Sweet Tasting Bit

[Maci]

Q: What can you put on the bit, to make it sweet tasting for the horse? Applesauce, cinnamon, pizza grease (;) )...??

Thanks!
Maci :)

[floppy]

there is this paste you can buy that tastes of caramel that you can use to help train a young horse to accept having a bit in its mouth.

[JumperGirl]

Ive heard of dipping the bit in applesauce so they will like the taste.

[ros]

Treacle. But why?

[Liz M]

I know someone who uses honey, the horse takes the bit much more easily.

[katyptaty]

I've used honey before when i was working on acceptance of the bit as he had a tendancy to see it as something to be snatched and held. I found that honey changed his mind-set about this and encouraged him to mouth and have a wet mouth. This was then taken away after a short while. He did love it though.

have a wet cloth close for wiping your hands as it gets EVERYWHERE!!!

[Maci]

Thanks everyone! I was just wondering, that's all! I heard that if you dip your bit in something sweet tasting, it encourages the horse to salivate more, and to accept (go on the bit) easier...whether or not it's true, I don't know, but I might try this "experiment" on Mac, just for something to do and to see if it works!

If I Ever Try, I'll Let You Know The Results!
Maci :)

[katie_did]

If you do not want to put anything on the bit, you should try one with a copper mouth piece. The horse's saliva will oxidize the copper, and encourage the horse to mouth the bit and accept it better.