Bits and bridles

[Clodagh]

Two unrelated queries here!

Horse 1. My 3 year old, I have just started working him with a cavesson over his bridle. He has a thin happy mouth french link, with fulmer cheekpieces. He is being lunged off the cavesson and hasn't got any side reins or anything yet (we are only on day 2). The bit is rubbing the outside of his mouth. Why? Is it the fulmer bits, or the cavesson over the top? It is the right width for him. any suggestions as how to stop it? For the next few days I can leave the bridle off but he will need to wear both at some point.

Horse 2. My neurotic 10 year old. He has been headshaking but it is getting better as the rape goes over. His new thing is he hates having the bridle put on and off. He really throws his head up and panics. It is the headpiece he doesn't like, not the bit. He is OK once it is on and goes nicely. He has had his back and poll done recently and his teeth, nothing else has changed.

Thank you for any thoughts.

 

[be positive]

Horse 1 Try putting the cavesson on with the noseband part done up under the cheekpieces of the bridle it should stop the bit being pressed against its mouth.

Horse 2 I would check the browband is not too tight then put it on by undoing the cheek piece on one side putting the headpiece on, bit in then doing up the cheekpiece, doing the reverse when taking it off, once he gains confidence and you can do this without an argument it should be easier than struggling. I leave the headcollar on any that are difficult then once the bridle is on remove it before doing up the noseband and throatlash.

 

[Clodagh]

Thank you for your reply.

Horse 1 the cavesson is under the noseband, I thought you had to do it that way?


Horse 2 I do take it to pieces (now) to both put on and take off but he still half panics when I put the headpiece over his ears. TBH I looked today and the browband din't seem very roomy, will try a longer one. No idea why it didn't used to bother him though!