Taking the bit

A

amzy

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 August 2006
Messages
841
Visit site
How would you persuade a horse that having a bit in it's mouth will no longer hurt? New horse had the dentist 2 weeks ago and, after having a lot of hooks removed, still won't have the bit put in it's mouth. I have tried rubbing it in molasses but he's still resisting any attempts. It's a happy mouth bit so it's not the metal that's the problem and I'm sure he isn't just being naughty as he's a very genuine chap and will do anything else asked of him.
Any suggestions welcome before I consider a bitless bridle as I don't think I'll feel very safe with this.
 
What is he doing when you try and put it in his mouth? Raising his head, throwing a fit, shaking head?
 
I've had A few that don't like bits. We used 'bridle train' while the horse was happy and relaxed in his stable Take as much off the bridle as you can so theres less fidly leather in the way, like the nose band and reins etc. Now few ideas. Warming the bit, they seem to like this... Toothpaste on the bit...holding there fav tibit on the other side of the bit so to eat it they must take the bit...thumb in the corner of his mouth to open it...Always say 'open' so they soon just need 'open'...Probs no help but just some ideas that could be worth a try...Oh and remember losts of reward.
 
He just puts his head high in the air or nudges me away (or both sometimes). Two of us can sometimes manage it and once it's in he's O.K but I need to be able to do it on my own.
 
If he had a lot of problems in his mouth 2 weeks may not be long enough for all the sores to heal. Next, I wouldnt through in the towel and go to a bitless, not that there is anything wrong with that but you should try and work through this problem rather than avoiding it.

Since I dont know what is going on when you try to bridle here are some general pointers. Teach him to drop his head with pressure on t he poll. Use your hand with a halter on to add pressure on his head where your hand would be with the bridle, release and praise everytime you do this. You can also try putting the bridle over top of hte halter for the first while so you have a little more control over his head. if he is quiet but simply raises his head stand on a box so you have the leverge rather than him.

Will type more when I know what he is doing....
 
Forget-me-not I have done everything you have suggested apart from toothpaste - I use molasses. Thankyou anyway though.
 
Ok, if he is simply raising his head try the pressure exercise at the top of his head. Also try the halter on and the bridle over top. DONT tie him while you are putting the bridle on simply have the halter and lead so that he cant get out of your reach.

Make sure you praise him everytime. Dont be to nice when you are putting it on, be firm but dont push back. Either maintain the pressure with your hand or the lead, he sounds smart, once he sees it isnt going to hurt he will get better the more you do it.
 
OK, undo the cheek piece on one side, put the bridle over ears, then once head is down and relaxed bring bit to the mouth, let him have a lick and a feel and then try and put bit in, then do up the near side cheekpiece. I have never failed with this method BUT I do not know your horse!
 
Thanks for your help. I can see it being safer if he isn't tied up so I tried this morning in the stable but he just kept walking away or putting his head up. I can't seem to keep his head down AND place the bit in at the same time whether he has a headcollar on or not. Maybe I'm being too soft as I do think he associates it with pain and feel sorry for him.
 
Not sure what to suggest but ty hated a happy mouth snaffle - he's in a chunky loose ring ssnaffle and actually opens his mouth to accept the bit now - used to jave real dramas putting the bridle on!

Maybe ride him him a hackamore for a couple of months? X
 
Weezy - I have tried it this way and nearly succeeded so perhaps I shall try again tomorrow and be a bit more assertive.
 
I think some horses just hate the bit in mouth then the bit being moved by the headpiece going over the ears. With the above method you have more control over the bit stability - hope it works!
 
Be persistent, but not TOO assertive or you'll be compounding his negative association.

I had a horse that I used to have to 'build' the bridle on for MONTHS. I used to stand on a bucket, let her put her head up & then just keep trying with her widdling round until she gave it. She never worked out to put her head DOWN whilst I was up so high - she just thought I had her scuppered!

I presume you're doing the obvious putting finger inside mouth & tiggling it open?

If it were me, I'd be teaching horse to open mouth without presenting bit - i.e. with tiggling. Give treat for every opening of mouth. Then do the same again whilst holding (un-bridled) bit near mouth, getting closer & closer. Also, separately stroking (un-bridled) bit over horses face & mouth - just generally de-sensitising, aiming to stop horse from raising head. You need to get to the point of being able to manually open mouth then pop bit it - give horse treat with bit it.

Suggest when you get the bit in, feed the horse so he gets used to it being in mouth & learning not unpleasant.

It just requires patience.
 
Have you tried holding the cheekpieces together in one hand, with your arm going under his head and then hand on his nose so you can hold his head down? If you put your hand in the right place the bit will sit by his mouth, ready for you to put your thumb in the corner of the mouth whilst supporting the bit with the other hand. It's tricky when they put their heads up as you feel like you need an extra arm, but I find this works (unless the horse is a real loon)
 
Merlin doesnt open his mouth for me either.... not to avoid being bridled, he is quite happy in that respect.... he simply likes to have the last say.... thumbs in mouth are simply ignored so I always have a mint to give him with his bit. He can tell in an instant if I dont have one, and will ignore my attempts to make him open up, but if armed with one he almost puts the bridle on himself, by curling round me and creeping!!! As soon as he can smell the mint he starts.....

Perhaps just a series of treats will win him round if he is as shallow as Merlin!!!
 
Well, just got back from yard and have spent an hour trying to bit him
frown.gif
He was having none of it, no matter what method I tried (and I think I've exhausted all of them today)
confused.gif

I'm going to look into bitless bridles now or I'll never get out riding but will keep persevering at a later date.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top