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Straight Forward Horsemanship
With Horse Trainer & Clinician
Julie Goodnight
 
 
Difficult to Bridle
by Julie Goodnight
 
 
Question: Our horse, a 12-year-old quarter horse, has started a bad habit. Recently we had our vet float his teeth and since then he fights taking the bit. He has thrown my daughter, her trainer, others and myself through the air when we try to hold his head. He eats fine and is fine once the bit and bridle go on. Any thoughts? We are not sure how to correct this behavior and don't want to make it worse. Donna, Mt. Pleasant, SC.
 
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Answer: Donna, If your horse did not have a bridling problem before the teeth floating, he is probably just worried about his teeth getting hurt again. You need to desensitize him to being bridled again, just like a horse that has a bridling problem. I would recommend using the "advance and retreat" method. First approach him as if you were going through the motions of bridling, but without the bridle. Make sure he is not tied. Advance slowly until you reach the point that causes him to resist- GO NO FURTHER, but hold that position quietly until he relaxes, then retreat (walk away a few steps for a moment). Count to five and then approach again in the same way; advance and retreat repeatedly. Do not try to hold his head still or confine his head, just advance until he resists, then hold that position but try to be very still. The worst things you can do are grab at his head and try to hold him still. You should wait to retreat until there is some small sign of relaxation. That might just be when he stops throwing his head or it might be when he actually drops his head and takes a deep breath. Ideally, that is what you want him to do. Repeat the advance and retreat many many times, advancing further as you can. He will learn that when he relaxes, the thing that causes him fear will go away. Then he will no longer be afraid of it. Gradually advance, but always retreat. Do not approach him with the bridle until you can rub all over his head and mouth with him relaxed. Then start all over with the bridle. This whole process could take one hour or one week. The fact that you never had a problem before the floating makes me think that he will go back to his old ways sooner rather than later. Be patient and give him all the time he needs. He is not just being obstinate, this behavior started with an honest fear of being hurt. Good luck and let me know how it goes. Julie Goodnight Trainer and Clinician
 
 
Read comments or post your own comments to this article at the bottom of this page.
 
 

Julie Goodnight, internationally known speaker and clinician and an equine professional for more than 25 years, has a varied background ranging from dressage and jumping to racing, reining and wilderness riding. Julie is known for her logical and straightforward style of teaching and her ability to bridge natural horsemanship techniques with the principles of classical riding. Goodnight's upbeat and personable style ensures success for every horse and rider. Goodnight's teaching focuses on balance, rhythm, use of the natural aids and developing a harmonious relationship with the horse. Goodnight appears at about 40 horse fairs, clinics and conferences a year in North America and Europe and is regularly published in Western Horseman, The Instructor and Equus magazines.

 
 
Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission.
 
 
  Reader comments for this article  
Name: Jan Time: 2008-09-25 21:09:35
Comment: Another option that may help is a halter bridle, the type with snaps on the side of the halter for bit hangers. Put the halter on, connect the bit hanger on the side away from you and it's much easier to work on getting the bit in his mouth from the side, putting a finger in his mouth to touch the roof. I've got a horse that had a problem with taking the bit, and this has made dealing with it pretty easy. He's now much better. It's not quite as easy with some bits as it is with a snaffle, but it's manageable.
Name: Leslie Davis Time: 2008-09-07 04:09:22
Comment: I appreciate trainer's and I think Julie had good advise. I just would like to have a further comment: Perhaps a bitless bridle or just a side pull would help them enjoy this horse. If there is no reason for a bit, why use one?
I am sure there are some diciplines that "require" a bit...horse racing, dressage, etc. I am just not convinced a horse needs one for us to communicate with him.
Name: Sandy Time: 2008-09-05 13:09:09
Comment: Was the horse sedated? Even though I don't like this....depends on the horse and the shape of his teeth. But I know if someone was going to take a rasp and grim my teeth down and pull my tongue almost out of my mouth....I would have wanted a pain killer too.....
 
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VOLUME 3. ISSUE 9 September/2008