I have a mare she's fully broken in. When I first got her she was only just broken to the saddle. My Grandfather had bred her and started her with pat parrelli horsemanship and I continued with that.But I have not trained her to the bit.But she is highly strung she has let me stick the bit in her mouth. I worry that if I start training her to ride with one and if i do it wrong she might have a hard mouth or have bad brakes.Any tips or links I'd love some?
First off, the reason your picture isnt working is because it isn't uploaded to the internet =) Thats a link to a file on your computer/hard drive =) Thats why we can't see it hun ^^ You can upload pictures to the Horse Forum by making a profile for your horse (click the "Horses" button on the narrow green bar beneith the HF banner. You can make a profile for her there too! ^^)
As for the bitting problem... Have you had a problem bitting her yet? Or are you just worried that because she is high strung she may have a bitting problem? I see you said she is fully broken in but not to the bit.. does this still mean she is in a hackamore/bozal?
I'll give ya s'more help as i get more info on your specific scenario =) I just don't want to mislead ya!
I stuck the bit in her mouth but didn't pull the bridle over her head and she just chewed on it a little the bit I used was a sweet iron eggbut snaffle but it wasn't chunky at all like most eggbut's
Ireland
It would be helpful if you just post once and then wait for people to reply, instead of having a different post for each thought.
Has your grandfather bitted a horse before? If not is there someone else nearby your area that breaks/ trains? I think you would be much better off having someone with experience do this for you.
The first thing I'd do is put the bridle on her, without reins, and let her wear the bit for awhile. You can work her on the ground (have the halter on underneath the headstall) and just let her get used to it.
sorry miss katie I was really tired after riding, my head wasn't on straight thanks for your advice I know thats not the best excuse .Spirithorse after I've done that what should I do If she goes nicely.And yes he has bited a horse before he trained her father I know stallions are crazy but this one was just evil and if you new me I never say that about a horse. My Grandfathers dead so he can't do any more training I'm happy to do it my self just wanted some tips so I don't stuff up I'm good at training horses but I've never done it to the bit.
Ireland
I would let her wear it for several days before you even think about riding her. I'd do that until when you put it on there is little to no reaction. Then when you get on do a lot of your riding on a loose rein. And when you do pick up contact do it lightly, softly and slowly. Reward the slightest try on her part. But don't be in a rush.
Is your bit a single jointed snaffle? If so I'd suggest getting a 3 piece snaffle. Single jointed bits can be very uncomfortable for the horse and you don't want to scare her from the get-go.
Yes it is a single jointed bit and I'll have a look at the 3 jointed bits .And I know this is off topic but how do you work the chat room'
Thanks for the advice.
Ireland
Get a 2 joited fulmer. This will prevent the bit sliding thru the mouth as she gets used what she is supposed to do when pressure is applied.
Before you ride her in the bit, drive her. This will ensure that she understands left, right and stop. You are lucky that she is backed already and can be ridden in a bosal.
Here is how I would approach the situation. Bridle her and let her loose in a round yard or similar, so long as there is nothing to catch the bridle on. Have the cheek pieces long when you put the bridle on and slip it over her ears, so its not uncomfortable for her. Then tighten them so there is just one crease in her mouth. Then let her loose like this for about an hr, morning and evening if possible. Repeat this for a few days, then gradually start tightening the cheek peices until you have 2 creases. Then you can also add side reins and a surcingale. Dont tighten them, just have them so that the horse can feel a slight contact while her head is in its natural position. Let the horse walk around and figure out what to do with its head, but dont leave them on too long and watch the horse the whole time.
I allowed my horses to chew soft lucerne during this stage (when not in sidereins), but some people dont agree with this method.
Once the horse is comfortable with having the bit in the mouth, add reins. Stand at the shoulder, and ask the horse to flex to both sides. Once she understands this, proceed to driving the horse. When you begin driving, the most important thing to teach is whoa. Once that is established you can work on turning and patterns at a walk, and circles at the trot. Once the horse is relaxed during this process and has a good understanding of what you are asking, try riding. Again, establish woah. Keep the lessons short and simple at first, dont over load the horses brain.
Its important that throughout the whole proccess you are soft on the mouth. Ask and release, ask and release, until the horse gives to the pressure. Then praise. Dont ever put the horse in a situation where the presure cant be released when the horse gives to it (eg tight side reins).
The bit you are using is fine. A mullen mouth piece or 3 piece jointed snaffle are milder but single jointed snaffle will work just fine if you are soft with your hands.
The first thing I do with my horses is lateral flexion. I don't know if you have done this at all but you can start out in your rope halter. I start out by taking the lead rope about 2 ft from the horses nose and slowly bring it towards their withers. I stand by her hip/barrel because she might toss her head and her shoulders will most likely come your way. then you wait for 2 things to happen. Their feet to stop moving and for them to give slighty to the pressure. Then you release as fast as you can. As she gets softer and easier to give then start asking her to give more until she can touch her side. Repeat this on one side and until she seems to understand then go try the otherside.
Then I would let her wear the bit as often as possible. While she is in the stall or round pen. Just let her get use to carring it around.
Then I would do the lateral flexion with the bit. Do the exact same thing as you did with the halter. She should pick up pretty fast if you did it right with the halter. Remember soft hands, pull softly and slowly, don't yank.
After they are good at this I like to tie my horses head to the rear D Ring of my saddle (if you ride western) then just leave them out in a round pen for about 15 minutes on each side. This is great because the learn from them selves. I do this to my broke horses as well. It really creates a supple horse.
When you ready to start doing this from the saddle it is pretty much the same thing. you reach down on the reins or lead rope and pull it softly up to your hip. I like to make them touch their nose to my shoe Then you can start doing it at a walk ( Now your doing a one rein stop) then you continue to the trot and canter. Only move up to the next gait if the they are doing it good in the slower one.
You said your horse is high strung. I don't recommend pulling back on 2 reins at once until she fully understands how to give to pressure. When you pull back on two reins it can make alot of horses get bracing and nervous.
If you start out this way and keep soft hands you will have a nice supple horse. Once they understand this vertical flexion usually comes easy and you can her bending circles correctly and everything!
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