Youngstock-introducing to bit

[ponynut]

When should a horse be mouthed?
For safety next year I would like to show my strong filly who will be 14'2 by then in a nylon snaffle. Or should I use a halter? Though would have less control.
If so when should I introduce it? She has had a bit in her mouth several times as I hold it in her mouth. She plays with it quite happily.

[RingLass]

How old is your filly ? 2 years old is generally the first age you start to work them in saddle and bridle. Something that I found works well is to put a bridle on the horse (without reins and caveson) when you turn her out to play or lunge her (she *is* in a stable, right ?). Use a very gentle smooth snaffle or other soft bit of your choice. This will get her used to having a bit in her mouth. If you plan to show her in one of the various English in-hand classes, you cannot use a halter (to my knowledge, at least.)

[Catherine]

I showed my colt in a bit right from the start, i.e. from about 11 months old. It was one of those straight black nylon snaffles with little brass rings, on a leather in-hand bridle. You can get them from Robinsons for about £5-6.

I did as you've done and let him play with it in his mouth, but initially not attaching it to anything. He loved chewing things, so to be offered something was a real treat instead of the usual firm "No, leave it" that he was always hearing!

Then I fitted him with his bridle, leaving one ring of the bit not attached, so it was hanging off the off-side of his face. I put the bridle on gently - he was already very used to the headcollar being faffed about with - and then swung the bit up into his mouth and roughly into place, buckled on reasonably loosely but not clattering round his incisors. Then, I put the headcollar over the top and led him around like that, from the headcollar, for a bit every day till he stopped bothering with the bit and bridle and spent more time looking at the scenery. I lifted the bit into the right place after two or three days. The walking round is an excellent way of getting them used to being close to you and stopping and starting when asked. This is also the time when you can practise getting them to stand square (as they would in a line-up) or stand framed, as they would for the judge's individual inspection.

As a yearling, I led him with a leather rein attached to his noseband. By two years old, he was getting quite frisky near girls, so I used a three-way fitting that buckled to the noseband and both ring bits leaving a central ring to attach the lead-rein to. At three years old, we had to move on to being attached the bit rings of an ordinary jointed eggbutt snaffle, as he really knew what his tackle was for by then, and needed a lot of holding!

I'm sorry to disagree with RingLass, but I would never ever contemplate putting any horse out to play in a bridle, least of all a baby, who could so very easily strike out with a front leg at the funny thing on his/her head and get caught, potentially doing some very serious damage. I've seen three really horrific accidents happen, simply because of headcollars left on in the field. A friend's horse had to be destroyed after getting caught on a five-bar gate by her bridle when left tied up in the yard for a few minutes whilst my friend went to find a forgotten pair of gloves. Please, it's just not worth the risk.

Sorry if I've gone on a bit, but this latter part is a particular bug-bear of mine.

Hope you have a lovely showing season. I'm just about to start getting my 7 month old filly used to the idea of showing off next to me in walk and trot - my first venture into coloured classes, having always shown in hunter and competition horse classes before. Never too old to learn a new trick! :D

[RingLass]

Well, of course, don't leave it unattended. Watch it while it plays, and be ready to provide aid. Also (this shold be a given), never do this with anything put leather -- nylon and rope won't break in an emergency. I, too, know people who's beloved animals have had to be destroyed because they got their halters stuck on things and injured themselves, but it's always been a nylon halter. (Of course, if there are lots of things the foal could get it's head in the area, it isn't suitable for play anyway.) Finally, make sure it fits properly, without straps flapping in the wind or creating large, dangerous loops. Keep these things in mind and, I'm sorry to disagree Catherine, but it should be perfectly safe to use this method. It's the same method for mouthing that's been used for everyone one of the dozens of foals that have passed through the barn I go to. Best of luck in all your coming shows with your little darling :)

[Shiny McShine]

Mouthing starts the day you put your fingers into a foals mouth when you are handling him, it is simply the practice of getting a horse used to having something in its mouth. Small foals may not be able to carry a heavy bridle on their head but you can acheive a simialar feeling to having a bit in the horses mouth by putting a soft rope through the mouth for short periods of time.

As for the horse actually wearing a bridle I agree with what Catherine has suggested. It is a very good practice to not tighten the bridle too much when your horse is first wearing it as this encourages them to hold it in the position they feel most comfortable. You will notice the horse at first chews on the bit. When he stops chewing and holds it you can take it off.

Teaching them to hold the bit themselves at first (later you will of course tighten it) helps to prevent problems like the tongue being put over the bit which are the horses way of saying his mouth is uncomfortable.

[Lgd]

I'm not keen on the little nylon bits having had a filly who learnt to turn it round and round in her mouth so that she twisted the cheekpieces and effectively pulled the bit up tighter and tighter. I showed my own mare as a 2 year old in-hand for her then owner. She wore a small ringed eggbutt snaffle (the type used as the bridoon snaffle bit in a double bridle) and was always happy in that. She now wears a JP jointed eggbutt snaffle which has a heavy mullen to it which reduces the nutcracker action of the jointed snaffle. She has worn this type of bit for 8 years and is competing in higher level dressage in it. I now use these bits for showing youngstock and have yet to find one that will not accept them.

[larri]

I bitted Saf at about 2 yrs, again just to get her used to the feel in her mouth. I use a straight bar rubber snaffle with eggbutt cheeks. Very mild and doesn't pinch the corners of her mouth. I prefer to keep the bit low in the mouth - just held at the corners - no lip wrinkling.
If Kizzy is already used to the feel in her mouth you shouldn't have any problems. For the putting on of the bridle I practised by rubbing the lead rope over her poll, lifting it over her ears and always asking her to put her head down when I did, very handy as they get bigger.
:D

[Lancashire Lass]

If I didn't know any better I'd say you'd been watching me all the time we've done our youngster, Yes, in pretty much EXACTLY THE SAME WAY!!!!!

I agree with Catherine's comment and can I just add that CONTROL is one of the most important aspects of showing, especially in-hand as you're so much more 'at risk' yourself, being on the ground. I have seen one or two folk over the years having the most awful time with their entries, especially the two and three year old classes, who always think they know better than Mum/Dad! - then you look at what they've got them in (bridle-wise) and it's no wonder they're not respected as No 1!! Please be prepared for that 'extra exuberance and excitment that meets with most horses and riders at large shows...apart from the obvious danger to you and your horse, it's also dangerous for everyone else around you also.

And on the subject of headcollars or indeed anything left on in the field for unsupervised periods,...I too have been privvy to accidents in the fields with Headcollars being left on and they're not a nice sight to see believe you me...together with the Vets bills that follow on as well..

JanX

[ponynut]

Have read all the replies with great interest!
I agree safety is paramount with youngstock so know that biting at this age OK now. Kizzy will be 16hh+ so not at all dainty!
I must confess Kizzy has had my fingers in her mouth since she was a month old. She has also had her mothers bit in her mouth! She was standing there and it just went in. No probs but it wasn't edible! Picked out her feet today AND SHE PICKED THEM UP FER ME!!! Not bad for less than 6 months!
Tried my ponies nylon in-hand snaffle today not a problem! It was a perfect fit! So have in-hand bridle oiled and ready! Roll on show season!!!