Nightmare to Bridle... little long

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Gentle_Warrior

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here it is....... I have owned H for 2 years and known him for about 5 years.

His teeth, back and tack are fine. But he is a nightmare to put a bridle on. As soon as you go towards him with bridle, you see his eye twinkle.

When you go to take hold of his nose, he sticks it up in the air. I am 5ft 6 and have to go tip toes to reach his head !!!Eventually with coaxing he relaxes and brings head down.

But when you put bit in mouth he lifts his head again and ducks out to the sides. Can get it over both ears, one at a time, once over one he leans in for a rub so get other one over !!!! he then shakes his bit in his mouth for about 5 mins.

I let him do this before I sort out his forelock etc. Sometimes I know he does this to get grass out etc, see it fall to the floor, nice ..... not !!

I have tried, keeping headcollar on, saddle first, bridle first, hiding bridle etc. Someone at old school use to ram a polo in his mouth as soon as the bit was in, which I don't want to do as I think it just made him worse !!!

Once it is on and he is settled he is fine. He headshakes when hacked out but this is only due to excitement and anticipation and NEVER does it in outdoor school.

What can I do to make it less of a fight ???

I am so embarrased when I have to tack him up with people around.

xxxx
 
Maybe he finds the bridle uncomfortable you never know, what about buying some of those prolite pads see if that makes it better.
 
have thought about one of them, but would it not make it tighter on his poll ?

forgot to mention, browband is plenty big enough and bit is at the right height
 
Don't worry there are a few horses who do this.

Things to try:
First, are you sure he's happy with his current bit, what material is it? Some horses hate stainless steel or any metals. Have you tried other materials, happy mouth, rubber and nathe are all warmer and bendier and generally milder, it may be the action of the bit he dislikes rather than the material, it may not suit his mouth shape or he may find it too severe, some horses dislike bits that move a lot, others much prefer them, also ensure the bit is the right length (should stick out one fingers width on each side of the mouth), and the right width for your horse, narrow bits are more severe but thick ones may not suit horses with fleshy mouths or big tongues. Also with french link bits the central lozenge can sometimes be too wide for the horses mouth and press on the gums causing discomfort.

Before putting the bridle on adjust the cheekpeices so the bit hangs lower by several holes, this stops the bit getting pulled upwards in the horses mouth as you put the headpeice over the ears, you can then tighten the cheekpeices again once the bit and bridle are on.

It may be the bit is sitting too high in the horses mouth and hurting the corners of his mouth, or sitting too low where it may bang against his tushes (the small tusk like teeth male horses have between the incisors and molars), cheek this once the bridle is on, take a contact on the reins to see how this affects bit position and adjust if nessecary.

Cheek his bridle fits correctly and that it is always clean so it doesn't rub him. Also make sure his head is groomed properly before tacking up so that he doesn't have nay bits of mud that could cause discomfort. Cheek he has no rubs at the corners of his mouth.

Use carrots, break them into bits to put in your pocket, give him a bit when you go in stable so he stays with you, put reins over his head then feed him another bit of carrot, hold a bit out so he puts head down for bridle, put bit in his mouth then feed him a bit more. If he is focused on you feeding him he's more likely to keep his head down making it easier to put headpeice over his ears, do up straps etc.

Get some tasty bit spray to put on bit (make sure he likes it first!), or use caramel. If he does have one of the problems described above then even once you have eradicated the cause he will still be difficult to bridle for awhile as he will remember the discomfort, so using treats is a good way to retrain him that having his bridle put on is a good thing.

Note: When you do give treats give them sparingly so he learns he only gets them when you decide and you always leave him wanting more, don't allow him to become bolshy over them, though if he does don't yell or react violently or bridling will become an upsetting time again! Just move away and ignore him, only rewarding with treats when he is being good.
 
Also!: Prolite pad could also help, wouldn't make it tighter at poll as would just have to let cheek peices down slightly to accomodate it.
 
Cheers painted !! comments below !!

[ QUOTE ]

Things to try:
First, are you sure he's happy with his current bit, what material is it? I have tried every, size and make of mouth piece, thin, thick, jointed, mullen, hppy, rubber, sweet iron, you name it he hate single jointed !!!

Before putting the bridle on adjust the cheekpeices so the bit hangs lower by several holes, this stops the bit getting pulled upwards in the horses mouth as you put the headpeice over the ears, you can then tighten the cheekpeices again once the bit and bridle are on. will try this - one thing I have not tried

It may be the bit is sitting too high in the horses mouth and hurting the corners of his mouth, or sitting too low where it may bang against his tushes (the small tusk like teeth male horses have between the incisors and molars), cheek this once the bridle is on, take a contact on the reins to see how this affects bit position and adjust if nessecary. tested and double tested, even YO has, all fine

Cheek his bridle fits correctly and that it is always clean so it doesn't rub him. Also make sure his head is groomed properly before tacking up so that he doesn't have nay bits of mud that could cause discomfort. Cheek he has no rubs at the corners of his mouth. always clean head thoroughly, I have a fetish !!!!!!!!, no rubs on mouth or in

Use carrots,
tried this but becomes really shovey and bolshy !!! he s not a small chap

Get some tasty bit spray to put on bit (make sure he likes it first!), or use Camel. will give that a go, what other flavours can I try, rather use, natural rather than specially made purpose stuff !!!


Note: When you do give treats give them sparingly so he learns he only gets them when you decide and you always leave him wanting more, don't allow him to become bolshy over them, though if he does don't yell or react violently or bridling will become an upsetting time again! Just move away and ignore him, only rewarding with treats when he is being good. never got angry with him, I walk off if I feel i am getting angry ! have seen others get angry with him before but i did not own him then, could 2 years ago though[, ignoring him is VERY hard to do

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If you think he is just being naughty and not in pain ect why not try puting on his saddle then fitting a standing martingale to his headcollar so when you go to put his bridle on he can't get his head up too high. This worked with a friend of mines naughty boy who objected to his bridle when it has a nose net attatched! Just a thought
smile.gif
 
Have u tried the reverse psychology approach? It sounds as tho this may be a learned behaviour as u say that all physical things have been checked. This is an approach I have used successfully on many, many horses, but it does take time so if u do try it, don't expect miracles straight away.
First of all teach your horse to bring his head down for you, without the intention of brilding (He may already be ok with this, i don't know)
Instead of bringing your right hand under the head and round on top of the nose (you say he lifts his head and ducks out to the side) try bringing his head right down, then putting your right arm on top of his neck with your hand going down between his ears to hold the bridle. This gives you more control over his head and more warning thro feel if he is going to do anyting. Obviously this may be something u have to practise 1st if he finds it un-nerving. Your left hand is then still free to open the mouth and deal wilth the bit. (NB please take care not to lean over the horses neck/head incase he brings it up sharply and smacks u in the face!) Once you have the bridle in position you can ask him to open his mouth and take the bit in the usual way.
Now for the different bit! At each stage, every time he makes a step in the right direction, stop and do the opposite of what he expects. So when he lowers his head and u have the bridle in position, don't put it on, take it away again. Then progress slowly like this thro each stage. so eg, ask him to open his mouth for the bit, then don't put it in, take it away again. When you get to having the bit in his mouth, take it straight out again. If at any stage he restists, keep quietly persisting until he does the right thing then stop straight away. If you stop when he is resisting, you will effectively teach him to do that. (obviously don't get him all het up or put yourself in danger)
By doing this consistently over a period of time it is posible to actually get the horse to take the bit from you. Effectively saying 'hey can't we stop all this messing about? Just give me the bit!!' Then u can say, 'yep, what a great idea! Clever horse!'
It is imprortant with this that you do not get impatient or frustrated in any way or rush the horse before he is ready or it WON'T work. Take as long as he needs. If however you have had this problem for such a long time, a few weeks to fix it hopefully won't be 2 bad! Feel free to PM me if u do want try this and have any q's. Good luck!!
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Thanks everyone, some bl**dy good advice !!!! I think he got so fed up at Rid Skool with it being on and off all day long, he now just wants it off all the time !!!

Even tried bitless, but felt like I had little to no control.

xx
 
Mine is a pain to tack up unless you put the nearside ear in the bridle first (with me standing on the off side). No idea why but I tried it and it worked.

You could also try putting the bridle together when it's on: i.e. only have one cheek piece done up, put the bit in, gently put the headpiece over and do the other cheek piece up.

Or you could put molasses or something on the bit.

Just try lots of different approaches and see what works. Good luck.
 
Glad to be of help, gemmah's advice is also very good although you do have to be patient as she says!

Don't really know any natural flavours to use instead of caramel; mint toothpaste works well for some horses though!
 
Don't know if you have tried this one. My friend at the farm has a horse with ear problems and the only way (and many have tried other ways)is.......... To undo the left hand side cheek pieces . Put the headpiece and browband over her ears but with no bit in so just from above and plopping it on her head. Slide the bit in from the side which is fastened, sideways and when in fasten up the cheek piece as normal. Works everytime with my friends. Good luck.
 
I've tried dipping the bit in peppermint juice (see Tesco) which worked quite well & it's very easy and not too sticky.

Also try getting cheek pieces with clips then put the headpiece over the ears first without the bit attached and then you can clip the bit on afterwards quite easily.

Good luck, I'm sure with time it will get easier.
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Frustrating problem.

I take it that he is fine to get a headcollar on so it is definitely the bit (and association with work?) that he objects to.

Perhaps you could get one of those endurance type headcollar/bridles where the bit is attached by straps and clips? Obviously not suitable for showing etc, but if you could sort the bitting aversion out first then you could work up to putting an entire bridle on.

I was going to suggest using a hackamore but I see that you have already been down that road. Also training him to lower his head, but someone has already mentioned that.

What sort of work do you do with him? Is he fed up with it? Something different might make him more keen to get out perhaps?

Heaps of useful advice already offered so I hope you find something that works, Good Luck.
 
That is the really frustrating part, he done it at the riding school, and totallt understood why he was not happy.

He now does RDA during the week, which he is enjoying and is brilliant at, seems to be what he is born for. He does 5 hours a week of nothing but walking. The have headcollars unders bridles so the bit is never used. he has 2 days off during the week.

I then hack him out at the weekend. I do not school him as he does not like it, and he totally enjoys his hacking by the excited bucks he does !! (Saddle is fine). Was hoping he would improve, but 2 years on from RS move there is little / no change.

I don't use a noseband as that always makes his ridle tighter to get on over the ears.

and his ears are fine with headcollars, grooming, stroking everything but bridle. I think he used to get walloped round the head as he does have moods where he is very 'get off my head' but it never lasts and was a LOT worse at RS.

so frustrating especially if we travel anywhere as I can never garuntee how he is going to be when bridled and dont really want to travel him in bridle, but have been thinking about it.

Thankfully we only travel about twice a year !!!!!

xx
 
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