Grabbing for the bit...and everything else

Crookedblaze · 08-27-2008, 11:04 PM

Since Stormy is afraid of the saddle, I have been doing lots of groundwork with her trying to erase the fear. She is perfectly okay with my surcingle, so I have been long lining her at a walk around my pasture, and ground driving her for exercise. She absolutely loves it, she gets to go out and work a little and then graze.

But, when I go to put the bit by her mouth, she starts grabbing the headstall, reins, side ring of the bit...whatever is closest. As soon as I get the headstall out her little mouth is a going, looking for something. She is really easy to bit up, don't get me wrong, but she is a little overzealous.

I have been putting my bridle on her the traditional English way, hold the top half of the bridle together and put it in, but even then before I can't get the bit even close she's grabbing for the headstall.

Should I discipline her, or should I just be faster at getting the bit in?

PaintsQH · 08-28-2008, 11:38 AM

I dont think you want to try getting the bit in faster. That might cause problems in the longrun with her bumping her teeth on it or grabbing it more.The being afraid of the saddle is because its bigger and im sure it looks different from her perspective. She sees this big thing that flops being put on her back vs the sircingle which is smaller. With the saddle, I would start leaving it on a rail and walk her past it or lift it up and down several times till she gets used to the sight of it. As far as the bridle, start putting in on her with no bit, off and on untill she stops trying to bite at everything. She is mouthy and needs to learn its not a good thing to do that. I would correct her when she bites at it, but you also dont want her to think that its a bad thing when you put it on her or she might get resentfull of it. Use a simple browband headstall, no bit to try teaching her to accept the bridle without fiddleing around with it

pasopony · 08-29-2008, 01:00 PM

She's nervous about the bridle too. Somewhere she's been forced to accept the bit or be reprimanded, so now she's eager to get the bit in to show she's being a good girl. Just hang the bridle next to where you tie her for grooming. Use the whole bridle as an object to sack her out with - rub it all over her body, neck, and face without putting it on. Then just put it away. Once she accepts having her head rubbed with the bridle without trying to put it on herself, then start working towards putting it on. If she grabs it, move away and start rubbing her with it again until she settles. She'll soon learn that you'll put it on without all her help.

A J · 08-29-2008, 07:17 PM

Does she get mouthy when you go to put her halter on her as well?

Some horses are just plain old mouthy and need to learn appropriate behavior, which if she's that type, then I would work on not letting her mouth ANYTHING - no feeding by hand, either. My one mare is that way, very mouthy, so she had to learn to not mouth anything unless it was offered to her.

If it's ONLY with the bridle, then I may try some different methods of bridling to see if that changes anything.

Crookedblaze · 08-29-2008, 11:13 PM

AJ, she is perfect when I put the halter on her.

Pasopony, I'll start trying that.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need a BIT of advice (bit question)	nadia	Training	7	08-03-2008 11:12 AM
Does this bit fit? Whats your fav 1st or training Bit?	annag307	Tack, Apparel and Equipment	49	06-19-2008 02:36 PM
Bit problem?Tell me about this bit.	iris_surreal_euphoria	Tack, Apparel and Equipment	12	01-11-2008 07:36 PM
A Bit Of Bit Education-UPDATE	Rusty's Girl	Tack, Apparel and Equipment	23	12-10-2007 10:46 AM
Bit Question - Triangular Mouth Bit?	sherriawright	Tack, Apparel and Equipment	3	07-15-2007 03:21 PM

08-27-2008, 11:04 PM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,447	Grabbing for the bit...and everything else Since Stormy is afraid of the saddle, I have been doing lots of groundwork with her trying to erase the fear. She is perfectly okay with my surcingle, so I have been long lining her at a walk around my pasture, and ground driving her for exercise. She absolutely loves it, she gets to go out and work a little and then graze. But, when I go to put the bit by her mouth, she starts grabbing the headstall, reins, side ring of the bit...whatever is closest. As soon as I get the headstall out her little mouth is a going, looking for something. She is really easy to bit up, don't get me wrong, but she is a little overzealous. I have been putting my bridle on her the traditional English way, hold the top half of the bridle together and put it in, but even then before I can't get the bit even close she's grabbing for the headstall. Should I discipline her, or should I just be faster at getting the bit in? __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab

08-28-2008, 11:38 AM
PaintsQH Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,442	I dont think you want to try getting the bit in faster. That might cause problems in the longrun with her bumping her teeth on it or grabbing it more.The being afraid of the saddle is because its bigger and im sure it looks different from her perspective. She sees this big thing that flops being put on her back vs the sircingle which is smaller. With the saddle, I would start leaving it on a rail and walk her past it or lift it up and down several times till she gets used to the sight of it. As far as the bridle, start putting in on her with no bit, off and on untill she stops trying to bite at everything. She is mouthy and needs to learn its not a good thing to do that. I would correct her when she bites at it, but you also dont want her to think that its a bad thing when you put it on her or she might get resentfull of it. Use a simple browband headstall, no bit to try teaching her to accept the bridle without fiddleing around with it __________________ My treasures do not clink, they gleam in the sunlight and neigh in the night

08-29-2008, 01:00 PM
pasopony Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 820	She's nervous about the bridle too. Somewhere she's been forced to accept the bit or be reprimanded, so now she's eager to get the bit in to show she's being a good girl. Just hang the bridle next to where you tie her for grooming. Use the whole bridle as an object to sack her out with - rub it all over her body, neck, and face without putting it on. Then just put it away. Once she accepts having her head rubbed with the bridle without trying to put it on herself, then start working towards putting it on. If she grabs it, move away and start rubbing her with it again until she settles. She'll soon learn that you'll put it on without all her help. __________________ Horses are not my whole life, but horses make my life whole.

08-29-2008, 07:17 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,356	Does she get mouthy when you go to put her halter on her as well? Some horses are just plain old mouthy and need to learn appropriate behavior, which if she's that type, then I would work on not letting her mouth ANYTHING - no feeding by hand, either. My one mare is that way, very mouthy, so she had to learn to not mouth anything unless it was offered to her. If it's ONLY with the bridle, then I may try some different methods of bridling to see if that changes anything. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

08-29-2008, 11:13 PM
Crookedblaze Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,447	AJ, she is perfect when I put the halter on her. Pasopony, I'll start trying that. __________________ Owned by Rocketman, a 17 year old AQHA and Stormy, a 10 year old Peruvian Paso x Arab