behavior issue

Question
I've been riding horses for about seven years, and finally got one of my own two years ago. I have a three year old quarter horse gelding who started his groundwork training at 1 and a half years. At two years old, I introduced him to the bridle and bit, but he will not accept the bit. I put the bit in his mouth and no matter how long I keep it in, he just will not accept it. Lately, whenever i try to get him to accept it, he moves it around so much that his mouth ends up bleeding. There is nothing wrong with his teeth. Could I be introducing him to it wrong? Or is there any alternative ways that I could use to introduce him to it? Thanks.

Answer
Kati,
 He is not ready for any of this yet.  Mentally he is not mature enough to handle this, and physically he is not properly developed to deal with this either.  At 3 he is equivalent to a toddler child (between 1 and 4) and you are asking him to handle the mental capacity of an 11 or 12 year old child.  Horses skeletal systems don't fully ossify (developed and harden) until they are 8 years old, which means you shouldn't even consider putting a saddle on his back until he is at least 4!!  Riding him, and working him too early will create premature wear and tear on him joint, tendon, muscles, and bone development.  What are you using for a bit?  As a baby he should not have anything in his mouth except a loose ring straight rubber bit.  Not a rubber coated metal bit, just a rubber bit.  Now that he has had his mouth sliced up, he should be very upset, scared, nervous, and anxious about anything else in his mouth, so you need to take a few steps backwards with him, and start all over next year.  I recommend that you work with a qualified, reputable trainer, instructor, or horse friend that can help you on a day to day basis.  This horse isn't having behavior problems, he's having people problems.  

I hope this helps, please let me know if I can help with anything else.

Samantha Brunner