Changing from hackmore to bit

[Sparkie]

We are currently trying to persuade a mare at our yard to accept being ridden in a bit again, after 3 or so years in an English hackamore. Before this, she was ridden in a 3 ring Dutch gag with a martingale, but was put in a hackamore due to sharp teeth, and we never swapped back.

Recently, myself and my friend Chris have been trying to get her back in a bit. We are using a full cheek fulmer snaffle at the moment. We began by putting it in her mouth in the stable for a few minutes, then lunging her in it and then riding her.

I have a few questions though:

1) Do you think we are going too quickly? Its taken a week to get this far, and she doesn't seem to have any problems.
2) How soon should we try a flash noseband to shut her mouth, as she's opening it to evade the bit? Should we see if she gets used to it, or try one straight away?

She is a 15hh TB x New Forest mare. Sorry about the length of the thread!!:)

[Bay Mare]

In answer to 1) if she's fine then you're probably going at the right pace. Don't forget, however, that horses tend to be incredibly generous in the main so even though she seems fine be aware that she may be tolerating things at the moment. Don't push her too much, maybe even plateau her at the point that you're at for a while to make sure that she's comfortable and happy in a bit. Just keep doing what you're doing without try to push things any further. If you listen to her you'll know when she's ready to move on again :)

In answer to 2) I would say never. Strapping a horse's mouth down is never going to solve your problems and can even make them worse especially in a horse that has had bitting issues in the past. Using a flash doesn't remove the problem, it merely attempts to mask it.

Going back now to 1) having read 2) ... if she's still evading the bit then slow down because she's telling you that she's still not comfortable. You could even go back to using a soft rope to get her used to something in her mouth that's completely different to a bit and isn't hard and cold.

Having been through something like this myself I think that the best way of reintroducing the actual bit (after working with a rope etc) is to put it in but don't attach reins and don't bring it into use. Maybe ride off a Dually/headcollar or similar but have the bridle/bit just 'there', passive. That way the horse is learning that she can have a bit in and not be uncomfortable. Even the best riders have the potential to jab a horse in the mouth if they do something unexpected.

The other thing to consider is if the bit is right for her mouth. Have a look at her mouth and see if there's enough room for the bit, can it dig in or rub anywhere? Is it sitting correctly without pinching? I tried a whole host of bits with Saffy (all very mild) and finally found that she likes the Sprenger KK Ultra and WH better than anything else that I've tried. Of course she would choose the expensive ones ... like mother, like neddifer :rolleyes:

[No_Angel]

just wondering, if shes fine in a hackamore why are you bitting her?:)

[Sparkie]

No Angel: She is very strong in a hackamore and tends to pull you out the saddle, and she just didn't seem comfortable in one really, so we decided to try a bit.

Bay Mare: She seemed okay with the pressure and didn't try to evade the bit until we put someone on her. We've used side reins to lunge with, and rode in a very light contact.

I'm going to lunge her again tomorrow instead of her being ridden, and possibly try the Myler bit we have instead of the Fulmer.

[Pink's lady]

Have you tried her in a french link? some (many) horses prefere them to single jointed snaffles.

Like Bay Mare said RE flash - never - you're just masking the problem, not solving it. Eventually you will end up with a horse who's resenting the bit again if you clamp her mouth shut onto something she's not happy with.

How about clicker trainer her? have someone riding and someone on the ground - everytime the rider takes up a contact, click and reward. She'll soon get the idea that.

[Santi]

My trotter was started under saddle with a bitless but we had problems cornering and he began to evade it (smart boy) and he hated the poll pressure.
Definately agree with trying a french link as it doesn't bang the roof of the mouth. My horse thought the snaffle (single link) was awful, he only wore it for ten minutes but was so upset (he didn't show it at the time) i couldn't tack him up next time.
I tried a copper ball french link (supposed to be very gentle) but he didn't like that either (he showed it by being totally behind the bit and opening his mouth) but is fine in the Sprenger KK ultra (you can get them on Ebay a bit cheaper) he has calmed down and accepts a contact now.
I thought the same thing - typical, he likes the expensive one! normally i don't go for expensive 'brand name' stuff but i think their bits are very good.
:)