Bitting and Bridle Problems - Horse Welfare

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     Some horses are difficult to bit and to put a bridle on. There can be many reasons for this and many of which are due to inconsiderate handling by the carer and ill-fitting equipment resulting in discomfort, pain and a negative cycle of reaction to this. Firstly the physical reasons for unwillingness to accept the bit and bridle need to be removed. Eliminating the cause and possible reasons for this will not always stop the unwillingness for acceptance as the horse will now associate the bridle and its parts with pain. However once they are removed if the carer actis with patience and understanding to the reasons the horse is behaving in the protective way he is, the unpleasant association the horse feels can be decreased over time and gradually eliminated.

Physical signs that a horse is in pain, uncomfortable or has an unhappy association with the bit or the bridle can often manifest itself in a variety of unexpected ways. Many owners report that their horse does not like their ears being touched, can become scared when the reins are put over their head and will not want to open their mouth. When ridden signs the horse is unhappy can include snatching their head forward pulling the reins out of the riders hands, rearing, bucking and holding the bit in their mouth.

When understood that the horse may not necessarily be being naughty and that there may be a reason for these negative reactions, the solution can be identified more easily and a harmonious situation can be achieved. If the horse is nervous when the reins are placed over his head, the buckle can be undone and refastened around the horses neck. If the horse does not like his ears being touched (once any problems with his ears or teeth have been identified, ruled out and / or dealt with), bridles can be used that have bit clips. This allows the owner to put the bridle on in stages, preventing the need for the horses ears to be pulled through the gap. The headpiece and browband can be placed over his ears and the bit is clipped onto the cheek pieces once in place. Bit clips mean that the bridle can be put on without the tedious task of undoing and reattaching the bilet straps of cheek pieces. If the horse is reluctant to open his mouth and accept the bit into his mouth it is often due to poor handling when removing the bridle from the horse, causing the metal bit to knock on the horses teeth. One well known trick is to half then hollow out a carrot lengthways and place it snugly around the bit. This can them be offered to the horse when layed on your hand and slipped into place. SOme horses can just not like the feel of a metal bit in their mouth. Professinal dentists have often said that reluctance to accept the bit before and during ridden work can be down to the fact that they dont like metal bits, or associate them with discomfort. Switching to a plastic / happy-mouth bit can often result in a much happier horse.

Bridle acceptance and bitting problems can be worked out with a little investigative work, patience and understanding.