Bit problem

[Zantetsuken]

My horse..He hasn't been bridle trained (I dont think i doubt it Lol)and what not..But when the bridle is on..He moves his tongue alot around the bit and he seems to chew on it a little..Anyway way I can stop that? Thanks -James

[Jay.o]

If he hasnt been bitted/bridled befroe then this is totally normal. I believe most horses would do this when the bit is in their mouth for the frist few times. Give it a couple of weeks of the same routine, and he'll be easy to bridle and wont mouth on the bit.

[Zantetsuken]

Thanksss

[S_F_S]

I'd look at it as more of a positive thing than a negative one- at least he is accepting the bit and causing himself to salivate- if you lookat 'breaking bits' intended for when you first bit a horse; they have 'keys' on them to encourage the horse to mouth the bit. It will prevent him from having a hard insensitive mouth and so *in an ideal situation* make him a pleasant responsive ride: of course there are numerous other factors affecting this!!
So- please don't try to stop it!
Good luck!

[Shiny McShine]

I would encourage you to sort out this training matter before you do anything else with him involving a bit or bridle. What I would suggest (and this is only my own personal view) is that you adjust the bridle a touch lower than you normally would and let your horse have a play with the bit in his mouth while you are supervising him in the stable/yard etc. When he will gently chew on the bit with mouth closed and looks relaxed then it is as good idea to take the bridle off as a reward.

This encourages your horse to accept the bit quitely and avoids vices. If you do the bridle up too tight or don't give him time to sort out his mouth then you may get vices such as putting the tongue over the bit or excessive open-mouthed chewing. Each time you put on the bridle it is a good idea to practice this until your horse consistantly accepts the bridle when it is first put on.

[tbone]

I probalay have the weirdist anwser so far (as i'm weird) but is his bit copper? Many horses perfer a copper bit, T-Bone used to constantly do that to his bit no matter what we did then we bought him a copper bit and he loves it! Lol also you may want to try him bitless and see what he is like!