How to get headcollar on my 3yr old!

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EmmaAndSummer

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She has always been fine to catch in the field and in her stable, but today I went into the stable as usual with the headcollar and she just kept putting her backside in my face and hiding in the corner so I couldnt get to her?
I think this is because she freaked out about having a bit in the other day and now assosiates a headcollar with a bridle and bit!
Anyone know any tricks to get her and not make her so scared to put her bridle on?
 
have you let her smell/play with her bridle before you put it on, and have it around her when your doing nice things with her like grooming her?

give her lots of fuss when shes got the bit in her mouth and build up time slowly. you could also feed her as soon as she gets the bit in - soon takes their mind off the bit (my greedy ones anyway!)

good luck
 
yeah i have been really calm and patient and have showed her the bridle and let her smell it and took my time with her but she really doesnt like it, i think shes scared of it because she isnt used to it.
i think the best thing im going to have to do is put the bridle on everyday to get her used to it until she realises it isnt scary, i think shes scared of it because she doesnt like opening her mouth to put it in or out in fact i have to stick my fingers in for ages to even get the slightlest change to put it in or out.
yeah giving her feed after its in will be a good idea i will try her tomorrow and hope for the best. thanks for advice!!
 
Could you try smearing something on the bit, maybe Marmite (if she loves it) or jam, or syrup, just for the first few times. She would soon come to accept the bit if she had something nice to taste as a result!

I really wouldn't be tempted to leave a headcollar on her in the stable, this is just asking for trouble with a youngster.
 
with mine i tend to:
smear the bit with mint toothpaste
leave an old bridle and bit hung up in the stable so they can sniff at it etc at their leisure to realise its not scarey
when putting on, i normally for a while only have the bit attached to one cheek piece, once they are ok with the bridle over their ears etc, i can then when ready slip the bit in and secure, its doable with cheeck pieces without the clips on
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If shes having a REALLY bad day once the bridle is on (if shes billy silly with a headcollar now i can imagine she will have a few bad days) you dont have to put the bit in, but she will still be getting used to the bridle.
i have a 6 year old who is a pain in the rear end, 90% of the time, shes fine with headcollars, the other 10% of the time - same, shoves her backend at you, or in the field, is uncathable, last time she was like that i tried for 5 hours, then ended up making a triangular pen by the gate in the field, luring her in with feed, closing pen so she couldnt move and she still freaked out! i walked her into her stable, took headcollar off, and straight away she then let me put it back on! my mares just a bit@h at times! Hope yours isnt going to end up the same!
 
yea i am going to try her with some sort of goodies on the bit tonight like toothpaste or something... another problem is shes scared to open her mouth to let the bit in or out! i have to tickle her for ages to even just sneak it in or out... i understand she wont open it because she doesnt like it but i dont think she understands if she opens it she can get it out. grr she better not just be messing with me and starting to get cheeky haha! lets hope she improves tonight! thanks guys!
 
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