[HorseCrazy80]

Ok I am trying to figure out how to get my horse calm and relaxed on the bit. When I ride he is constantly fighting and resistaning it. I try to massage it and ask to to take it. I have very light hands and he does have a few moments when he gets it but thats truly it, moments! I am wondering how do you get your horse to take the bit more calmly? What are your thoughts on what I should do? Side reins when lungeing? Keep up the riding and hope he takes it better even after it been 7 months and he hasnt really improved? Is it that some horse just dont and wont relax even thought it would be more comfortable for them? Thanls for your time and help!!!

[Gallop N Gal]

maybe try putting somthing that will distract him a little, like music or ride with someone! That will keep him focused on more than just fighting the bit!

[Cavalier]

There could be many factors as to why he is resisiting:

* He needs his teeth done
* The saddle and or bridle doesn't fit properly
* He isn't happy in the bit
* You are asking incorrectly
* He is confused

What you need to do is rule out all the pysicals. Get his teeth done by a qualified dentist and show the dentist the bit you are riding him in, get him to have a look at it in his mouth and see if it would be causing any probs in ratio to the shape of his mouth and palate.

Get your saddle and bridle professionally fitted and get a massage therapist out to rule out any pain in the back or any other areas.

Then, if thats all good, find a good dressage instructor to help you. If this horse hasn't done any of this kind of work before, it will be even harder for you to train him in it.

You need to have him forward (not fast, but active) and you need to have a very steady outside rein contact and use a combination of leg, seat and half halts.

Bottom line, get him checked out physically, then find an instructor.

[skysthelimit]

I completely agree with everything cavalier has said. I would check his teeth first before I did anytihng else. You do not want to try and solve a physical issue with behavioral methods. It simply won't work and isn't fair to the animal!

I don't know much about side reigns- but I can imagine that depending on the type of bit you are using, and whether or not he's in pain- they could be doing more harm than good!

It doesn't matter how light your hands are- if the horse hates the bit, he hates the bit! Get him a different one, and keep trying until he is noticably happier, more relaxed and more agreeable. I know this from experience, because I had my mare in a wonder bit, which put pressure in all the wrong places, forcing her to swing her head up way high and be stiff all over. Even though the bit was so harsh, she dared not refuse it- I knew she did not like it at all. So I bought her a rubberized D-ring snaffle bit, and it is like I am working a different horse! She automatically lowered her head when all that pressure came off, and now she snorts, and stretches and is a much happier and easier handled animal.

Good luck and I hope all goes well. Let us know what you find out!~Brittany

[luvs2ride79]

First, have your vet check his teeth. He could have a wolf tooth or sharp points bothering him. Also have a good equine chiroprator out to check his back, your saddle fit, and your saddle placement. He could be hurting somewhere else in his body.

If he checks out fine physically, then he doesn't like your bit! Next, get rid of it! Try riding in just a halter and clip reins and see how he does. Ride him at least a few times to give him a chance to loosen up. Next, borrow some bits with different mouth pieces to try. Try a 3 peice snaffle (french link bit), try a mullen mouth, try a low port, try everything! Give each bit at least 3 rides to see how the horse really reacts.

Make sure you're riding with a QUIET upper body and light hand. Some horses are sensitive to rein giggling, even if the reins are slack. A bouncy rider in the seat and/or leg can also cause a horse discomfort. Have a balanced riding instructor evaluate your position/riding skill and how it is effecting your horse. If you can't find a balanced/centered riding instructor, look for a Dressage instructor that is schooled in balanced/centered techniques.

Good luck!

~Barbara

[JBandRio]

What bit are you using? If you went with a nice "mild" fat snaffle, the bit might be too large for his mouth, either because his tongue is fat, or his palate is low, or he just doesn't like the feel of something that big in his mouth.

If it's a single-jointed bit, he may hate that for the above reasons and would prefer a double-jointed snaffle.

You may have the bit too high in his mouth.

[nd deb]

he might not like that bit, bit maybe too much for him or perhaps he has a tooth bothering, wolf tooth or something.

[Lindsayanne]

In addition to the great advice above, I vote that the side reins, properly used and and properly adjusted, with a bit he likes, might really help. If the problem isn't pain or legitimate discomfort, he may just need to learn that the bit isn't there to accomidate him. when you argue with him, you just teach him that if he fights enough he doesn't have to submit and obey. The thing about appropriately used side reins is that they fight and fuss with a rein that doesn't give (much) and doesn't make mistakes or bounce around in their mouth. Once they learn that lesson on side reins it makes the job of teaching it under saddle much easier.

Just don't overdo the side reins. They can be dangerous and a horse feeling that restriction for the first time can and will flip out and even flip over. It's best to start with an instructor or profesional trainer, and start very, very loose and shorten the side reins over a course of weeks and months, not minutes or days.

[Super_Trooper]

In addition to what everyone else said...I would let go of his face and warm up letting him stretch down, no contact and just ride him nice and forward, this really helps them to stretch out, warm up and come to a relaxed state of mind....

[HorseCrazy80]

He actually had his teeth checked by 3 dentistss. One dentist said he had a horrible mounth (due to to the bad care of his OLD owners)and the dentist recommended we put him down. Now this angered me only cause if worst came to worse I would let him just live in pasture happy for the rest of his life not kill him cause his teeth are bad. So this scare me and I got the help of 2 other ceritified dentists and they both said his teeth are fine, enough to be ridden, and to be comfortable. Now they arent great I have to get the teeth done twice as often as others. Well anyways I put a happy bit loose ring snaffle on his bridle. He seems fine with it. I believe it doesnt hurt that bad cause when and after I canter he pulls and rounds up really well. He really pulls and it shows he can do it but at trot and walk and sometimes into canter transitions he fights chops and just a little tense. So it is and isnt a mounth problem. I mean I done everything I can do possible to help the health factor so now I want him to be comfortbale when we ride and almost relaxing for me and him.