Bit

Question
QUESTION: My 7yr old mare has started lifting her head really high when i try to put her bridle on. When i finally get the bit in her mouth she constanley chews it. She hasnt been ridden for about 5wks.I have never had this problem with her in the 6 months ive had her.

ANSWER: Without knowing how much experience you have with horses, I will go from some basics on up.  And also helps to know if riding in snaffle, or curb, and what size bit.

Generally when a horse does this, it is because the bridle is being put on incorrectly, in that the bridle is being pulled over the face/eyes or ears, and hurting or irritating the horse in some fashion.  

It could be that the browband is too small, in that it is not wide enough from temple to temple, and that in turn causes the sidepieces to rest too close to the eyes. It could be that the browband is resting too close to the base of the ears.  It could also be that the bridle is not adjusted correctly, so that the buckles are uneven, and the headstall is uneven on her head.  Think how you feel if you have a crew sock on one foot, and a knee sock on the other.

The bit could be too small from cheek to cheek, and she may need a bigger bit, the sidepieces of the bit should rest comfortably outside the corners of the mouth, and not pinch, and should have one wrinkle of the lip when the headstall is adjusted correctly.  And if the bit is, for instance a Tom Thumb, the cheekpieces could be pivoting in and out on her jaws and bothering her.  Tom Thumbs, as well as some other bits can be a problem in this regard.

Also if you have a curb bit, and as I said, I don't know what type of bit you are using, so if you will let me know what it is, and what type of headstall, as in one ear, browband, two ear, and anything else you can tell me about her bridle, that will help me think this through and help you better.  Back to the curb bit, which is using leverage of course with the shanks.  Those bits have curb straps or chains, and many times people will have them adjusted so tightly that when the bridle is put on or taken off, it hurts as it is pulled over the lower lip, making the horse less than enthusiastic about the bridle.

There also could be an area of stitching that has come loose and is irritating her.

It could also be that the bridle is adjusted too tightly and when you are bringing it over her ears you are hurting her, so she is raising her head to get away from that.  And you could be hitting her teeth with the bit and causing pain.

And there is a possibility that she has gotten a piece of hay or grain, or even a twig in area between tooth and gum, think popcorn hull in your mouth, and that has caused a sore.  She could also have chipped a tooth and is sensitive now, or even have an abcess starting.  And I have seen, a horse have a thin twig straight up in soft palate, and no one knew a thing.  Could also have cut tongue, or cheek when eating.  And could have a sore on gum, under curb on chin, or on poll too.

Let's start with bridling basics, and if this is something you already know how to do correctly ignore it, as I said, I don't know your background.

There are two types of bridling I use, I grew up and worked for many years American Saddlebreds, as did my father who was a trainer, and I was taught this way, and generally bridle like this.

I stand beside horse's throatlatch, and have dropped halter so it is still around neck, but not over nose, it is buckled, and I have the lead rope for control.  I have the bridle in my right hand, and I am facing forward with the horse.  I come under the neck, and over poll, and supporting the bit in my left hand with the fingers spread to keep bit level, angle my right hand lightly down between ears, over forehead and raise the bridle as I use left hand to open mouth and get horse to accept bit, as I do that I raise the bridle so that it is in front of ears, once I have bit placed, I bring left hand to support headstall in front of ears, and I use right hand to tip ears forward as I place the headstall in position.  I never just yank the headstall over the ears, and bend them in to the bridle, I point them forward and bring the headstall back over them gently.  I then adjust the bridle.  You can and I have done this, let the headstall out a notch or two, and the curb to to make it more comfortable.  If the curb is a chain just undo the link, if leather, loosen buckle.

The other way I bridle and only started doing it this way when I started working Quarter Horses.  Saddlebreds are high headed horses, and the first way is a help in bring the head down into a working range.

I am again standing by throatlatch, facing forward. With the second way,the bridle is in right hand, left fingers spread and supporting bit again.  The bridle is brought up from muzzle, and brought up at same time bit is placed in horses mouth, and the right hand is brought up between horse's eyes, and then brought over ears. again tipping ears forward into bridle, rather than yanking over, and ears bent into place.  Bridle of course should be loosened and then adjusted.  This works with a less high headed horse, and either way will do it for you.  Just take care not to hit eyes or be rough with ears, and teeth.

There is another possiblity, that I just thought of too, is your horse in wooded area?  There could be a tick down in her ear, and causing great pain.  These ticks can get down so far it is impossible almost to see them and many horses exhibit the high headedness you are seeing due to them.  Check her ears good, and also there are ear mites, and there is a waxy whitish "growth" that many horses get, kind of patchy and scaly in a waxy way, that makes horses very uncomfortable.  You can get some A and D vasoline and rub it in the ears to get rid of that, or I have used baby oil too.

And do check her face/head area really good, as could have gotten sore on poll, or on face that you aren't seeing, maybe a thorn under skin, that the bridle is putting pressure on.

They do make several different widths of browbands, and bits, so take a cloth tape measure with you and measure her forehead, and her mouth to see if bit is too small or browband is.

Write back with bit type, and bridle type, if you are using a one ear bridle, and don't know if you ride English, or Western either, so that would help to know, a snaffle bit is not good with them, as pulls oddly.

I will ponder this further, and await new information on bridle/bit type, as well as discipline you ride.

Hope this gives you some ideas.  And could be too, she has discovered a way to keep from being ridden as easily.  Horses are funny that way.  I have seen some that you would think were a giraffe.  Nothing like an 18 hand horse with its nose in the rafters to make you rethink your career choice.

Have a great day.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for youre reply, Her bridle is a standard bridle with a snaffle bit, i have used this bridle and bit since i bought her. I hadnt ridden or owned a horse for 30yrs. I had a lady that gives lessons come to check the fitting of the saddle and bridle and bit when i first got her. Its been the last 3 times that i have gone to put the bridle on that she does it.I checked her ears and mouth as best as i could. When shes eating her feed and hay she dosnt look as she has a sore mouth. Im wondering if she is having me on. When i first got Maddie she was great to ride, Ihave only ridden her around the paddocks where i graze her.One day she bucked me off,i did lose my confidence for a while when this happened,and she knew it.Im fine with her now and shes great to handle, brushing, picking up feet etc. Im going to have some lessons to learn how to lunge her. When i go to see her tomorrow i will try again with the bridle, i wont saddle her up, just put her bridle on and lead her around and see what shes like. Thanks Frances.

Answer
She may well have your number, after all her life is an easy one, and she has gotten you off once.

Do check out how you are handling her in regards to bridling, but also remember who bought who, and begin with the attitude that she is a pesky kid brother, and you aren't taking any nonsense from her.

That mindset does a lot with horses, as it gives you a firmer feel around them.  

Use your arm/hands as I described in the first method, to help stop her from raising her head, and be firm with her.  Don't let her buffalo you, or pretty soon you will be doing nothing but looking at her rather than riding her.

Pay attention to her, ears, eyes and so forth, as they will tell you many times when she is going to test you.  Horses will catch on very quickly that they can run over you, and will take advantage of that.

And too, only riding her a little around paddock makes her think you are infringing on her rights, as she would much rather be grazing and loafing.  

Hope the woman who is coming can help out, so that you can enjoy her.  It is no fun to have an animal you cannot enjoy.