pony wont take his bit

Question
Hi, it has taken me almost a year to get my confidence riding again and i am finally much better, my 16 year old new forest have given me lots of confidence on the ground and although he can be a little joggy at times i feel safe with him , he used to be bad at taking the bit according to his last owner but ive not had alot of trouble, he had his teeth done a few months ago and hated it, he reared and got so bad she couldnt do one of them but she said it wouldnt bother him at all , once the bit is in he sems quite happy and my rein contact is very light with him so i dont hurt him , but since he had his teeth done its just got worse, at first i used some treacle and it worked , then that didnt work anymore so i put a treat under the bit, i give him loads of fuss when he does take it and a treat, but now he wont take it at all, ive tried just about everything ive read or been told , he throws his head up and i'm afraid he might rear while hes tied up and get hurt, tried tying him short , he still gets his head right up , he will drop his head for me but as soon as i try with the bit its up again, he accidently knocked my friend in the teeth and made her bleed , i havent been able to ride him since last sunday now, we got his bit in thaty day with a fight though, now the fighting just makes me feel its just making him worse, i try not to bang his teeth with the bit, a friend is going to lend me a happy mouth snaffle , but will he take this any better, i'm so sad as untill charlie came along i was going to give up riding because of the fear , please help
carol

Answer
Hi Carol.

As you say you have light hands, try going bitless.  He may still be a wee bit sensitive after having his teeth done (my 24yr old arab mare has to be sedated for that!) so try having nothing in his mouth and going bitless.

A happy mouth snaffle is one I never recommend..I have had a fair few that have snapped.

Hope this helps.

Emma xx