getting on the bridle!

[sazzle10]

Whenever I put the bridle on my horse it always takes two people, he lifts up his head so that i cannot do it by myself, can anyone help me in any tips or training cheyanne to not kick up a fuss?
thanks alot,
Sazzler!!!!!!

[lamprellsarah]

get his teeth checked and make sure his bit is the right height and comfortable!!

if there is still a problem stand on something!!!
practise, get your horse to relax, soemthimes put the bridle on just to do nice things like leading him to grass,

[virtuallyhorses]

Checking for pain or a physical reason for protest is always a good place to start.

Two more suggestions -

1. teach him 'head down' not only is it very useful for all sort of tasks - grooming, bridling, etc but horses naturally calm down when their heads are low. Head down can be taught through finger pressure, halter pressure or bridle (bit) pressure. The trick is always to ask with the voice first, then the pressue and ALWAYS release the pressure as soon as he makes the slightest movement downwards (even a tiny movement is a start). I started with a halter since finger pressure behhind the ears requires that you are tall enough to stay there when he raises his head.
Don't expect it to come straight away, but be calm, gentle and persistent and you'll be able to ask your horse to drop his head anywhere, anytime before too long :)

2nd - try some honey on the bit. Give him a lick of honey first, then introduce the honey on the bit. Before long, you'll be able to hold the bridle in front of your horse and he'll put in on for you ;)

I'd always try to make a task pleasant rather than fighting over somethng - even if it means a little sweet bribery :)

[FreedomStar]

try coating the bit with something 'appetizing' like honey, molasses, etc.

[galadriel]

I have a horse who *hated* bridling; I got her a Happy Mouth and she now drops her head for the bit. Duchess just hates having something in her mouth; she also fought the bit and was a chronic headshaker. She is now utterly relaxed under saddle (I ride her xc on a long rein).

I'd advise finding what part of the bridling process your horse hates--is it the bit? does the bridle need adjusting or replacing? is it just opening his mouth? (the honey thing works great here) Once you figure out just WHAT he objects to, you'll know what to fix :)

[clipclop]

In a word. Bribery.

I used polos.

My horse loves to have her bridle on now.
Never used to though she also used to put her head up out of the way.