Is it me or the bit?

Question

I just got my horse probably about a week ago. And he's my first, i mean i have some riding experiance but not a lot. The second day we got him i went riding and he was basically perfect. but now everytime i get him to turn he just shakes his head all around and goes where he wants to. its a little scary i always think he's goin to buck me off. ( i know im a wimp)=( but i dunno cause he knows im not reall expericanced so he doesnt want to listen to me, or what it is. i need some help. i think were going to riding classes next week, but i just wanna know what you guys think. Thanks, and please no rude answers.

Answer 1

May not be the bit but your lack of riding experiance, but then again it could be the bit. What bit are you using?? Since your inexperianced you might not be soft on his mouth with your hands, my suggestion is have an experianced rider or vet check out his mouth to rule out physical problems and if he seems ok perhaps you need to start taking riding lessons on him or a school horse but either way It's best you take lessons anyways.

Answer 2

because you have only had him for a short amount of time he is seeing what he can get away with you neet to stop him doing what he wants he can feel that you are nervuse of him so he is taking the mik noing that he can get away with it, yes you can ask someone else to get on to try and stop him from doing it but he will not do it for them when he realizes but he will still do it for you but if he does rear please dont bute his ears or smash a egg on his head as people might say because then you may ither get him head shy or just make him worse to ride, hope this helps you

Answer 3

Its you i don't care if you have to hit the horse but now he knows your weaker than him so thats bad

Answer 4

i also had a horse who did this to me and was perfect for about the first month....i ended up realizing i needed a softer bit because the bit that i used she wasnt used to from her last owners and she didnt like it....as for turning try and use more leg if you dont already and less pressure on his mouth he will end up responding better but i believe that the bit you are using is probably the main problem if you choose to stick with it he will need a while to get used to it....just remember not to pull hard on his mouth but gently work your hands back and forth and squeeze with your legs and you will for sure get better results!

best of luck with your new horse!

Answer 5

Can't say either way without knowing what kind of bit you're using and how you're using it.

My guess is he's already figured out you don't know enough and so now he thinks he can call the shots.

Since you already plan on taking lessons, I won't say, "Take lessons!" It's a good thing you are, since if you allow it to continue it'll only get worse.

Answer 6

If his tack is the same as he was used to before you got him then I doubt it is that. It sounds as though he's testing you out and seeing what he can get away with.

Going to riding classes with him will help you to sort this out.

Answer 7

Congrats on your new horse! Your problem could be a number of things. Lessons are a great start, the more knowledge you have the more confidence you'll gain! Horses are wonderful at telling the difference between a new, unexperienced rider and the seasoned one. Now that you've done your part you should also get your horse checked over thoroughly for any pain or problem spots, especially his teeth. Also, check all your tack to make sure it's adjusted properly. I'd even suggest having a professional make sure your saddle fits your horse. One last piece of advice, be patient. It takes awhile for a new horse and rider to get accustomed to one another. But you need to be the leader in the relationship. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!

Answer 8

all right he does that because he thinks hes the boss of the "herd" you have to stay strong.. try not to get scared that horse can sence that and he WILL take advantage of that. you need to put him in 5 circles going to direction you want to go until he is finished refusing. start in a bigger area though. just walk in a straight line and then when YOU want to turn cue with your feet and hands and go the opposite way that he wants to go.. say at the end he looks like hes getting ready to turn right.. but he hasnt quite done it yet.. take those reins and turn him left.. dont be afraid to use your feet.. suggest ( push with ur calves) ask( push harder with heels ) then if all that fails you demand.. kick. if he turns the wrong way put him in circles back up and turn your way.. be the "herd" leader

Answer 9

It doesn't seem as though it is the bit especially if the first day he was fine.

Seems to me that he has figured out that you are a little nervous and not a very assertive rider and is taking advantage of you.

I would definitely look into working with a trainer so that you both can have a more confident and comfortable ride.

Good Luck!

Answer 10

make sure his tack fits and you arent riding him in some manner that is hurting him. i really hope i dont sound rude when i say this but you really should make sure your experienced and know a lot about horses before buying one. also it depends wat kind of bit ur using...wat kind! lol the only acceptable kinds are D- ring bits and full cheeck bits that are french linked, a horses teeth arent just going to start huting randomally one day but if probably a safe bet to call the vet tho just incase

Answer 11

It's definitely you, he's "winning the battle". Your horse lessons should put that in check. Definitely stick to your lessons, they'll give you knowledge and confidence! Good luck!

Answer 12

Well, I just got my first horse too.  Actually it has been like 3 months now.  But anyways, Lots of people made good answers like teeth, saddle, etc..., but he might just be testing you and not wanting to listen.  Dont let him be the boss.  Maybe have somebody more experienced ride him and see if they can get him to listen to them.  If he can tell you are inexperienced then he will use it against you.  Not all horses are like that but some are.

Answer 13

It sounds like his teeth may be bothing him. I would have them checked. Then you can rule out pain. Then go from there.

Answer 14

i think i know for a fact its you. what you need to do is find some sort of guidence, or if you want to do it yourself research horsemanship programs and techniques. its gonna take a long time (too long)for you to teach yourself everything and some things are better not learned the hard way. classes are good but youll need a little bit more than that for daily support. not much just something.

i went the route of 'natural horsemanship'. oops, i sayed the forbidden words. i faced a lot of opposition from everyone at my stable. i still dont know why.

google natural horsemanship and learn more about it. it will make you more confident and get better results. good luck! :D

Answer 15

Yes it's possibly his teeth, but that's a little coincidental.

I'd say you really do need to get some regular riding lessons.

Your horse knows you are inexperienced and also scared of him. He is going to play on this, if you give him an inch he's going to take a mile, and this is where experience comes in.

Start taking your lessons regularly and once you've gained some confidence and earned your horse's respect you're gonna do just fine.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 16

Sounds like it could be one of two things. First check his teeth. They might be causing him discomfort. If there are no issues there he may have gotten away with doing his own thing one too many times. Most of the time its the rider, not the bit. You may need to get someone more experienced in there to help you out and teach you how to get positive results from your horse and not resistance.

Answer 17

You did not say what kind for bit you are using. Do you know where to put the bit? You just bought a new horse, what do you expect to happen, if he were a good horse, he would not have been for sale. There is a place in the horses month behind where the horses teeth stop clear gum, and them the corners of his mouth, It is call the bars, that where the bit should be, The head stall should the adjusted so there is just starting to be a wrinkle in the corner of the mouth. If you are use a snaffle bit that is all of it. If you are using a curb bit, there should be two fingers between the jaw and the curb strap. When you ride, you should have a slack reins. If you horse try to take off on a slack reins. Then you need to work him. I would hope you would have a ring to work your horse in, as you have better control, that out in the open. You may not need riding lesson; you horse may need more work or retraining. Do you have any friends that have more experience at riding than you do? Have then ride the horse and see what they think. In my experience with training horses. I all ways rode the horse to be able to tell the owner what to do. Some time we had to refresh the horse in a taste of good manners Some time we had to go back to ring work and retrain the horse, and a lot of time we had to change the bad habits of the owners. And some time it was just a frisky horse, that needed a work out be for you got in the saddle, I all ways work my stud in a rind 20/30 minutes before riding as he was stall keep, he was all ways ready to go I could ride hi ether way, it was just more pleasant when you took the edge off of him first. It is really hard to say, with out see you ride are hoe you have him set up. Maybe the person who you are going to for lessons will see, some thing that will help. That is what happens some times when new people go out a buy, horses by then self. I hate to say it but if he works one day and two days latter he was acting up the sellers may have tranquilized him for sale. Good luck to you and I will look for your post to see how you are doing.

Answer 18

First of all, any experienced rider will tell you that you can always learn more and should always take lessons. So you will probably learn a ton from your first lesson. The head shaking and pulling you to where he wants to go is him testing you. If you tell him that you are in charge he will probably change his tune. This is a very scary thing when you're learning a new horse and it is always harder when it's your horse and not someone else's horse. Changing a horse's bit is not always the answer. You should always try to ride in the mildest and most comfortable bit for the horse that gives you the nesscary control. I think you should take it slow and not push your limits with him, bonding is key to a good riding relationship.

Answer 19

What kind of bit does he wear?  Iit might be that your reins are too tight/hands too shaky/etc, and if he's wearing a severe bit or a bit with long shanks, then it will be that much more uncomfortable for him.  He might have "put up with it" the first ride, but was not OK with it thereafter.

He might also have a problem with his teeth, bugs in his ears, a sore on his poll...check him over physically.

Lastly, are you sure your bridle is adjusted correctly?  If it's too loose or too tight, he's going to shake his head in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.

Take the riding lessons, and stick with them.  You are correct to get some help from experienced people, as there is a lot to learn about horsekeeping and riding.  Good luck!