Pony doesn't like to be bridled

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Hecken92

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Any tips for me? A pony I work does not like being bridled and throws her head in the air, crushes me against the stable door, refuses to open her mouth etc.
She is just being long reined, not ridden, and once her bridle is on, she's a totally different horse - quiet and cuddly. The owner says she's always been like this and I just wanted to know if it's going to get easier with practice and how I can encourage her not to fight it. She's been out of work for 2 years and previous to that, only long reined.
 
For me it could possibly be one of two things.

1. Her poll is sore and having a McTimoney (or similar) person out to check will help that. If it is this and nothing else, then whatever you do won't change it. If she doesn't let you rub around the poll in any instance it is probably pain related.

2. Horse needs retraining. I had one like this and it took a little bit of time and patience and a few apples. I started by giving her an apple before I put the bit in, then with the bit, then after the bit, then not at all!! You can also try putting honey on the bit.
 
I did wonder about the honey on the bit thing as it's how we trained my mums youngster and she loves her bit! I don't think it's poll pain as she loves me scratching her ears and forelock and things. And shes not bothered by her headcollar
 
I would have a dentist check the teeth first.

Mine was a bugger to bridle, head up in the air, walking off, walking in circles, shaking her head. Had the dentist out who said teeth fine. I had to use treats in the end. I put the treat in my hand and cupped the bit, when she accepted the bit she would also get the treat. It was her choice and there was no forcing it in. She is 10 times better now and I no longer have to slide it on over her headcollar (she used to do a runner!)
 
My horse had ear plaques when she was young and does not like her ears being bent. I knew this when I bought her and it is not a problem. I just undo the bit at the top of the cheekpiece as it is easier to undo there, pop the headpiece over her ears and bring the bit round into her mouth. She still gets a bit freaked out but is probably just worried about the ears (even though there's nothing wrong with them now!) And sometimes I give her a herbal biscuit or carrot or something. Just like yours she is quiet as a lamb once she's got it on, and we may work up to putting it on normally :-)
 
mandwhy said:
My horse had ear plaques when she was young and does not like her ears being bent. I knew this when I bought her and it is not a problem. I just undo the bit at the top of the cheekpiece as it is easier to undo there, pop the headpiece over her ears and bring the bit round into her mouth. She still gets a bit freaked out but is probably just worried about the ears (even though there's nothing wrong with them now!) And sometimes I give her a herbal biscuit or carrot or something. Just like yours she is quiet as a lamb once she's got it on, and we may work up to putting it on normally :-)
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snap!! this is what i have to do with mine! looks stupid and very occassionally he shakes his head just as im about to put in the bit and the whole bridle falls off, but it makes it easier for him as he find being tacked up upsetting otherwise if you pull on over his ears.
 
My 4yro is head shy but after 3 months of patience and a comfort bridle he is practically fine with me! Not with other people (I'm a little smug about this as I think he loves his mum, me)
 
Check that the browband is the correct length, if it is too short it will make the ears uncomfortable.
I have had to retrain my mare to accept the bridle because of this very issue. She brought her bridle with her when I bought her and it didn't fit. She was very difficult to bridle. Now she looks for the bit and helps me to put it in.
 
My new horse was like this i just put a treat in same hand as the bit and he now accepts it straight away honey didnt work at all just ended up very messy! Know what its like though mines 16.1hh and i didnt have a chance
 
Just an update - I spent half an hour doing the honey on the bit trick with pony and after putting bridle on, grooming, taking it off, giving her her feed, putting it back on etc she was already improving, only arguing for 30 secs before taking the bit :) So happy!
 
Well done :)

I know how tricky it is when they do this. My first pony was from a RS and was used to people whipping his bridle on and off over his eyes and clanging his bit against his teeth he hated me going any where near him with a bridle.

Once he learnt I wasn't going to do it like that he became the perfect pony to tack :) (took a couple of months before he started to get the hang of it)

Perseverance is the key, good luck! :) :)
 
mandwhy said:
My horse had ear plaques when she was young and does not like her ears being bent. I knew this when I bought her and it is not a problem. I just undo the bit at the top of the cheekpiece as it is easier to undo there, pop the headpiece over her ears and bring the bit round into her mouth. She still gets a bit freaked out but is probably just worried about the ears (even though there's nothing wrong with them now!) And sometimes I give her a herbal biscuit or carrot or something. Just like yours she is quiet as a lamb once she's got it on, and we may work up to putting it on normally :-)
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My friend does exactly this with her mare. Its fine for my friend, but if I ever ride the mare I need a stool as shes a big girl and I am a short a*se! x
 
Hecken92 said:
Just an update - I spent half an hour doing the honey on the bit trick with pony and after putting bridle on, grooming, taking it off, giving her her feed, putting it back on etc she was already improving, only arguing for 30 secs before taking the bit :) So happy!
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Do you have a sweet iron bit too with a nice lozenge. My mare took to this well.:)
 
It's amazing what a bit of honey or treacle can do for horses who don't like bits in their mouths. I was chatting to someone a while back who had taken on a horse terrified of the bit (would rear right up and went over backwards a few times) and after a few days of it being smothered in golden syrup he was opening his mouth waiting for it!
 
My horse was a pain to bridle, still can be tricky but much better now! Its because he hates his left ear being touched (probably because someone caught it years ago when putting a bridle on him).
To get it on without fuss I un-did the cheekpiece, then placed the browband/headpiece over his ears so his ears were barely touched, grabbed the dangling bit, put it in his mouth, did up the cheekpiece and voila! Now I can put it on the normal way but was a magic method when he hated being bridled.. Worth a try! :)
 
My girl, who has a history of abuse, was extremely headshy when she first came to me. She was an absolute a**e to bridle till I figured out the problem was having the reins over her head, so I took the reins off, which helped, then after a few days I started off by gently passing them over her head, eventually chucking them round her neck after a week or so. Now she bridles perfectly 99/100.

My previous horse was also a bridle-hater, and I spent six months convincing her having your bridle on didn't hurt... then came the day i accidentally shoved my thumb in her eye. :eek: Poor baby - she forgave me eventually though. :)
 
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