Problems with the bit!!???

Question

i have trouble getting a bit in my horses mouth because he likes to bob his head and it is frustrating. if u have any tips i would love them thanks! xoxoxoxox

Answer 1

It can help to unhook one side of the bit and then when the bridle is on and everything is secured then put the bit in and connect the otherside. They also make apple or carrot wipes that you put on the bridle that make them want it.

Answer 2

I'm assuming his teeth and gums are in good contition.  If you're using a shank bit, put together a headstall with a plain snaffle, at least  for teaching purposes.  Leave his halter and leadrope on.  Will he drop his head on command, and can you rub his ears and poll with no problem?  You need to be able to touch him all over his head, face and mouth while he keeps his head low, without attempting to pur the bit in his mouth, so that is the first goal.  This might take a while if he's really tossing his head violently.  He's probably either had a pain issue related to a bit, or has gotten into some fights with grooms (or riders) over being bridled.  Either way, you need to reprogram him to keep his head low and quiet  while you're allowed to mess with his head and mouth.  That achieved (As I said, may take a while.  20 minutes to several sessions - over days), the next goal will be to get him to open his mouth, keeping his head low.  Just putting your finger in the corner of his mouth at the interdental space and getting him to open his mouth without tossing his head will be what you're looking for.

Once you can do that without incident, you can start with the headstall and bit.  As you raise the bit toward his mouth, do NOT press the bit against his teeth.  Ask him to open his mouth with your left thumb in the corner of his mouth again, and gently lift the bit in with your left hand, as if you were bridling a horse without problems.  Whatever you do, don't get in a fight and don't get impatient, because he'll read this and will not cooperate.  

A trick some friends of mine frequently use is to dip the bit in powdered sugar or molasses (too messy), but I prefer the other method.  But if you want a quick "fix", the sweets  may distract him enough to get him to stop bobbling and accept the bit.

Answer 3

You can buy apple strips or peppermint strips that slip right onto the bit like tape and it not only smells good, it tastes good so the horse is encouraged to take the bit.  

Answer 4

Try some bit tape, it comes flavored like apple. it also cushions the bit in case it hurts. this is pretty cheap, def. try it.  

Answer 5

first makes sure that he had his Wolf teeth removed, that is probebly the most common  problem if you have broblems with the bit. If he just plainly just hates tha bit try this.

http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/m...

This has worked tremedously with other people.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Horses can be difficult like that, its just an evasion.

Go into his stable with a sturdy chair, you dont want to fall off it! and pull on his forlock to get him to bring down his head.

Then when you get the bit in his mouth, reward him with a pat on the neck.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Tie your horse's head down really low so he/she can not left its head. Then when you horse tries to bob its head he/she can not left it up and if you tie your horse this way every time you tie him/her soon he/she won't do it again.

Answer 8

Because I'm so short, I've had a couple young thoroughbreds think they're having fun by lifting their heads out of my reach when bridling.  EZ solution: undo the bit on the left side, slip just the headstall over his ears, buckle the chin strap, then slip the bit it and rebuckle.  Works every time, and they soon forget the head-high trick:)

Answer 9

First off, make sure the bit isn't hurting him-that could be the reason he doesn't like it-if it's not the right size or something is off, he'll be less than willing to take the bit.

If all is well with the bit, don't force him to take the it-he'll take it a lot easier if you make him feel like he's making the decision.  Put the headstall right between his ears and hold it there, with the bit right up against his teeth.  If he tosses his head, it's okay. Eventually, he'll calm down.  Soon enough, he'll open his mouth to take the bit in, and then you can just slip it in.  It might take some time, but it's worth it after a week or so.

Answer 10

first of all, Azeri definately knows about horses; take that advice! =] but i have one thing to add. after you follow the procedure that Azeri suggested, use a technique that will help you get the bit in his mouth by appealing to his need for activity. horses like routine, but they hate when you do the same thing over and over; they will be likely to just say "okay, fine! lets do something different now!" so what i'm suggesting is just putting the bit in his mouth and removing it, over and over. he may be a little resistant at first, but after a few times, he will easily open his mouth to accept and release the bit. make him bored with it, and he'll do it to get on with something different. do this until he easily opens his mouth the way you want, then move on. this works with bridling, loading a problem loader, picking up feet, and other simple things that horses have resistance to.

ps. before you approach this as a behavioral problem, rule out any dental problems first. it may be just a molar that was knocked loose thats causing him pain.