My Horse Wont Bridle

Question
Hi, My name is Sarah, I just recently bought a new horse. He's a growing irish sport horse. He's already 16.3. He's a great boy under saddle, and on the ground, until the bridle comes into sight. He throws his head, backs up, walks forward, pushes me and my trainers around. And When i place my hand over his nose (where the noseband goes) he can literally lift me a good 2 ft off the ground! He just doesn't seem to want it in, We're getting a chiropractor out to release his jaw, but i was wondering if that would be the case, or if there's anything to do in the mean time. Please Help, I can't bridle/ride my horse!!!




Yours Truly,
Sarah

Answer
Hello Sarah!
OOh Irish Sport Horse!!! **drool** haha anyways, its sounds like he is head shy. So to fix that, you will need just take him out one day in the arena lets say. So.. you will take the bridle in your hand, and bring it to his butt and start rubbing him with it...tell him hes a good boy. Slowly work your way up, rubbing with the bridle. So make your way to his flank, his ribs, his shoulder (ALWAYS TELLING HIM HE IS A GOOD BOY) and once you get to his neck..take it VERY slowly and really exagerate the fact that hes a good boy. Give him treats even. So, if he does not react, slowly keep rubbing the bridle against him , and make your way up to his ears and stuff, and eventually all over his face.

If he reacts badly during this procedure, well you just keep on rubbing! lol like, lets say you are at his neck and he starts moving or getting iffy about it, keep on rubbing at that exact spot, until he stops moving. The second he stops moving, you stop rubbing:)
and give him a treat as a reward. This can take a LONG time, a few days or weeks even, but just be patient and it will work, I PROMISE lol
good luck and have fun!