bits

[Shelby Williams]

My horse won't let me put his bit in!!! He'll turn and lift his head and clinch his teeth. My dad is the only one that can put his bit in. This summer if I don't ride my horse my parents said they'll get rid of him. How can I get him to let me put his bit in??

[Gracie]

There are a few tricky ways to get your horse to accept the bit....
One would be to slip your thumb in the corner of your horses mouth holding your other hand firmly underneath the bit. Move your thumb around and hopefully the horse will open up. If your really desprite you can put some mollases(probably spelled wrong..sorry!) on the bit and that should open his mouth up! I don't really reccomend the treat thing inless your really in need! Good luck!

[Showjumper]

My old fella wouldn't accept the bit unless you warmed it in your hands first - I mean, would YOU like colm metal shoved in your mouth?

There are mint flavoured sprays on the market which you spray over bits and they tempt horses into taking them.

Firstly make sure your horse's mouth isn't hurting him as this could cause him to dislike taking the bit. Get his teeth checked by a vet, and he'll tell you if they need rasping or other treatment.

[Graymalkin]

Try checking his teeth, checking the bit is okay and has no sharp edges and beware of rattling it on his teeth, which he may be objecting to. Smearing the bit with honey or peanut butter works quite well if it's just a behavioural thing. Failing that, how about a hackamore to completely sidestep the problem?!

[Silvia]

He might be over sensitive to having his ears touched. Does he do the same when you put the halter on?

[Carly]

I have been having the same problem with my horse and i have now decided that he does not like the cold stainless steele bit so i am changing to a vulcanite rubber bit instead,get your horses teeth checked,if you have done already then consider getting a different dentist out to give you a second oppinion,just to be absolutely sure.