Youngster not dropping bit

[Echo Bravo]

I know this has been asked before, but my 4 year old has been difficult to put a bridle on, been going gently with him, he clamps his jaw when you try and get the bit in his mouth, once in he's fine, only thing is he won't let go of the bit when you try and take bridle off and sometimes throws his head up with bit still clamped in his teeth. He was shown as a foal,yearling and 2 year old (not by me) with a bit in his mouth (he's a Welsh Sec D). So any tips out there please.

 

[Foxy girl]

I have this with my 7 yr old section A - I struggle to get bit in, once in he's fine but then he hangs on to it when I take bridle off. I changed his bit to a baby one when he arrived and he was happier until my OH (bless him) tried to take bridle off and pony shot across field with bit clamped in mouth and got thoroughly spooked.

Only way I have found to do it is keep reins round his neck, keep him tied up with headcollar round neck and I hold his poll as I take bridle off so he thinks there's some pressure there still (almost as if the bridle is still on but the bit just happens to be coming loose). If he's really bad I disconnect one side of the bridle and slowly eek the bit out that way. It's the pressure on his poll that seems to do the trick though - that and tonnes of patience (from me) and lots of praise.

Good luck!

 

[Daisy11]

Please do not tie up with headcollar around neck like
Above said
I have seen a horse break its neck by such activity as being tied up I'n this form
Firstly my old pony use to do this the only trick was is to undo one side of bridle
, put a finger I'n one side and open mouth like you would to insert bit
When she opens mouth gently ease out the bit without possible banging etc on teeth
After a while she will get the idear and you can resolve back to put and taking off as normal

 

[AndySpooner]

Please do not tie up with headcollar around neck like
Above said
I have seen a horse break its neck by such activity as being tied up I'n this form
Firstly my old pony use to do this the only trick was is to undo one side of bridle
, put a finger I'n one side and open mouth like you would to insert bit
When she opens mouth gently ease out the bit without possible banging etc on teeth
After a while she will get the idear and you can resolve back to put and taking off as normal

Spot on.

 

[Tnavas]

Mollasses!

Go back a stage or two and re mouth with a mouthing bit with keys.

Put some mollasses on your fingers and gently insert them in the side of his mouth, press gently on the bar of the lower jaw to encourage him to open his mouth. The mollasses rewards him

Repeat this until the horse will open his mouth when you go to place you finger on the bar. Now progress to putting in the bit, again bit needs to be coated in mollasses.

To get bit out offer a sugar cube or a small treat that he will readily take, as he opens his mouth to take the treat gently drop the bit out. With horses that tend to be funny about dropping the bit I try to have both sides of the bridle held in my right hand that has been placed under the jaw and aroound and onto the front of the face. The I can slide the bit down and also encourage the horse to keep it's head down.

One thing I always do though with a horse that is funny about being bridled is to have a chiropractor look at it. A sore poll can be the cause of all the problems.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

One thing I always do though with a horse that is funny about being bridled is to have a chiropractor look at it. A sore poll can be the cause of all the problems.

The usual reason for horses hanging onto the bit is discomfort. I would check teeth/back/poll/neck etc. Ensure that the bit hasn't been chewed and so become roughened and if all is well, change the bit for a different shape/material. Then I would follow Evelyn's advice about going back a step or 2.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Thanks for the advice.We did notice last night his gums looked a little sore (his teeth checked Oct) and did think about a soft metal bit, but the saddlers round here don't really stock much and the bit he has is stainless steel and very smooth. We have tried pieces of apple to get him to open his mouth, but he very good at dropping his head and grabbing the apple with his lips with out opening his mouth and somehow wiggling into his mouth and he stands and sucks on it, it's hilarious watching him doing it, if it wasn't so fustrating, trying to get him to open his mouth to get the bit out.

 

[Foxy girl]

Please do not tie up with headcollar around neck like
Above said
I have seen a horse break its neck by such activity as being tied up I'n this form
Firstly my old pony use to do this the only trick was is to undo one side of bridle
, put a finger I'n one side and open mouth like you would to insert bit
When she opens mouth gently ease out the bit without possible banging etc on teeth
After a while she will get the idear and you can resolve back to put and taking off as normal

The headcollar is only slipped around the neck while bridle being put on and leadrope is attached to half strand of baler twine so can easily break if horse pulls back. This is the way I was taught and where I keep my horse this is the safest way to tack up rather than risk them slipping away and off into the middle of nowhere...