My Horse and her Bit

[Vickyt137]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone could help with some tips and tricks. I am a new horse owner, I have had her and been backing her for 2 months she is doing amazing. The only thing is it is so hard to get her bridle on and her bit in her mouth. I am worried she's scared of it or doesn't like it. It is all new to her, but she has had it in many times now. She is tied up when putting her bridal on, but every time I go to out it in she backs away as far as she can, and moves her head around not allowing me to get it in. I don't want her to be scared of it, and associate it as something bad.
Anyone had any experience with this, she does not stand still, it may come with experience and as she rides out more, but any tricks be helpful to make her not afraid of it

Thank you

Vicky

 

[Dasher66]

bit butter might help

https://decidedlyequestrian.com/2018/07/27/diy-make-your-own-bit-butter/

 

[Vickyt137]

bit butter might help

https://decidedlyequestrian.com/2018/07/27/diy-make-your-own-bit-butter/

I have been using honey on the bit, but she still doesnt want to take it, once its in its fine, its just getting it in.

 

[Cortez]

You need to get someone experienced to show you how to do it. I wouldn't expect a horse to "like" the bit - it's a lump of metal after all, but they need to allow you to bridle them politely. There are no "tricks" in horsemanship.

 

[Vickyt137]

You need to get someone experienced to show you how to do it. I wouldn't expect a horse to "like" the bit - it's a lump of metal after all, but they need to allow you to bridle them politely. There are no "tricks" in horsemanship.

Hello,

I am experienced, she just very hard to bridle up, not sure best way to approach it tbh, as dont want her to be scared of it either.

 

[Cortez]

Hello,

I am experienced, she just very hard to bridle up, not sure best way to approach it tbh, as dont want her to be scared of it either.

Surely if you were experienced you would be able to bridle the horse, not unsure about it? Find someone even more experienced than you are, and get them to show you how to do it.

 

[Shay]

Cortez is sometimes blunt but she is also right. There is a knack to teaching a horse to bridle politely and its all but impossioble to explain in text. Its all about reading the horse in front of you and getting the timing right. Also about standing in the right place (are you coming from in front of her? Its soulds like you might be?) being confident, unfussed, directive but not harsh. If its not a fuss to you then it won't be a fuss to them etc. Genuinely the easiest thing to do is have someone experienced in backing to come and help. Don't persist if it is going in the wrong way becuase you can ruin her for life.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I would look at getting a horsemanship style instructor out. There was a parelli lady at my old yard and her horses would essentially bridle themselves. I've somehow accidentally taught my mare to lower her head when I want to put the bridle on but I couldn't tell you how I've done it!

Until you can get someone experienced I would keep associating the bridle with good things. Could you take the bit out and just practice putting the bridle on? Maybe pop a treat in your other hand so she can eat that whilst you put the bridle on over her head?

I personally don't like to use too many treats as my greedy mare becomes bolshy around food but if yours doesn't that might be an idea. I use pressure and release with my mare which suits her better, but this does take a good sense of timing and I had lots of supervision from said parelli lady when I was using it to get my mare over her clipping fear.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Matt from Horse Help UK helps with this and there's some videos on his Facebook page. I'd agree with above, get someone out to help overcome it. In the meantime, take the bridle right back to the minimum; headpiece, cheekpieces and bit. Spend time just putting that on slowly with a reward (scratch, break) and taking it off. No tacking up, just practicing.

 

[Sail_away]

What bit/bridle is she in? Might be worth getting a bit fit consultant or similar to have a look at her mouth conformation. How is she when ridden? Is it just the bridle she dislikes or is she reluctant under saddle too?

 

[Vickyt137]

Cortez is sometimes blunt but she is also right. There is a knack to teaching a horse to bridle politely and its all but impossioble to explain in text. Its all about reading the horse in front of you and getting the timing right. Also about standing in the right place (are you coming from in front of her? Its soulds like you might be?) being confident, unfussed, directive but not harsh. If its not a fuss to you then it won't be a fuss to them etc. Genuinely the easiest thing to do is have someone experienced in backing to come and help. Don't persist if it is going in the wrong way becuase you can ruin her for life.

Hello,
Yes I have my friend who backs horses, and she has same problem, but she mentioned its her just trying to be awkward nothing else.
I dont want her to get scared of it, so dont want to keep persisting.
I come around her from the back, use me left to hold the bridle and right to hold the bit with my thmub between her gums to open her mouth, she just throws her head up before I can even attempt to get it in, she is attached, but gets as far away as she possible can and hold her head up high. Once its in she is fine.

 

[Vickyt137]

I would look at getting a horsemanship style instructor out. There was a parelli lady at my old yard and her horses would essentially bridle themselves. I've somehow accidentally taught my mare to lower her head when I want to put the bridle on but I couldn't tell you how I've done it!

Until you can get someone experienced I would keep associating the bridle with good things. Could you take the bit out and just practice putting the bridle on? Maybe pop a treat in your other hand so she can eat that whilst you put the bridle on over her head?

I personally don't like to use too many treats as my greedy mare becomes bolshy around food but if yours doesn't that might be an idea. I use pressure and release with my mare which suits her better, but this does take a good sense of timing and I had lots of supervision from said parelli lady when I was using it to get my mare over her clipping fear.

Yeh I put honey on it to associate it with a treat as this was recommeneded. Shes fine with a bridle being put on and head collars no problem, its just the bit, its a loose ring snaffle and its thin and not harsh as I dont like bits as it is tbh, so wanted to get her a comfy as possible one.

 

[Vickyt137]

What bit/bridle is she in? Might be worth getting a bit fit consultant or similar to have a look at her mouth conformation. How is she when ridden? Is it just the bridle she dislikes or is she reluctant under saddle too?

She has a loose ring snaffle. Being ridden is no problem, so laid back, fine when im on her, bit nappy but expected with youngster. She is good and does as I say, its just the bit.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Yeh I put honey on it to associate it with a treat as this was recommeneded. Shes fine with a bridle being put on and head collars no problem, its just the bit, its a loose ring snaffle and its thin and not harsh as I dont like bits as it is tbh, so wanted to get her a comfy as possible one.

If it's just the bit then I would get a bit fitter about and/or EDT/Vet to check teeth.

It might be that the bit is not suited to her confirmation and she finds it uncomfortable/painful. I thought I was being kinder by using a lozenge rather than a single joint but my EDT and bit fitter showed me how the single joint actually sits more comfortably in her mouth as she has a very fleshy tongue and low palate so the lozenge was too big and actually more uncomfortable for her.

 

[ycbm]

Hold the cheek pieces half way up bunched in your right hand. Stand by her left shoulder facing forwards. Put your right hand under her neck and around onto the front of her face. Pick up the bit with your left hand. Hold her face with your right hand until her head is still, put the bit to her lips with your left hand and stick your left thumb into the gap in her teeth. When she finally opens her mouth (she will) slip the bit in and hold it up in her mouth with your right hand still on the cheek pieces and close to her face. When she is quiet use your left hand to slip the head piece over her left ear and then your right hand for the right ear. Job done.

 

[misst]

How old is she and when did she last have her teeth checked?