Training Tips

QUESTION: Sylvia, I really have enjoyed your DVDs and they have helped me so much with my two horses. I have gotten back into horses after many years away and my confidence level had greatly diminished. I have a very stubborn nine-year-old quarter horse and he recently hates taking the bit. He sees the bridle come out and he backs up. He clamps his teeth completely shut and turns his head. Sometimes he will cooperate after about 15 minutes and let me bridle him, or he will just get more angry and rear or try to pull down whatever he is tied to. This behavior makes me very nervous and I don't want him to win or he will think it is a good way not to be ridden. The bit is a D-ring snaffle bit and the same one that has always been used on him and it is on the bridle correctly. He doesn't seem to have any tooth problems but I do plan on having his teeth floated in the Spring. Any suggestions? Thank you.

REPLY: First, I would definitely have an equine vet dentist do a complete examination on your horse as soon as possible (and have the teeth floated before you proceed further). Since this problem is new, and he took the bit before without problems, it's most likely a mouth pain/tooth issue problem that I would recommend you have checked out right away, before proceeding any further with reintroducing the bit. I just have a feeling this is a pain issue and you do not want to be putting a bit in the mouth of a horse with mouth pain issues. So get that checked out/ruled out first. We always want to rule out physical issues first before assuming something is a behavioral issue.

Once that is checked out thoroughly, reintroduce the bit using the procedure I go over on this link on my web site: http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/TrainingTips5.html

Also, if it's cold out, make sure you warm up the bit with warm water, or in your hand, before proceeding with that exercise you read there, as a cold bit can be very uncomfortable for horses to take into their mouths. In addition, don't have your horse tied when putting the bridle/bit on. Re-review my Step 9: Introducing the Saddle & Bit in my Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System DVD set that you have there, to see how we properly bridle a horse.

Work on what you read in the above link (and what you see on my video) and you should be able to get past this problem, but again, do have your vet dentist do a complete exam because you don't want to be attempting any of this schooling if there is a pain issue in the mouth, which I suspect there is.