Horse learnt annoying trick...

shadowboy

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Little Orange one has learnt to put her head high enough so I cant reach her head when bitting. Now I dont know how to get her to lower it so I can get it in! Any ideas? This is something new that shes never done before.... Once in she accepts it quickly and mouths nicely and works softly and lowers her head for me to take it out... just takes me 5min to put it in!
 
Ryan used to do that, he knows I am a lot shorter than him!!!!! Used to stand on near side put reins over poll and pull down (like a pressure halter!) to bring head down and put right arm around head and hold on forehead firmly to stop head going back up until he submitted, then could be nice and gentle and take my time getting bit in. He did learn to turn his head sideways to be evasive but just bought my right hand slightly lower just below eyes so could grip top of nose if needed to, to hold head still. It has taken a lot of patience and doing this by routine as think he was bridled badly as a youngster but a couple of years on he is still fussy but now only 2% of the battle
 
one of mine used refuse to have a bit in so i used to put a bit of mint toothpaste on it an he has never refused it since. only had to do it for about a week and that was 8 and 1/2 years ago now an hes been fine ever since!
 
You could try holding a piece of carrot or apple against the bit to persuade her. I had to resort to this with my horse and now he practically puts the bit in himself.
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Tempt her head down with a treat (Bodes goes mad for the herbal treats) and then whip the bit in before he has noticed. If she is anything like Bodes he will be so busy looking for the treat he won’t even think about sticking his head up.
 
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