Hi! I have a 13yr old tb x cob (possibly with some pacer thrown in there) mare who is becoming increasingly difficult to bridle. She’s had a tricky past, but definitely trusts me and has come on leaps and bounds in other areas. She can be pushy and bolshy, both with people and other horses. For months now I’ve been trying to bridle her. We’ve tried teaching self bridling, desensitisation to the bridle, using treats, not using treats, covering the bit in molasses or honey. I feel like I’ve tried everything. She will lick the bit, but as soon as you try to put it in even a tiny bit her teeth clamp and she throws her head. I’ve taught her to put her head down on command and relax it, but she will still throw it. I’ve taught her to open her mouth on command, which she will do fine but as soon as you introduce the bit she will clamp it shut. She’s in rubber snaffle, and on the odd occasion I’ve got it in she’s been fine once the bridle is on. She’s been cleared by vets, and has been described by other professionals as evasive and pushy. Her last owner admitted she was scared of her so would just leave her to her own devices if she didn’t do as she was told, which is obviously not helpful. At the minute I’ve been teaching her that when she throws her head, the bridle or my hand stays with her until she relaxes, then it goes away. Does anyone have any ideas?
You've tried a lot of different approachs and that maybe some of the problem - there's no consistency. And it sounds like a lot of th time she's ended up "winning" because the bridle hasn't gone on.
When you say "cleared by the vet" what do you mean?
Without seeing her I'm reluctant to say what to do, but I suspect if she was mine I'd put a bit on a sliphead and set aside as much time as was needed to calmly get it on her. No tricks or anything, just quietly persisting until it was on, thn giv her a lot of praise and take it back off. Repeat and repeat and repeat doing it exactly the same way every time.
However if you feel you've reached a point where you can't do it then maybe get in someone who works with problem behaviour and will also teach you how to. My preference would be Michael Peace, but there are plenty out there.
When you say "cleared by the vet" what do you mean?
Without seeing her I'm reluctant to say what to do, but I suspect if she was mine I'd put a bit on a sliphead and set aside as much time as was needed to calmly get it on her. No tricks or anything, just quietly persisting until it was on, thn giv her a lot of praise and take it back off. Repeat and repeat and repeat doing it exactly the same way every time.
However if you feel you've reached a point where you can't do it then maybe get in someone who works with problem behaviour and will also teach you how to. My preference would be Michael Peace, but there are plenty out there.
Thank you, that is true, I’ll try one technique for a few weeks and it seems to work for a little bit, but then she’ll stop cooperating which is when I find myself moving on to different methods. I mean she’s had her teeth done and had her poll and neck/head assessed, where there were no problems. A slip head seems like a good idea, I have given up with the tricks /treats as she figures it out very quickly and it feels more like bribery than a genuine want to cooperate with me. And thanks for the recommendation! She’s definitely a complex mare, I’ve also been debating getting a physio out just to double check there’s nothing underlying going on as she does have a very sensitive head, she’ll often try to rub off any head collars/bitless bridles that have been fitted correctly
I learned from Mark Rashiud. Towards the end of her workng life, my old share mare was in a hanging cheek bit. I rode her solo on a very long loose rein and found that the rein could get caught in the bit if she put down her head to eat. I sometimes allowed this if I stopped to chat to other riders.
Rashid recommended the Rocking S Snaffle and I was about to buy her one but she was then taken off work and fully retired so I never actually tried one.
Rashid is in the USA but if you google these bits, there are suppliers in the UK.
Rashid recommended the Rocking S Snaffle and I was about to buy her one but she was then taken off work and fully retired so I never actually tried one.
Rashid is in the USA but if you google these bits, there are suppliers in the UK.
I would change to a schooling bridle with clip sides. Put the bridle on without the bit even being on. I suspect at some stage someone has accidentally caught her in the mouth putting on or taking off.
Then you can introduce it gradually from the side.
Another thought is to get in touch with the bit bank as it could be the bit that is being used isn't the right fit.
Then you can introduce it gradually from the side.
Another thought is to get in touch with the bit bank as it could be the bit that is being used isn't the right fit.
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