Horse refusing to drop bit

[Rigel13]

A horse I ride has started refusing the drop the bit when you remove her bridle. She has taken to flinging her head up, getting the bridle stuck half way off and is generally giving herself a bit of a fright. Obviously after it had happened once she is being much worse, and is now almost rearing when the bridle is removed.

I've been riding her for over a year and this has only happened in the last month or so. She has had her teeth checked recently.

Any ideas on solving the problem?

 

[Donkey66]

Put your hand round her head, like you would for putting the bridle on, before you take it off and have a polo or similar to distract her. Just use your hand on her nose to stop her head going too high and slip the bit out as quickly as possible.

 

[Abacus]

I assume she is reacting to you preparing to take the bridle off? - i.e. undoing the straps, bringing the reins forward, reaching for the headpiece to pull it off. If so then try not doing these things first, but instead quietly undo the bit from the cheekpiece on one side and slip it out of her mouth first. Then once it's no longer in her mouth you can take off the bridle, even piece by piece if necessary. At least once the bit is out she can't hurt herself with it again, and should soon learn that having the bridle taken off is ok.

Make sure the leather is clean and supple first, as it isn't always easy to take the bridle apart on the horse... supple leather will help.

 

[kerrieberry2]

try un doing the cheek piece and take the bit out before you go to take the bridle off over her head!

I would however get someone else out to check her teeth!!