What would you do?

ChasingTheDream

ChasingTheDream

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Hi, :)

I have been looking for a horse of my own for ages now, and I have found a gelding who I really like; He's only young, and unbroken, but has been lunged and long reined, and has a lovely character, He's not spooky, and very inquisitive. He's within my budget, and comes with brand new accessories etc :D

Now, for the bad stuff. :(

He's awful to bridle.
Owner told me as soon as I rang that he wasn't good to bridle as he was fussy about his ears being touched; but didnt mind a headcollar;

so on wednesday my Dad drove me down for 3 hours, went and had a look and he was gorgeous! Lead him up and down, groomed him, and he was excellent, a little nosey, and kept reaching to get some grass, but other than that he was perfect - so we put a deposit down. :D

Went today again to see him; another really long drive but I thought it would be worth it; went, brought him in from the field; he was as good as gold. unrugged him; groomed him; put his saddle on; didn't move a muscle; other than to sneeze all over me :rolleyes: :p

Went to put a bridle on, the convential way, and owner reminded me he was fussy, so I did it her way; by un-doing one of the cheek pieces; sliding it up his neck etc, and he was fine - did lift his head up a little but nothing major. :cool:

Went to put the bit in this mouth; and he wasn't having it; was tossing his head up and down, so I kept my thumb on his gums, and released when he put his head down, but this continued.

Owner said she'd have a go, and same happened. by this time horse was getting agitated, as was owner.

Owner got the headpeice and browband on, but bit was still hanging loose, and horse was tossing his head, resulting in the horse getting a few whacks from the snaffle bit. :eek:

Owner apoligised profoundly and said that he wasnt usually like this.



Now, I do not know what to do! :(

I am in love with this horse, he is perfect in every other way!


But - what would you do?


I was planning on giving the horse a month off anyway; letting him settle in his new home and do lots of ground work with him etc, but I'm worried I wont be able to put a bridle on him.

I'm in no rush to start riding him btw, I was planning on giving him a month off, leading him out on hacks etc, then lunging him at walk, then walk and trot before gradually introducing canter, then long reining, etc, so I knew from the start it was going to take me a while.

I was thinking I could try and get someone to come and help me, I've heard this guy is good: http://www.horseshrink.co.uk/Contact.htm


Anyway; what would you do? Buy him regardless, or look elsewhere? I have to let owner know asap.

Thanks for reading!!! :)
 
its a difficult one, do you listen to your head or your heart.

IF you feel that this is the right horse for you and you are prepared to work on this potential problem then I'd be inclined to go ahead. There could be many reasons he's funny about the bridle, has he had his teeth checked etc.
 
Hes only young, so Id say it can be sorted. Would advise getting a training bridle with clips for easy bit changes rather than having to do up billets. Then you can practise getting the bridle on with the bit last. Also an old trick, try putting some minty toothpaste on the bit, they love the taste, usually.

Personally if hes great in every other way I would have him, another thought it could be due to pain why hes being funny, get him vetted and his teeth checked. HTH
 
As the horse is about 3 hours away from me, would it be worth asking the owner to allow me to loan the horse for a month? That way I can have the vetting done at the yard, so I wont be charged for mileage?

Thanks for all the replies :D xxx
 
I would give it a go, definatly get teeth/mouth checked. And be aware that if it is pain issues, just getting the issue sorted doesnt always work because it can go alot deeper.

My mare had bad teeth and a year after theyve been sorted shes still unhappy with a bit :o
 
If its only the bridle thing thats holding you back I am sure it could be sorted. If you have him vetted that would show up if there were any mouth probs.
FWIW I find a nylon bit (ie happy mouth type) great for bitting babies. If they do happen to chuck their head about whilst you are putting bridle on its really light and won't hurt their teeth.
I had a pony who was like this and I just used a chifney headpiece with the nylon bit so it was easy to get on and off. Once he settled with this he progressed to a proper bridle and bit.
 
Could he have been ear twitched in the past? Another reason they can be funny about bridling. I wouldn't worry too much if you're otherwise happy with him. Once all checks have been done then lots of very patient gentle practice should sort this out. What works best for you will depend on your relative heights (I'm not too tall so have to adapt the 'standard' approaches sometimes!) and why he is funny about the bridle. Whatever you do lots of being calm and treating/praising any advances should be the basis.
 
My mare was terrible for this and even reduced me to tears. She's 16h and a jumper too with plenty of miles on the clock.

I had her teeth rasped and it turned out that she had never had them done. There was a slash in her cheek and a hole completely through her tounge! Goodness knows how she wasn't driven mad, She was 7 then.
She wears an elevator bridle now with a myler low port bit. I don't rush anything and ask her to drop and step back from the bit when removing, so she does it herself. Taking the bridle off gently is just as improtant as putting it on.

If in all other ways he's the pony for you I'm sure you'll get past it, We did.

Good luck with him.
 
HI CTD I wouldnt let this put you off. When I first got my horse he was very similar and just as bad taking the bridle off (hed hold the bit in his mouth and run round the stable) Try rubbing a bit of apple on the bit It just needs someone patient and gentle with him and Im sure youll have great success.:)
 
I agree with Sydneysmum, this isn't a big problem. Get the vet to have a good look to make sure he has no teeth or mouth problems and get a nylon/rubber baby bit. It could be fear if he has been hurt with a metal bit. Arm yourself with loads of patience and allow plenty of time to put on and take off. Honey on the bit worked for my TB. I also put her bridle on to take her to the field so she didn't associate it with work. Good luck:)
 
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