How do I make my horse non-bit sensitive?

Question

My horse had an owner that was very ruff with her mouth and now I am stuck with a horse that hates when I try to put the bit in. Is there any way that I can show her that the bit is good? Or something I can feed her that will strengthen her mouth? (getting a hacmore is no option)
THANKS

Answer 1

Try getting her teeth looked at by a dentist. She might have hooks or snags that hurt to open her mouth.



The other suggestions are good too. Make sure the bit is warm or sweetening up the bit to make it more acceptable.

Answer 2

There really isn't supplements that gentle a mouth. Gently hands is what gentles the mouth and using more leg cues. What I do when I'm training a horse to get used to a bit is I'll rub the gums in that area and put some honey there and I'll put a little bit of honey on the bit. There are these wipes that you can buy to put on your bit that will make it taste good. You could do something along the lines of that so she learns that the bit is good, not bad. Also, if it is cold where you are, it might uncomfortable because the bit is cold in her mouth. Hold it in your hand for a while so that it warms up.

Answer 3

First get her teeth checked and make sure you aren't using a bit that's too harsh for her mouth and that it fits.



When you're riding, use leg commands before having a harsh feel on her mouth. The more you squeeze and cue with your legs, the less stress there will be on her.



To make her think the bit is her friend, roll the bit in peppermint oil or put some dots of honey on it before having her take it. The peppermint taste will last for about a month or two, and she'll love it, honey won't last as long, but horses still like it. :)

Answer 4

Smear some molasses or applesauce on the bit when you put it in to make it more like accepting a treat. Try to make it warm in the winter too. Ride with a very light contact and use your legs and seat as your primary aids. When you take the bit out rub the corners of her mouth. She might pull away but she'll soon enjoy it opening her mouth and leaning into you because it feels good.

Answer 5

No...it is all about how light you are on her mouth. Start flexing her from side to side. When she gives you her head RELEASE as soon as she does. As if you hold it there then there is no reward. But if you release as soon as she does what you ask then she realizes when she gives you her head she gets it back.



Then work at her getting her to bend at the poll...put steady pressure and when she gives and bends release really quick. And keep doing that until when you pick up the reins she gives.



The bit has NOTHING to do with a horses softness. It is ALL about the release.



Also a trainer might help alot.

Answer 6

i have a horse that is very weird about her bit too. and i have trained horses what are very against bits. i have tricked them in to taking a bit. i put a carat in my hand along with my bit and she took the bit. this might not work with every horse though. another thing i have done is put the bit up to her mouth and out you finger in the gap at the corner of her mouth and rub the gum. there is no teeth in this area. when you opens her mouth out in the bit gently. this step is a very last resort step. and a cowboy taught me this one.

Answer 7

Once a horse gets use to the fact that a rider is not going to sock them in the teeth they begin to take the bridle nicely.

Make sure the bridle fits in all places, not just the height of the bit but the browband and noseband ate correct, any pinching will cause discomfort.



Also, when you remove the bridle be sure that the bit is dropped from her mouth before taking the bridle off completely.

Answer 8

When I was training Peek A Boo I would dip the bit in some water and then dip it in some small-sized grain and she'd take it right away. After a couple weeks I stopped doing this and ever since she takes the bit up before I even have it up to her face all the way!

Answer 9

giving her treats when your putting it in isnt a good idea because she can bite the bite and hurt her teeth. but you can put honey on it that way she will suck on the sweetness and be rewarded for taking it. when you go to put it in make her relax and if she throwing her head around make her calm and bring it back to where it should be then try again, dont yank it in either. after a while she eventually get it not going to hurt her

Answer 10

catch her up like you're going to ride, put her bit in, the put her back out and let her play with it for several hours. Do this for about a week. Then put it on her and round pen her with a surcingle or something like that. I use a regular girth, a billet strap, and I put clips on the ends of 2 bungee cords and clipped them to the D rings on the girth. It would pull on their mouths when they pulled but gave instant relief when they flexed at the poll and were soft in the mouth. I use this on all my colts.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d103/Appybarrel/trot3.jpg

Answer 11

try giving her treats while you put the bit in her mouth so she assiociates the bit as being a good thing