Ways to get my horse to take the bit easier?

Question

my horse is so hard to bit, he was a trail horse and supposedly bridled very easy but im stumped help plz

Answer 1

First of all you need to force him you are the boss not him. But if you simply want a way of making things easy for you This works very well!!!

http://www.horseloverz.com/NEW!!-LICKITY...

Answer 2

Horses like peppermint, try giving the bit to him with a small piece of peppermint.  He will open his mouth for the peppermint, and also get the bit at the same time.  Reduce the size of the peppermint each time, and then just melt some peppermint in some water and rub it on the bit and he should still take it.

Best of luck

Answer 3

i know you said "without sticking my fingers in his mouth"  but the only way I know how to get them to open up is to rub my finger on the gums  in between the front set of teeth and back, that tickles them so much that they open right up

Answer 4

well the thing i find most helpful is sticking my thumb in the corner of the mouth

the horse has no teeth there, so you wont get bitten

just be ready to put the bit in when he opens his mouth

(it might take more than one person the first time)

i know you dont want to do this, but its what i find most helpful.

Answer 5

As a trail horse he may have had riders who were not very experienced in their actual riding methods. They may have been harsh with the reins and bit while they were riding, so he may have become evasive to the whole thing. You might also consider what bit you are using. If you are not trail riding, see if he can ride in a snaffle bit if you are in a confined area. If you are using a more gentle bit, he may respond to you, but be certain you will not have him running off, with you.

Putting your finger in the very corner of his mouth should not be too much of a problem. It is just a short bit of time and you don't need to put it in, too far. This just gets the mouth open. The peppermint or molasses idea sounds good, too.

Then, once you have the bridle on him, make sure you have the correct amount of wrinkles, and that it is not too tight or too loose and bumping on his teeth. Make sure you are using light hands while you are riding, so that you don't irritate his mouth, and let him begin to see that you won't abuse him in that way. Get him to trust you and see if that helps in your ride. Also, horses love to be taught tricks. This makes a great bond between horse and rider. If you can get a book or two on that, you might find your horse looking forward to your visits, as well as rides.

Answer 6

One thing you definitley want to check is that the bit fits him. If it does than also make sure it is in the right way, and not backwards. I had a friend that had problems with her horse taking the bit, it turned out it was backwards, causing pain for the mare. After having it in the right way just once, she took it just fine every other time!

Answer 7

Oh My God! My horse had the same problem! I got him a flavor bit, and now he takes it fine! Look for them around.....You could also try and feel for the space in their mouth where it will open its mouth for the bit.

Answer 8

I have tried molasses just a little on the bit make it taste good!  worked for me several times with different horses!

Good Luck!

Answer 9

Trust me this always works. Soak the bit in say.. apple juice or something sweet for him/her a good treat before you give it to him. Then, If he doesn't except it (which I'm sure he will) gentally, pinch the side of his mouth.

Answer 10

firsly make sure it fits him ok. a small bit will hurt and you cant blame him for not taking it. listen to your horse...he may be trying to tell you somthing.

once you are sure the bit fits him fine. get on to him accepting the bit. leave the bit on a shelf in his stall or near him. then touch his neck with the bit..whilste GENTLY insiting that he stands still. do this for a couple of days then work with the bit around his head before finallt asking him to take it in his mouth. you could hold it with a carrot for the first few times so he has something plesent with the bit.

when you ride make sure you dont jab him in the mouth as you may be back to square one

Dont FORCE him into anything...he will become more difficult and by not taking the bit he could be trying to tell you that his teeth hurt or the bit is too small

Answer 11

Don't despair. First I would call the stable he was prior and ask them what bit they used and was there a unique way they bitted this horse.

  If there isn't anything helpful from that call I may suggest that you are just not aggressive enough. You shouldn't have to force the bit into his mouth but you do have to be somewhat aggressive with some horses. You may have to do what most people do and that is to put your thumb in the space behind the front teeth. There is plenty of room there and you can't get bitten if placed properly. Get a person with more experience than you and ask them to place the bit in. If they don't have a problem then the situation may rest with you being afraid to put your finger into his mouth.

  I would be very careful coating the bit with anything because if he thinks it's a treat he may bite on the bit too hard and break a tooth.

  Again don't worry about this situation, you'll get it in time with the assistance from a patient horse person.

Answer 12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdrJUCpXi...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXSp76hq...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlAhbzt9u...

HOPE THESE HELP!!!!!