putting bit in

Q

Quival

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Can you help with suggestions to help me get my horse to take his bit. He seems to really resent it and I have to admit that a bit of a slap on the side of his face calms him down immediately and he gets the bit in. Otherwise he lifts his head up so I cannot reach or tries to pull away. Never hit my horse in the stable and feel ashamed to admit to this. So some good advice is desparately needed
 
have his teeth been done really well? it could be a symptom, not a bad habit. i always give them the benefit of the doubt.
slapping him on the head will just make the job harder next time, imo. if you have to slap him cos you think he's taking the pee, slap him on his chest or shoulder.
have something ready to stand on if necessary, put headcollar around his neck so he can't pull away.
 
I must admit that Athena gives me grief when I'm trying to put her bit in - she clenches her mouth shut. I usually end up in tears through frustration. The last time I tried to put the bit in I gave up and rode her in the menage with a head collar and lead rope on!!
 
Tie him up with his headcollar on - buy yourself a mounting block and stand on it to put the bit in. I personally never treat or smack however I will happily spend a whole morning just putting the bit in and taking it out and putting it in and taking it out...
 
When I first got my mare she had been in a riding school and would stick her head up when being briddled (can't say I blame her). I found it easier in the stable as I could shove her bum against the wall so she couldn't back up. I always tried to simply offer her the bridle quietly first adn then if she stuck her head up they I held her nose down with her bum against the wall, which was uncomfortable not scary. I would avoid slapping the face and be patient. In the end she realised it was much nicer to just take it in the first place. In fact she even stood very nicely while my BF tried to put the bridle on backwards with the brow band over her ears!
 
Also try reinforcing toothpaste/carrot/whatever with voice aids. Any horse I have is trained to open mouth for bit on command "open". I have a dodgy left hand and can't manage otherwise. It has the advantage that you are less likely to clunk their teeth as they are partially in control of bit going in, if that makes sense.
 
i personally wouldnt use tooth paste as the amount of chemicals in it are silly (if you ate a tube it could kill you) i used to use honey for one of mine and practised as often as possible even when we werent going to do any work she got the message in the end
 
H is the same, as soon as reins over the head, head goes up, i find stroking side of face lowers head, then as soon as bit in it is a scramble to get over ears. i then llet him get comfy and shake bit in mouth before doing up and sorting forlock. Patience is the only way. giving treats or smaking will only make it worse

p.s. teeth dine, mouth fine, fine when rideen, excited at being ridden
 
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