Bridling young horse

[Caracorn]

Hi,
Recently purchased an unbroken 4 year old mare and beginning to back her. Attempted to bridle her for the first time, warmed up in my hands and smeared it in molasses and put it in front of treats to encourage. However she is adamant she is not taking it and getting progressively more fidgety so didn’t want to push any further. Any tips/tricks to bit a more difficult young horse?

She’s very clever and can sometimes stroppy, was thinking perhaps someone has tried to bit/back her before unsuccessfully?
Thanks in advance

 

[ycbm]

I would undo the bit on one side and have it set to sit a little low in the mouth. Then put the bridle on, then entice her to open her mouth with something tasty (I hear that bread wrapped round it can be good) and slip the bit in and adjust to the right height.
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[SpotsandBays]

My youngster went abit bit sour after he had an injury in his mouth that required flushing with a syringe. He was funny in the sense that he didn’t move his feet, just pursed his lips tight and lifted his head up as high as he could (16.3 so not helpful ), but once he opened for the bit he would instantly drop his head and let me pop the bridle on all fine.
I spent some time clicker training him to drop his head when I put my hand over his poll. Then also used the clicker when getting the bit in (it’s abit of a faff holding it so much easier if there’s more than one of you! But I managed) and once he learned a reward was involved he was much more receptive. Then I dropped the clicker and just would reward once he took the bit. It did take a couple of weeks of giraffing but he got there. Occasionally tries is every now and then but gives in pretty easy and i don’t treat him for it anymore

 

[Horseysheepy]

I tend to get a headpiece (no noseband) and pop a straight bar happy mouth on the off side cheek only.
Smear a little molasses on the bit and then hold the unfastened ring of bit in left hand and swing under mouth, once in mouth I hold a mini horslyx as a reward and then let horse drop the bit out and take lick away.

Horse will then seek to take the bit, and you can fasten it up in the near side and offer the lick again or not.

I spend time getting horse used to mouth being touched, thumb in corners etc first.

 

[Esmae]

I have always started out with the bit only done up on the offside. Pop the headpiece over his ears and slide the bit in and do it up on nearside. I always wrap the bit with a wet chamois leather smothered in treacle or similar. It stops it rattling teeth and makes them chomp on it to enjoy the sweetness. Few days of that and you can start off with the bit done up on both sides and he should take it with little problem.

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Take the nose band off Teach her to put her head down low with a little pressure between her ears and give her a treat there mouths open naturally if she moves away go with her don’t let her thing moving up or back gets rid of bridle lower it gently over her face once she’s realised that low head equals treat x

 

[Blanche]

I would break it down into two parts. Use bit straps ( or baler twine) to attach the off side to a head-collar and then work slowly, very slowly to get the bit in and out. Always have the weight of the bit in your hand, less chance of clanking the teeth. There is a lot more I could add to this bit but I always find it easier to show someone how I do things rather than ramble on. I would practice putting on the bridle( without the bit) as you would a normal bridle so that doesn’t become a problem. Put the two together when you have the bit thing cracked. And just take your time, it’s not a race.