Bitting a yearling

ellkez

ellkez

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Hello all,

I have started taking my yearling out for walks and he can be quite strong, I currently lead him in a headcollar and was wondering if it would be too young to start leading him in a bridle? If putting him in a bridle at his age is okay, then what bit would be advisable to use?

Many thanks
 
Re visit the halter breaking training and get it absolutely in place before considering mouthing a yearling. There really is no need to mouth him, assuming he is a colt and you want to show him next season, until the spring.

They only pull on the halter when they have not been taught to respect the handler and lead properly. Pressure and release is your friend and once they learn it they will be so much nicer to handle.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Re visit the halter breaking training and get it absolutely in place before considering mouthing a yearling. There really is no need to mouth him, assuming he is a colt and you want to show him next season, until the spring.

They only pull on the halter when they have not been taught to respect the handler and lead properly. Pressure and release is your friend and once they learn it they will be so much nicer to handle.
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This, the problem with resorting to using a bit is that you will not be introducing it for the right reasons and may end up relying on it for control which is not going to be good for him long term, until you have control in a headcollar avoid going anywhere that is not safe and contained so you can use the time beneficially rather than him learning that going out for walks is fun and spending the time pulling at you.
 
be positive said:
This, the problem with resorting to using a bit is that you will not be introducing it for the right reasons and may end up relying on it for control which is not going to be good for him long term, until you have control in a headcollar avoid going anywhere that is not safe and contained so you can use the time beneficially rather than him learning that going out for walks is fun and spending the time pulling at you.
Click to expand...
^^ this in spades! Using a bit for control will only harden the mouth.
I did have a bridle on my youngster since a yearling but only as a de-sensitizing type exercise/faffing around. As a rule i do agree with leaving babies to be babies and I really could do with my baby (well shes 3 now) accepting that as i really have needed to concentrate on others but she's so ridiculously intelligent that if she isn't kept stimulated she causes no end of trouble but on the plus side she is already totally bombproof and I'm fully expecting her to be a doddle to break, so there's nothing wrong with getting them out and about if they are mentally up for it, otherwise best left out at grass with a suitable herd, don't underestimate how much they can learn from others!
 
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