My horse wont take his bit

Question
   I have a 13 year old Thoroughbred Gelding who refuses to take a bit.  He is
really sensitive with people touching his mouth but there is no health
problem.  He eats his food fine and will hold a carrot in his mouth like a bit.  
If you go to touch his mouth, he'll start tossing his head around.  He's even
reared before.  If he sees the bit, he'll toss his head and step back from me.  
   This is a new problem.  He wasn't ridden in a few years but he always took
his bit fine until we sent him to be trained.  He came back totally bit-shy.
   I've been using a hackamore on him lately but he doesn't turn all that well
with it.  Please help...


Answer
hi Ella,
he is probobly bit shy because the trainer had hard hands causeing bone spurts to form in his mouth were the bit lays. try getting a happy mouth bit. it is a regular snaffle with plastic coated on it. it is a very easy bit and after a while he will see that is doesnt hurt.with time he will get easier and easier to bridle. if he backs up when you go to put it on step back and make him run around his pen a few times. stop him and try it again. every time he refuses the bit make him run. after a while he will stop refusing and take the bit. all this takes time so be patient.
you can also try a DR.Robert Cook Bitless bridles. this website will tell you all the information. i have used it on some racehorses before and it does help with bit shy horses.
goodluckl and let me know how things go.
amanda groff