Pony being naughty having bit in

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vanessa97

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My daughter's new pony has been very evasive having his bit in when being tacked up. We have had the dentist,( although his teeth were long before), we know they are alright now. Since then he has still been very wary of having his bit in. I haven't put my thumb in, but held the bit by his teeth and eventually he has accpeted it. But today he totally refused to have his bit in and it was only with help that he eventually got tacked up. I know ponies often 'try it on' with new owners, but I need help-please!
 
I would get another dentist or vet to check his mouth again. You say he's got worse since the dentist, this screams something isn't right. If you trust your dentist then get them out again as it's possible rasping has made something sensitive.
 
Ella19 said:
I would get another dentist or vet to check his mouth again. You say he's got worse since the dentist, this screams something isn't right. If you trust your dentist then get them out again as it's possible rasping has made something sensitive.
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He hasn't got worse since the dentist (that was a fortnight ago!) if anything, he has been better! He has allowed me to put his bit in until today, albeit tentatively.
(As I said, before we bought him his teeth had been allowed to grow really long, so it possible he had experienced some discomfort in the past.)
My thought are that he is a wily pony and since he had his first long hack yesterday, he just doesn't feel like working today! I think he is trying it on!
(He is quite happy, once tacked up, to be ridden!)
 
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Oh, as long as you are sure there is nothing physical, get yourself some squeezy golden syrup and get in a mess. Just make it taste nice and he'll soon start grabbing it when it appears. Phase the syrup out, but just put it on every now and then as a treat and to tell him what a sweet pony he is. Don't try to rationalise his current behaviour too much, he's just a pony being a pony. :-)
p.s. If you're in Kent/E Sussex I'll happily come over and help you with this if you pay my petrol.
 
Tinypony said:
Oh, as long as you are sure there is nothing physical, get yourself some squeezy golden syrup and get in a mess. Just make it taste nice and he'll soon start grabbing it when it appears. Phase the syrup out, but just put it on every now and then as a treat and to tell him what a sweet pony he is. Don't try to rationalise his current behaviour too much, he's just a pony being a pony. :-)
p.s. If you're in Kent/E Sussex I'll happily come over and help you with this if you pay my petrol.
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Ok, wil ltry the syrup thing tomorrow!
THanks,I would love you to come and help-but I live in North Wales! lol
(thanks for all the replies)
 
Could be left over experience from dentist did he hit her teeth with gag??

Try using a soft rubber bit for a while which is kind and gentle . MY section A does this had a battle at the beginning still do a little she sticks her head right up ( so small don't mater) then she clamps her mouth shut you can put your thumb in it doesn't matter the only thing that works is putting more that 2 fingers in . while doing this i have my right arm on her poll holding bridle to keep head down. Try putting something nice on the bit like a little molasses, what bit do u use I have a 4 inch rubber snaffle .
 
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Is it a metal bit, you could try a Happy Mouth, which is nylon and apple flavoured.
An older horse will have longer teeth than a young horse, but in all horses the teeth edges tend to get sharp, and even can cut the inside of the cheeks. Check his gums, daily, for inflammation [red not pink], if there is an ongoing problem you will need to ask your vet to have a look.
 
Wales - that would be a bit of a trip! :-))

Seriously though, if you are prepared to take a bit of a step back for a couple of days, maybe take the bridle apart and work with just the bit, then add the bridle after, I'd be very surprised if you can't sort this with a bit of sweet, sticky stuff. I'll be keeping an eye open to see how you get on.
 
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