won't open mouth / getting strong

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aspirit

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Hi my new mare has an ongoing problem of refusing to take the bit. I have tried the opening the mouth techniques / giving treats / painting the bit with nice things and still we battle. I guess the only answer is a rubber one ? She is in a french link snaffle and as she has got fitter has got stronger. She came in a dutch gag and flash, but tossed her head alot and was sore from the flash. Is there anything inbetween the snaffle / gag in the rubber coating ?
 
The only answer isn't a rubber bit.. It's an option but i'd also consider trying a bitless bridle if I were you :)
 
When did she last get seen by the dentist? If her mouth is in discomfort she isn't going to want a bit in it.
 
I've recently(weeks) gone over to a Micklem bridle and wow what a difference. If you can borrow one I'd suggest you give it a try, I wish I'd had years ago.
 
thinking about it . I didn't see her tacked up, but I saw her being untacked and she was o.k. She isn't o.k with me. She hangs on to it, so I suppose she doesn't like the feel of it on her teeth. I changed it to a snaffle french link from dutch gag and she has been fine in this, but as she has got fitter she has got a tendancy to rush off like a steam engine. Someone said use a flash again, but I thought these were if they put their tongue over the bit ?
 
tguest said:
thinking about it . I didn't see her tacked up, but I saw her being untacked and she was o.k. She isn't o.k with me. She hangs on to it, so I suppose she doesn't like the feel of it on her teeth. I changed it to a snaffle french link from dutch gag and she has been fine in this, but as she has got fitter she has got a tendancy to rush off like a steam engine. Someone said use a flash again, but I thought these were if they put their tongue over the bit ?
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Loose ring snaffle or standard snaffle?

If she wasn't in a loose ring, I'd reccomend trying a loose ring, copper mix with a double link, but with more of a peanut than the flat French link. My mare was ok in the gag but she fixed against it. She far preferred a double link and by using something that was loose ring she could never take a hold as it just moved every time she tried, the copper will taste better and help her accept the bit. It's quite possible that she just doesn't like the action of a gag... Remember it has poll action and many horses don't like this, if you aren't putting it on the second or third ring and are just using the first you won't have poll action but you may as well just use a plain snaffle as that's all your getting out of it.

Personally I would take her back to something similar to what she was in to begin with, adding copper, loose ring and a peanut to the mix... Will find a pic and post it to show what I mean
 
Here we go this is off ebay but neue Schule do some great versions of these:

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thanks for this, yes. I thought that about the gag so have stayed clear of using one. The loose ring advice is good. I just don't know if she will take a metal bit to begin with. If I can get over the tacking up stage i will try this.
 
Have you tried putting her bridle on differently? My horse has ear issues so I pop the noseband over her ears first, separately. I then undo the left cheekpiece of the bridle and put the headpiece over her ears, then I bring the bit round into her mouth. Much happier horse, takes less time than trying to battle.

It does sound like she might be unhappy with the bit/bridle for some reason though, check everything fits ok and that the bit is not banging on her teeth. A non metal snaffle might help purely for tacking up practise and getting her used to it.
 
Maybe all you need is practice at getting the horse to open its mouth for you. There are ways and means to do it quickly and without a fuss even if the horse doesn't particularly want to open its mouth. Ask around at your yard and hopefully you'll find someone to show you.
 
tguest said:
thanks for this, yes. I thought that about the gag so have stayed clear of using one. The loose ring advice is good. I just don't know if she will take a metal bit to begin with. If I can get over the tacking up stage i will try this.
Click to expand...

How about, for a few days, just working off the ground... Lunge (without a bridle) or loose school to keep her ticking over... And spend a few days, just putting the bit in, giving her treats, start with very short periods, keep everything calm, you must remain calm too;). Work up the length of time, then lead her around in hand... Then stick her on the lunge, bit in mouth but use a cavasson to lunge off. Try to not move up a stage until you feel she is completely relaxed...

When it comes to riding out... Just walk, loose rein, again keep it short. Remember we are supposed to ride from our seat, not with our hands... Are you sure you aren't interfering too much with her mouth and she's reacting to this?

Another thing to ask is how old is she?
 
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