Mouthing a young horse

[tes]

Hi what's peoples opinions/ways on how to mouth a young horse. My yard owner uses a breaking bit and a roller and uses side reins iv been told that's the old fashioned way and can give them a hard mouth?.

 

[DabDab]

I usually put a bit attached to a headpiece on them and then give them a bucket feed so they get used to just having it in their mouth. I'll do that two or three times and then put it on while lunging a few times, but not with anything attached to it. I might lead them around a little and do a bit of steering practice, but basically I just get on and start using the rein aids as normal.

 

[nikkimariet]

Nathe bit. Lead off a headcollar over a bridle. Once happy with leading off the bit, then I begin in hand/lunge work using an elastic bungee. Some horses do prefer side reins though.

 

[cundlegreen]

I've never used sidereins, as the sort with the rubber doughnut don't give very much, and may cause a light mouthed baby to go behind the bit. All mine are started with long reins to bit and noseband combined, and I make sure they are working well to the voice before changing just on to the bit. I lead them a lot from another horse, which teaches them balance and rhythm without a rider interfering.

 

[tristar]

lead in bridle, long rein from bridle, when confident they will slow down, halt, carry on prep, then eventually just ride away from legs and seat, into walk, down to halt, walk to trot back to walk etc.

use bit they find comfy,, usually kk sprenger training bit copper.