Horse is nervous of the bit due to previously being beaten!

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Equine_Riderxox

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Hi, I have a horse who is nervous of the bit in his mouth due to being beaten before he came to me. I was just wondering if anybody had any ideas on what to do i.e with my hands when riding or any techniques you know of. Thank you xxxx
 
I would start from the floor, in a head collar. I would teach the horse to back from the halter, then when he was accomplished at doing this attentively off a light touch then from a bit. I would also teach a lateral bend first from the halter then the bit, from the floor.

Once it is all smooth and relaxed from the floor I would mount and bend sideways, at halt. Then at walk, bending to a stop. Also reversing. Only once this was all smooth and relaxed, with the rein used as a signal not pulling him into position would I move to a faster gait. Only once all that was good, so the horse understands that when the rein is picked up it is time to listen and relax, would I try to ride up into the contact.
 
Have you considered trying bitless? Might mean you can get the horse listening and comfortable being bridled then reintroduce the big when you have more trust together. I've just taken my second one bitless as although in the long term I would like her bitted she never really settled with one in despite trying multiple bits and varying degrees of contact. She settled in about 2 weeks and is working correctly for the first time ever. When the new behaviours are established we will try the bit again.
 
Another vote for bitless! I ride my ex-racer in a hackamore & he is so much more relaxed & steadier in the hand. Not sure what we're going to do if we want to start competing again...worry about it when it happens as that's the least of our problems atm.

T x
 
Personally I think it is a matter of finding the right bit. I went through loads and loads - happily there are bit banks that hire them or I would be bankrupt!!

We have finally settled on a Neue Shule verbindend bit - horse has a fat tongue and a low palate. He would run to the back of the stable when bridle arrived - fast forward lots of trials and he now opens his mouth for the bit!!

Personally I think finding our the conformation of the horses mouth is key - low palate and fat tongue - you need a thin and curved bit - for us the Verbindend was just that. Not cruel because it was thin, comfortable for him because there wasn't a lot of space, and he needed a thin curved bit. Horses do tell you if you listen IME!!
 
My Andalusian mare was a wreck when I rescued her. Beaten, headshy, emaciated, wounded, horribly nervous and skittish at the slightest movement of your hand. Also didn't like the bit and was so over reactive at the slightest contact and was big time spooky.
Went bitless one day. Off out hacking. Haven't looked back :)
 
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