Getting a youngster used to a bit ...

[Nakita]

Hi everyone!

Well a few months ago I started putting a headstall on Emma with a straight rubber apple scented bit, I stood with her & as soon as she relaxed with it on I took it off.
She never seemed worried by the bit, she did start putting her head up not wanting it in but I thought that was normal as she would obviously rather not have it in her mouth!
Then she started acting funny about getting the headcollar on so I stopped with the bit and everything went back to normal ...
I have been taking her up to the school every 3rd day leading her about, asking her to stand, turn, trot, walk on etc but she is extremely stubborn and gets very strong and wound up at times, she never pulls away but does push against me and get bargy!
So I feel I really have to get her used to the bit as soon as possible so I have more control with her especially since I'd like to start taking her walks.
A girl at the yard said rather than pulling the headstall over her ears, to buckle it at the side but I'm soo clumsy, I can't do it this way at all! She ends up with the bit on her cheek and leather in her mouth! Lol.

So anyway to the point! I was wondering will it do her any harm for me to put the headstall on the same way you would a bridle and just over her ears?
Also, how often should I be putting the bit in? I was just going to do every 3rd day?
And am I best having her tied up and supervising or leading her upto the school with it on doing our in hand work and then taking it off?

Sorry if any of my questions are silly, just really want to start off on the right foot with her!
Ps. she just turned one this summer!

Thanks

 

[Daisy11]

firstly to get mine use to a bit i would introduce the headpeice over the ears with cheek peices hanging ,after that i would attach one side of the bit to one of the cheek peices then bring it across open her mouth like you would do normaly then slide the bit in carefully , trying not to bang on the teeth as this can severly put a horse off having a bit in its mouth , i would gently do some work but i would keep headcollar underneath bridle so i still have something to attach to instead of attaching to bit because if that horse pulls back this can hurt the horse and cause more problems , if there is nothing to get caught up on, let her wonder in the sand school with it on , but please do not tie her up by it ,again she could pull back and serious hurt her mouth but also panic her which you dont want , do this 2-3 days aweek till she gets use to it , when it comes to taking off do the same as putting on if she doesnt open her mouth slide you thumb in for her to open then slide out and again try not to bang anything , try and make it a pleasent experience for her she soon learn and you will beable to put on a bridle in the normal way

 

[CrazyMare]

How old is she? Oops just seen shes a yearling - I didn't bother to bit mine as a yearling.

My 2 year old is now bitted, but wears her bit & bridle for a day or two coming up to a show, and then we leave it off for a few weeks. At that age they have a short attention span.

Leather headcollars go on by going up and over the ears - mine has no reaction to this.

It seems like you are wanting to do alot with her, just let her chill about life a bit.

As for introducing the bit, I always put a simple bridle & bit on (no noseband/reins) using a bit of honey on the mouthpeice then leave them to eat their tea/hay for 5-10mins every night for a week, then leave them alone again.

 

[Nakita]

Thanks for your replies

CrazyMare - It's not that I'm wanting to do alot with her, all I do with her is a 5-10 min lesson every now and then leading, asking her to walk on, stand etc as she is very strong and highly strung and the only reason I even do this is because I'm planning to show her inhand & I want her to have manners in the ring, I wanted to leave bitting her but she is just too strong to show in a halter so I want to get her happy with the bit