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My horse WON'T take a bit, any suggestions?
sorry this might be a little long!
Ok so ive got a horse that will NOT take a bit, and i need suggestions on how i can make him take it without inflicting any pain, stress, etc. on him.
here's a little info bout him and my attempts:
he is an 8 year old sorrel paso fino quarter horse mix (he is a gelding)
i ride western and i use a egg butt bit, and i have a one ear piece headstall.
he has always had a kinda short temper.
he has never had a bit that put pain on his mouth.
he is used to me riding him at times. i don't ride him as often as i like because he has bucked me off, and school and stuff like that :\
I don't always lunge him before i ride him. i have also go so frustrated i just put the reins on his halter and rode him around.
we normally have to tie him close to a tree or post and i have to grab his nose and put my hand under his chin and squeeze his mouth on the spot where there are no teeth,which makes him open his mouth. (it takes me AND my dad to do it and it takes AT LEAST 15 minutes to get it in his mouth) and IF & WHEN we get it in his mouth he is always very nervous afterwards. sometimes i get so frustrated i pop him, which doesn't always help. (i don't hit him hard i just give him a little pop to get his attention)
when we attempt to put the bit in, he always moves around, jerks his head up and down & side to side. he tries to rear sometimes, he paws the ground, and tries to paw us. we got his teeth filed down a couple of months to take away the excuse.
we have tried putting molasses on the bit like the vet suggested, but he STILL wont take it, and its very messy afterwards.
just on the side, i cant change head stalls or bits, plus when he is in the mood he will try me, and act up, and like i said before he has always had a kinda short temper.
like on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the shortest temperment, and 10 being the longest temperment, my horse would probably be a 4.
i hope this was enough information, and any answer will be appreciated!!! thanks!!! :)
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From what I can tell your horse feels threatened by you trying to get the bit in his mouth and using it. You're going to need to spend a lot of time if you want this to be completely fixed. I'd start out with just holding the bridle and sitting down where he can see you and the bridle. Get him used to seeing it and being around it. Try shaking it and making some noise so he isn't scared of that either. After he doesn't react whatsoever to having the bridle near him, you start the next step. Slowly and carefully you want to get closer to him and rub the bridle all over his body so he knows it won't hurt him. start at his shoulder and move your way backwards from there. I know this sounds stupid and pointless, but I can guarantee that it will work if you do it correctly. Make sure you are gentle and very patient, otherwise it won't help. Once he is used to that, you ca start putting JUST this bit around his face. Detach the bit from the bridle and hold it near his mouth, let him sniff it and get used to it on his own time. Once he has passed all of these steps, you can get him used to opening his mouth for the bit. Put the bit back on the bridle and Hold the bit in his mouth for a couple seconds at a time, and increase the time it's in his mouth each time you do it. Also, don't tighten any straps or put on the bridle completely, ONLY hold the bit in his mouth. one you've gotten to the point where he doesn't react once the bit is in his mouth, you can put on the bridle all the way and make sure nothing is too tight or uncomfortable. If he seems ok with this, you can lead him around at the walk. If you think he's ready you can try to trot as well (on the ground). If this helps and you feel like it would be safe, try to get on his very slowly and have someone lead him at first, then you can try directing him yourself. Make sure you give him a long rein so he doesn't feel trapped or in danger. This won't happen overnight, but if you do it right it will work.
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OK looks like your horse is a bit nervous as you said. try stroking him when you try to get him to walk wisber soothing words to him. maybe promise a treat afterwards most horses can under stand some words in human and " you'll get (what ever treat) later" is one of them try rubbing him behind the ears that helps too.
( PS i have barley any experiences with horses but my best friend has one. and i read a lot of books on life in the early America. when horses was only way around.:))
hope i helped some!
your friend sweetgirl12free
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I believe the problem is that you are frustrated with your horse not taking the bit and by being frustrated.. he recognizes this which makes him feel the same way. Forcing a horse to do something you want will never make him agreeable, it'll just piss him off more. You have to do it at His Pace. If he jerks his head he is either 1. Frustrated or 2. Having Pain in his mouth. You said you got his teeth filed down and tried molasses so I feel the problem is not that - you're just trying too fast with him. Take your time and make him feel comfortable before even trying to 'shove' a bit in his mouth. Any horse can take a bit agreeably, you just have to know how to do it properly.
I looked online and found this site so you can read about this in detail if you like: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location) Check it out and hopefully you can figure out the solution. Good luck (:
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