won't take the bit - any ideas?

[LeneHorse]

My friend rescued a horse last year and has spent a lot of time with the vet and farrier sorting out her various problems. She now has a clean bill of health. She has been long reining well for a couple of months and is happy to go forward. My friend is now trying her with tack. She is fine getting saddled but refuses to take the bit. On the couple of occasions she has managed to get the bit in she is absolutely fine once it is in. It is just the process of putting it into her mouth that freaks her. She clenches her teeth, tosses her head violently and has also reared. Something bad has obviously happened in the past. Has anyone experienced anything like this and did you find a solution. Her teeth were done recently, so don't think thats the problem.

 

[JenTaz]

i'd suggest her to put some treacle on the bit to make her think it is a nicer feeling as it will taste nice to her and se will remember that as some horses dont like the cold steel in their mouth and something bad could have happened in the past she could try a happy mouth as she wouldnt get the steel in her mouth if you know what i mean

 

[Chestnutter]

I would say maybe a couple of times, put the bit in warm water to warm it up if it is metal, and then put treacle or whatever on it, but just get her to accept it and then leave it on a good note.
my horse is in a happy mouth, maybe that would work, it wont get cold either

 

[teddyt]

Use a loose ring french link snaffle with a thin mouthpiece. Warm the metal and put toffee sauce or similar on the bit. Be very careful when taking it off that the horse drops the bit and the bit isnt pulled out. Also consider wrapping the bit in latex.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

My mare started going through a stage of doing this, i just gave her a treat with the bit, no problems, that could be worth a try

 

[devilwoman]

a very thin layer of mint toothpaste spread along the bit worked with my mates hard to bit horse.

 

[merlinsquest]

I have had merlin 5 years and I have always offered him a mint imperial, or similar, along with his bit.

He isnt bad to tack up, just slow..... very slow to open his mouth, and the more you try the slower he gets.

With this method he actually seeks the bit (well the treat, lets not kid ourselves), so we are all happier

 

[marlyclay]

Damp some hay,twist it thinly and twine it around the bit.
Undo the cheek piece one side of the bridle ,put the headpiece on first,stand to the side of her and offer the" hay bit",use your thumb to encourage her to open mouth ,once in do up cheek piece and let her mouth,munch away at bit.The hay will eventually disapear.
Don't use too thick a mouthpiece or too thick a twine of hay,just enough too encourage her to take the bit .What bit are you using?If shes a real babe i would start with a mullen mouth nylon snaffle,they are warm ,lightweight and not to thick.Once she is over her phobia you can move on to something else .

 

[Cobbysmum]

I got through a couple of jars of honey wih my cob - dipped the joint of the snaffle in and no problem whatsoever.