How to get a horse to "accept the bit"?

Question

My friend is getting a new TB, and her barn manager, who is also her close friend, says she needs to "ride more agressively" and "teach him to accept the bit better." Can you help us figure this out?

Answer 1

Aggressive riding will not make a relaxed horse. A strong seat, nice hands, and patient rider will make a happy horse. A happy horse will relax and accept the bit. She needs to get him to relax his head down . This is the first step to collection. From there she can work on getting him on the bit through an active seat and soft hands.

Answer 2

I do have to say that I think it would be important to ask your friend's barn manager exactly what she means. However, I would interpret what she said like this:

"Riding More Aggressively" does NOT necessarily mean that you are causing fights with your horse and/or abusing the bit. It simply means that, using all of your natural aids (in particular your seat, hand, and leg), you don't allow your horse to pick up bad habits. For example, if your horse were to spook, an "aggressive rider" would make him keep going, rather than backing off. An "aggressive rider" might also halt frequently with a horse who is too headstrong.

And "accepting the bit" can also be translated as framing. Tell your friend to work her fingers - alternating hands, tug gently by squeezing your fingers. (It sounds strange, but it will make more sense once you try it). You will see with time her horse beginning to frame, or in other words lowering his head a bit and tucking his nose in. This is an ideal position for horses of most disciplines.

"Riding aggressively" and "teaching him to accept the bit" are by no means abusive methods of training; nor do either of the terms mean to rely solely on the reins. They merely help your horse to understand that YOU are the one in charge, and allow you to have total control of your ride.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

Sounds like a failure to communicate.  The best way to know what she means is to ask her to explain further.

It could mean that you need to use your seat and leg cues more aggressively in order get forward impulsion and drive the horse onto the bit, so that the horse will accept the bit and not brace against it.  This is how you achieve collection and proper movement that is essential to basic horsemanship.

Answer 4

Maybe she means something else.

Not like whipping it aggressively and tugging the reins as hard as you can.

She probably means that the rider should put more work or work harder in their riding or something..

Answer 5

i wouldnt listen to that barn manager! DO NOT RIDE MORE AGRESSIVELY! if you are jerking on the bit or "always on their head" basically always using your bit, the horse will just get a hard mouth meaning they will need harsher and harsher bits to keep control. its better to keep them with a soft mouth so they listen to their cues nicely... use your legs ALOT when youre riding, leg cues are better and safer and incase your bridle or reins break you can still tell your horse what to do. a friend of mine was circling before a barrel pattern when her rein came undone.. it was too late to stop her horse and she ended up running the whole pattern amazingly using her leg cues!

Answer 6

I think that you should ask her what she means. When being a horse owner you need to be confident and ask questions!!

Ride more agressively- Ride with confidence and let him know who is boss. Be strong and punish if they arent listening.

Accept the bit- Either she means that he needs to take the bit when you tickle his lips and are tacking up/ putting the bridle on. Or she means when she is riding him that he needs to listen to her while riding and using the reins are controlling the horse. He may need a stronger bit.

I would ask to be sure but otherwise I hope this helped!!

:) Good Luck and I guarentee that if you ask it will make life easier!