be done, and as long as you communicated, he was fine. I bought a pony, and asked a friend what to do next. He said pen her up, and every day take her a teaspoonful of brown sugar. after a week, turn her out and call her twice a week for a month, and ever after she came when I called. My sister had a horse broke so well that if you dropped the reins on her neck, you couldn't fall off. She would stay under you. She was great.

Answer 5

You don't get alto of control with a halter - so I would spend as long as it takes for her to accept the bit. I'd work with her daily with a snaffle bit. Use lots and lots of carrot pieces. When she learns to accept you rubbing the bit against her mouth, give her a carrot. Keep this up for days. Then proceed to asking her to open her mouth and play with the bit. Again reinforce it with a carrot. Keep this up as long as it takes for her to allow you to place the bit in her mouth.

I'd also get the vet to check her teeth and make sure that she does not have a tooth problem that is causing her pain with the bit. If she never had her wolf teeth removed, they would be the likely culprit!

You can use a hackamore, but that is something that I recommend for a finely trained horse without any behavioral issues that could hurt you.