My horse is REALLY bit shy, what can I do do help him?

Question

My mother and I origionally got him for her, we rode him before we bought him and he took the bit. When we got him home, it turned out, he was so terrified of the bit he did everything he could to get away. We tried to associate the bit with sugar or clover, bit he still fought. We resorted to a hackamore and that has worked fine, not perfectly, but it's worked. Now my mom has passed his responsibility to me since she knows she can't ride him. I've been working with him to sort of "re-train" him and he's come a long way. I can get bailing twine in his mouth and I can mess with his lips to look at his teeth, (he used to fight this too) but he still won't let me do anything that has any association with a bit, like using my finger to open his teeth.

Could anyone give a suggestion on what I can do to help him?

Answer 1

really you need to pay alot of attention to him and show him that knowone is going to hurt him

Answer 2

slowly approach him with a nice treat.

once he gets comfortable with that, pet him/her

ALOT.

and let him get your scent.

animals have an amazing way of telling whats good and bad.

Answer 3

make him watch other horses

Answer 4

just love him for who he is

Answer 5

Maybe hes had a bad mishap from a bit, like somebody pulling it too hard or being forced to put it in, or hes just having a hard time settling with new people and a new place and not trusting you yet

Answer 6

Most times, a horse can work well in a hackamore. I would suggest finding a hackamore that he is comfortable in that works for you both. A horse doesn't NEED a bit to be a good horse. Take some time and work with the hackamore. You'd be surprised at how well your horse can respond.