At 19:48:16 on 12.01.10, Terrasena wrote:
I have a wonderful horse but she wont take the bit no matter what i do i need help can any one tell me how to retrain her to take the bit?

At 21:29:26 on 12.01.10, Erika wrote:
Hiya, Terrasena, I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble getting your mare to take her bit. You didn't say how old she is - if she is a youngster she might not be used to it. However, if she isn't a youngster she may have either had an awkward experience in the past or have had an very badly fitted bridle in which her bit has pinched her. Have you had her teeth checked recently? If you haven't I'd get an equine dentist to check her. Then I'd make sure that bit fits her mouth properly, if it's too big it will cause her discomfort & if its too small it'll pinch & possibly cut her. As you probably know when the bridle is fitted properly you should see wrinkles at the corners of her mouth. When I was breaking my mare in, she hated having her bit put in but after time & patience she now takes the bit first time. I used to have to take cheek peices off & coakes the bit in, at the beginning I used to give her a treat so she'd open her mouth easily. Then repeat the process & rewarding her afterwards. Success doesn't happen overnight but this method worked for me - but other members will be able to give you other advice & tipsthat maybe better. Good luck Erika

At 04:59:41 on 14.01.10, Terrasena wrote:
Hey Erika thanks for the advice she is 6 years old and has been trained then let sit for 2 years, i feel that she had a bad experience with the bit and judging on how the owner that i got her from she just doesn't want anything to do with it i have tried treats and even putting the bridle over her ears and getting her used to the bit under her chin also we tried molasses on the bit and nothing, she had her teeth done just before i got her and i have had them checked, but i had a break through yesterday she took the bit after 3 mins of just letting the bit sit by her mouth. I am a proud mom but now as i look at the bit that was given to me i fear it is way too small for her mouth and am afraid to use it for her getting hurt and not trusting me. what kind of bit should i use on her, i think she has a soft mouth too. Thanks again. Terrasena

At 11:53:26 on 15.01.10, pollydoodle wrote:
Hi Sometimes the metal bits are cold - especially in this weather..brr... imagine putting it in your mouth! Also, if it is a snaffle, it may have pinched her at some point - horses have long memories. Have you tried a warmer metal or even rubber or a happy mouth? A french link can be kinder in the mouth or a straight? You say teeth seem ok, and if you try everything else - obvious, it may just take a bit of time and perserverence. She may be 'having you on'. Keep an eye on her expressions too - are her ears back when you try, does she pull away, head in air etc... Keep trying and be confident, rather than agressive. She will trust you more if you are calm yet firm. Best of luck. Pollydoodle

At 12:23:01 on 15.01.10, YasandCrystal wrote:
Hi Terrasena, you are right to be in fear if you think the bit is the wrong size - you need to measure her mouth and allow a little to ensure the bit will sit comfortably. Every horse is different with their bit preferences and you can look to see if she has a fleshy tongue and therefore not much room for a thick bit, which are generally considered linder. Personally I love Myler bits - I ride my mare in a myler hanging cheek snaffle and the bit is quite fine, but the joint mechanism means each side works independantly and there is no chance of oinching the toungue as with a normal snaffle.

At 12:27:07 on 15.01.10, YasandCrystal wrote:
this shows the gentle myler action. It's just my preference. There are so many different types of bit available in different materials today. Any bit can be cruel in the wrong hands!!! Worth checking teeth again though - I had my mare's teeth checked twice and the dentist found nothing adverse but she clearly showed signs of discomfort in her head carriage even unridden and my equine touch lady insisted there was something wrong and recommended another dentist and oh yes there was - a long sharp point at the back of her lower molar set which meant as soon as she lowered her head it cut into her gum!! Hope this helps!

At 21:52:00 on 15.01.10, wrote:
Hiya, Terrasena I am so pleased that you've had a breakthrough. Your mare is the same age as mine & was broken in 2 years ago too. When I had problems I went back to basics & used a mouthing bit (the type that has keys on it) so then she'd play with it. But when she was been abit awkward riding I got the dentist to check her & she had a wolf tooth which he removed. She wouldn't accept the bit at first after she'd been rested as per the dentist's advice so I perserved & when she eventually took the bit I would take it out & repeat the process. I know other people have mentioned different bits to use & types of materials but every horse is individual & what may be ok with one does necessarily mean it will be for another. My mare started with a rubber snaffle but she chews on them I have also tried a Myler in both my horses because they are supposed to be better shaped for the horse's mouth but mine hated them. I only use a vulcanite bit or happy mouth snaffle in mine or if I'm showing a stainless steel snaffle. As some one said a french link is another popular choice but at the end of the day you're the one who knows your horse best. Personally I'd go to a good saddler & discuss the situation with them becuase they should let you try different types of bits & assist you until you find the right bit that your mare is comfortable with. I hope I make sense!!! Erika

At 22:04:32 on 15.01.10, beki dyson wrote:
hi ive been training younsters for years so hav had this prob quite a few times try puttig treacle on the bit it wrks ! also i hav riden everything frm youngsters to tbs and ex eventers and hav all gone very well in a myler low port comfort snaffle they r exspensive but if u phone myler bit bank u can hire one also they will tell witch one wld b best 4 yr horse i found them very truthfull and very helpfull and wldnt hav any other bits i hope this helps u and good luck frm beki x

At 22:10:13 on 15.01.10, beki dyson wrote:
i just read about the woman that tried the myler bit and if u phone myler bit bank they will tell u the bit has 2 b in 4 15 mins b4 the 1st time u ride in it as the horse has 2 get used 2 it frm beki x

At 11:14:31 on 31.01.10, bronze1983 wrote:
Here is my 2 bobs worth, if a horse refuses the bit its always for a very good reason, it may be because the horse was mistreated by a past owner, their teeth are causing problems, wrong bit size (too big or too small), doesn't taste good (believe it or not they can be fussy), the rider/handlers hasn't asked for the horses permission (your technique needs refining) or that the bridle is the problem and places unnatural pressure on the horses head. I know that from personal experience, all of the horses I have ever ridden over 30+ years, not one of them has ever refused the bit, sometimes it means a little bit of molasses smeared onto the bit then politely offered to the horse, a change in bit, I would go for a very soft double jointed bit that has the copper rollers or something similar that causes the horse to salivate more. Failing that, I would go for a bitless bridle, but be warned there are 2 varieties that I know of, the first one is the one that places pressure on the top of the head, some horses don't like that kind of pressure, so go for the other kind that places pressure on the horses head where the cavasson noseband normally sits. If you do decide to go with the bitless bridle you will need to re train your horse to accept it, learn to turn and stop and adjust to the pressure in a safe environment like a round yard or similar. Hope it helps just a bit.