Getting into the bit on the bridle..

Question
Hi there,

I purchased a 13 year old 18hh TB mare who raced for 6 years, I'm training her for Eventing.. I have tried everything i know. But nothing at all seams to work. She respects the bit but won't get on it. She is either behind the bit or she is way strung out. I know it is not my riding, seat etc. I have been riding sense 2 and competing sense 7 and i have ridden a lot of eventers... I have used draw reins, but when i take them off she puts her nose right back into the air. She is real soft in the mouth & she respects it. But won't get on it. Being on the track for so long i would have assumed she knew how. Is there something i am missing? Any bit i should try? She is in a tender touch training bit.

Answer
hi chelsea, well if she is strung out then pull and bring her back to you. if she is behind you then pull alittle more and be connected with her mouth. with racehorses thery should alays be on the bit. i was retrsining an exracehorse for jumping and he wouldnt break at the poll, so what i did was i took him back to raceing. stood him like he was in a starting gat then made him take off and go. as soon as he started running he got on the bit perfectly. you may want to try this. and slowely get her speed down. you can also use a german martingal. this works similar to draw reins. good luck.
amanda groff