Help getting a horse to accept bridle & bit?

mahorsie · 10-29-2009, 11:23 AM

As some of you know, I just recently got Dee - the horse that turned into a different horse when he got to my barn. I've accepted that and moved on, and now I'm trying to work with him on his problems.

One of those problems is bridling and accepting the bit. He truly hates it. He will toss his head as high as he can, and if that doesn't work he will back up too. I have bridled many horses - it's not that I'm doing it incorrectly, nor have I hit his teeth with the bit. My trainer checked the fit of the bridle, and also the size of the bit. She said that both fit perfectly.

I was thinking of ordering one of those Korsteel or Happy Mouth flavored bits - but I came across this article that suggested using some molasses on the bit to get him to accept it: http://www.horsewhisperer.com/horse_refuses_bridle.html

That's all fine and dandy, but I sure can't get a bit in his mouth if he won't even give me his head. That same article says to start with pulling down on his head then move on to pinching behind his ears?? Does that sound right to you guys?

Also, I don't know if it's related or not but after I've been riding Dee for a little bit, he starts flapping his lower lip. He does it for a long time - almost like he enjoys hearing the flap, flap, flap noise. I swear it's almost in tune with his hoofbeats. Is this normal lol?

My trainer is going to ride him and help me work with him tonight - and I am going to have the dentist have a look at his teeth just in case (but I doubt that is it because he has other unrelated attitude problems too).

I would be very grateful for any advice/suggestions about how to get Dee to accept the bridle and bit - and also the lip flapping?

Thanks in advance!!

mahorsie · 10-29-2009, 11:31 AM

Oh, I forgot to add that Dee is 12 years old. He is not a greenie, he's done it all before - he just has an attitude. His previous owner said that he had mild problems with bridling/bitting but she demonstrated that if you hold the bit in front of his mouth for a minute or two.. or three, he will open his mouth and accept it when he's good and ready to. Sorry, but I was taught that a horse can't decide when he wants to do things! But he won't do it when I want him to.. which is why I need help.

rizzodm · 10-29-2009, 11:35 AM

Take care of those teeth would be the first thing. We have a pony at our barn who has bridle issues. They have been giving him cookies while bridling. Start with his fav treats and work with getting him to lower his head for the treat. Once he understands to lower his head to get the treat then add the bridle. Hold the treat in your hand with the bit and bridle with treat and bit in hand. Work slowly and don't rush.

Dawn

Rosie12 · 10-29-2009, 11:46 AM

I know it sounds like a cop-out, and if your planning on show, disregard this, but you might try and consider a bitless bridle. Or something similar. I had the same problems: 12 yo that absolutely would not take a bit...switgced to clip ons and then bitless and she's perfect!

seaecho · 10-29-2009, 07:43 PM

Whatever you do, don't rush the horse. This is one of the most important factors in dealing with behavior problems, or fear. It'll take as long as it takes, as they say. First teach him to lower his head. Don't rush this either. It might take a few days, but make sure the horse is very comfortable with it before introducing the bit. Put gentle pressure on his poll (just behind the ears) with your right hand, with you standing on the horse's left side. If he doesn't lower it, push a bit harder. Still no response, then pinch gently. Still no response then pinch harder, until the horse lowers his head. You may have to dig your fingers in a bit. No doubt he'll throw his head up at first, trying to figure out how to dislodge your fingers. Don't let go of his poll. Just follow him and continue to pinch. He might shake his head too. Just calmly stay with him until he figures it out, and lowers his head. It might be just a fraction of an inch, but immediately stop the pinching/pressure when he lowers it. Then pet him. After a few seconds, try again. The trick is to give the horse release from pressure the second he lowers his head just the tiniest bit. Keep practicing. In no time, he'll be lowering it as much as you want. You'll be able to get him to lower it almost to the ground. When he's relaxed and comfortable with this exercise, introduce the bit. Put a finger or maybe your thumb in the side of his mouth, and most horses will open. Two of mine have to have the roof of their mouths rubbed or they won't open, no matter how much pressure is put on their tongues. When he opens, insert bit very carefully and slowly so as not to bang his teeth, then give copious praise. Stay patient every time! If you rush or get upset with him even one time, you can undo all the progress you've made. Make up your mind to stick with it, no matter how long it takes, and to remain absolutely calm the entire time. And don't let anyone else bridle him. Like I said, it only takes one bad experience (even though the person may have the best of intentions) to have to start all over again from square one.

mftx4 · 10-29-2009, 07:52 PM

I would have said the same thing seaecho just told you. Stay 'in tune' with him. the second he gives to the pressure. Lots of pats and rubs. I've seen some folks put fruit rollups on bits to get their horses to open their mouthes. Teeth would be my first suspicion, and then retraining so he understands it won't hurt.

10-29-2009, 11:23 AM	#1
mahorsie Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 203 Images: 15 Blog Entries: 13	Help getting a horse to accept bridle & bit? As some of you know, I just recently got Dee - the horse that turned into a different horse when he got to my barn. I've accepted that and moved on, and now I'm trying to work with him on his problems. One of those problems is bridling and accepting the bit. He truly hates it. He will toss his head as high as he can, and if that doesn't work he will back up too. I have bridled many horses - it's not that I'm doing it incorrectly, nor have I hit his teeth with the bit. My trainer checked the fit of the bridle, and also the size of the bit. She said that both fit perfectly. I was thinking of ordering one of those Korsteel or Happy Mouth flavored bits - but I came across this article that suggested using some molasses on the bit to get him to accept it: http://www.horsewhisperer.com/horse_refuses_bridle.html That's all fine and dandy, but I sure can't get a bit in his mouth if he won't even give me his head. That same article says to start with pulling down on his head then move on to pinching behind his ears?? Does that sound right to you guys? Also, I don't know if it's related or not but after I've been riding Dee for a little bit, he starts flapping his lower lip. He does it for a long time - almost like he enjoys hearing the flap, flap, flap noise. I swear it's almost in tune with his hoofbeats. Is this normal lol? My trainer is going to ride him and help me work with him tonight - and I am going to have the dentist have a look at his teeth just in case (but I doubt that is it because he has other unrelated attitude problems too). I would be very grateful for any advice/suggestions about how to get Dee to accept the bridle and bit - and also the lip flapping? Thanks in advance!!

10-29-2009, 11:46 AM	#4
Rosie12 Full Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hm...define, 'live' Posts: 231	I know it sounds like a cop-out, and if your planning on show, disregard this, but you might try and consider a bitless bridle. Or something similar. I had the same problems: 12 yo that absolutely would not take a bit...switgced to clip ons and then bitless and she's perfect! __________________ That's what a horse is, you know. It's not just a pasture and water and feed and tack, that's what a horse needs. But what a horse really is... is freedom.

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10-29-2009, 11:31 AM	#2
mahorsie Full Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 203 Images: 15 Blog Entries: 13	Oh, I forgot to add that Dee is 12 years old. He is not a greenie, he's done it all before - he just has an attitude. His previous owner said that he had mild problems with bridling/bitting but she demonstrated that if you hold the bit in front of his mouth for a minute or two.. or three, he will open his mouth and accept it when he's good and ready to. Sorry, but I was taught that a horse can't decide when he wants to do things! But he won't do it when I want him to.. which is why I need help.

10-29-2009, 11:35 AM	#3
rizzodm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Valley CA Posts: 356 Images: 4	Take care of those teeth would be the first thing. We have a pony at our barn who has bridle issues. They have been giving him cookies while bridling. Start with his fav treats and work with getting him to lower his head for the treat. Once he understands to lower his head to get the treat then add the bridle. Hold the treat in your hand with the bit and bridle with treat and bit in hand. Work slowly and don't rush. Dawn

10-29-2009, 07:43 PM	#5
seaecho Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 880 Images: 23	Whatever you do, don't rush the horse. This is one of the most important factors in dealing with behavior problems, or fear. It'll take as long as it takes, as they say. First teach him to lower his head. Don't rush this either. It might take a few days, but make sure the horse is very comfortable with it before introducing the bit. Put gentle pressure on his poll (just behind the ears) with your right hand, with you standing on the horse's left side. If he doesn't lower it, push a bit harder. Still no response, then pinch gently. Still no response then pinch harder, until the horse lowers his head. You may have to dig your fingers in a bit. No doubt he'll throw his head up at first, trying to figure out how to dislodge your fingers. Don't let go of his poll. Just follow him and continue to pinch. He might shake his head too. Just calmly stay with him until he figures it out, and lowers his head. It might be just a fraction of an inch, but *immediately* stop the pinching/pressure when he lowers it. Then pet him. After a few seconds, try again. The trick is to give the horse release from pressure the second he lowers his head just the tiniest bit. Keep practicing. In no time, he'll be lowering it as much as you want. You'll be able to get him to lower it almost to the ground. When he's relaxed and comfortable with this exercise, introduce the bit. Put a finger or maybe your thumb in the side of his mouth, and most horses will open. Two of mine have to have the roof of their mouths rubbed or they won't open, no matter how much pressure is put on their tongues. When he opens, insert bit very carefully and slowly so as not to bang his teeth, then give copious praise. Stay patient every time! If you rush or get upset with him even one time, you can undo all the progress you've made. Make up your mind to stick with it, no matter how long it takes, and to remain absolutely calm the entire time. And don't let anyone else bridle him. Like I said, it only takes one bad experience (even though the person may have the best of intentions) to have to start all over again from square one.

10-29-2009, 07:52 PM	#6
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,095 Images: 48	I would have said the same thing seaecho just told you. Stay 'in tune' with him. the second he gives to the pressure. Lots of pats and rubs. I've seen some folks put fruit rollups on bits to get their horses to open their mouthes. Teeth would be my first suspicion, and then retraining so he understands it won't hurt.