Bridling.......won't accept bit?

Question

I have atwo year-old and Im not sure he has had a bit in his mouth before. His wolf teeth have been removed, so I know its ok to start trying to get him to have one in his mouth. Everytime I try to put the bit in his mouth, he always moves his head away, I don't want to start a fight or start bulling him. any advice on how to get him to take it?

Answer 1

Put your arm over the back of his head with your hand on his cheek and hold his head to your body till he is calm. If he fights hard, let him up and do it again till he is calm, then move your hand so you can grab the sides of the bridle and with your free hand jiggle it on his teeth till he accepts it. If he freaks, let him go and try it again. Be very patient. Leave it on him for only a minute then put your arm over his head again, this will keep him from throwing his head when you take out the bit, and tell him spit it as you take the bit out. If you don't feel comfortable. you can put your arm under his head and put your hand on his nose. This will give you alittle more control but his head can bruise up your shoulder if your not careful.



This will keep him calm without hurting him. Just don't put him in a head lock, keep gentel pressure and talk to him.



~Edit~

I Don't recommend ANY sweeteners on the bit. It will make him lick and chew and he could chip a tooth or make him have an active mouth and would make a flash nessessary if you ever wanted to show him or jut have a moments peace. An active mouthed horse also has a higher risk of chipping a tooth or slipping his tounge over the bit. It'll make more problems then solve. Even if it is only one time. Don't teach him that he can lick the bit.

The finger in the mouth works too but =/ I've trained all my horse to open the second they feel the bit on their teeth. It saves time, slobber and them learning that your going to stick your thumb in their mouth. Besides, it always frightened my thoroughbred when I had to make her open her mouth. She's very touchy on her mouth every since I had to do it once when she was being a butt. It might just be her but why risk it? Do it as a last resort.

Answer 2

What type of bit are you using?? For a first bit, it should be a jointed thick bit a snaffle of some sort..with a rubber or copper mouthpiece to keep the mouth wet. Make sure it doesn't pinch the corners of the mouth (too tight). Make sure it is properly adjusted and not hanging or too loose where he can get his tongue over it.



You don't want to overbit and end up with a hard mouthed horse.



You can try and put some molasses on the bit to see if he will accept it easier.



I used to take the reins off a bridle and once the bridle is on, either leave them in their stall..remove food and hay and let them adjust to it for small periods of time..building up to more.



This is a very important stage in training..so if you have access to a trainer or an experienced horse person, seek assistance and don't be afraid to ask for help.



And remember..patience!!

Answer 3

Make sure the bit is tight enough against the corners of the mouth so that he isn't getting his tongue over it, that causes frustration for the horse. I have no clue what bit you are trying to show pictures of as I only saw a bridle but my advice would be try a grazing bit if you must use one. If you have a calm horse try a hackamore(no bit, uses pressure for stopping and turning). I had a paso fino that hates a bridle but he worked well with a hackamore.

Answer 4

First put the reins around his neck and be ready to quickly place the brow band and slip the ears under the crown of the bridle once you have the bit in. With reins around neck high at throat latch area--have a bit of honey on the bit-give him a taste first, then- holding the bit in the palm of your hand, use your thumb and pinky on the bars of his mouth inside and apply enough pressure to get him to open- do not bang his teeth, slide the bit in and the crown piece over the head in one motion, you can also open the bridle and refasten after getting him to accept the bit or get a split ear bridle. Good luck.

Answer 5

I'm short (5'3") so bridling horses would be a problem if I hadn't learned long ago that you grab the headstall in the middle with your right hand and draw it upwards, then with your left hand, guide the bit into the horse's mouth after first inserting your thumb where there are NO teeth. Horse opens mouth, bit goes in. Once bit is in then slide the headstall crownpiece over your horse's ears and it's a done deal.

Answer 6

To begin with, get on an even base or even higher (step stool) than your horse) so that you can quietly be in control...hold the bit in your left hand and put your right arm over the top of your horses head (between the ears) and gently place the bit into your horse's mouth, and use your right hand to pull the headstall in place...be patient, be gentle and don't bump your horse's teeth in the process, this could create a new problem that you don't even want to deal with. Just keep in mind, stay higher than your horse's head and you can stay in control...make sure that you praise him when he accepts the bit...it really isn't that big of a deal...no need for karo, just get on with it. The first time that you bridle your horse, you may want to bridle him OVER the halter, so that you can maintain control...

Answer 7

First, put the halter around his neck so that if he wants to leave, you can grab the halter. Put your hand over his nose while holding the bridle. In the other hand, hold the bit. Stick your thumb in the very back of his lips which will make him open his mouth. Then, you can slip the bit in.

You may want to have another person with you, so that they can try to catch him before he tries to turn/back up or leave.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

You aren't ready to teach him to accept the bit until you've taught him to open his mouth when you apply pressure to the gums in the space where a bit will go. Work on that first. I use my thumb and 3rd finger, placing my hand under the chin and using my thumb and 3rd finger to kind of squeeze them between the upper and lower gums. When he opens his mouth stop and reward him with praise. Don't try the bit again until he is comfortable opening his mouth every time you do this.,,When you try the bit again, first open his mouth, then slip the bit in without banging his teeth...I can do it one-handed but I can't explain how.



Edit: Okay...I gave it some thought...with my right hand holding the headstall by the crown, and my right arm up over the neck and between the ears, I put the center of the bit between my thumb and index finger. With my fingers over the bit, I use my thumb and 3rd finger to spread apart the gums, and I push the bit into the mouth while pulling it in with my right hand.

Answer 9

Try asking your horse's head come around to where you stand when you bridle him. Try bridleing him neck to his shoulder, so that his head comes around in the one-rein stop position. Get him used to you holding stuff anround his head with out asking him to put anything in his mouth. When you do ask, ask politly by holding it in his lips and where his teeth part. If he doesn't take the bit, put your thumb in the far back of his mouth, he should then open his mouth and then you slip it in saying Good Boy!!



hope this helps!

Answer 10

I never really had a horse with this problem, but it seems like I heard if you put some Karo syrup on the mouthpiece the horse will take it. Not sure if that is true. Maybe it was molasses.

Answer 11

Suggestion: You could place your hand over his nose to steady him while you put your thumb where there are no teeth on the bottom. Be sure not to ever hit the bit against any teeth.

Answer 12

Put your hand over his head between his ears and when he trys to pull away put a little bit of pressure on his head.

Answer 13

When it came time to train my two year old filly she didn't have such good ideas of the bit. But with a little syrup and some treats it changed her mind (or grain). So for your horse try persuading their mind with something that talks most to horses, food!



Hope this helped. =]

Answer 14

hold his head down with one arm and put your thumb in the back of his mouth where there arent any teeth

Answer 15

I wish i could help. But i use a natural bitless bridle. I have never had a problem with it.