www.funhorsetraining.com In this video I work with a horse that has bridling issues. I give you the step by step process of solving the most common bridling issues that most people have with head shy horses.
Really enjoyed the calm & consistent way you worked with your horse. The instruction was very thorough for those who have the time and opportunity to work with the horse. Wondering if you have any ideas on working with a schooling horse who, although he has a wonderful W/T/C, rears his head, clamps his teeth, and sometimes side-steps at time to bridle. He's 16 hands; I'm 5"2".
Good deal. Ive all ready had two, one hour so called sessions with my gray mare. She came to me this way and I accidently reinforced this by forcing the bit in her mouth two times because I had no patience. There fore, this evasive habit she all ready had got a bit worse. So, I stopped. doing what I was doing and now Im doing it right, slow and easy,step by step. The riding can wait. 2 sessions so far, This is how long it took to get to the calm point of just resting the bit on her lips with no head throwing or evasive movement. It's worth it, This is hard in particular for us small people who have small hands. This takes A lot of patience , but I am very reassured now I'm doing this the right way. Dang, I wish I had long fingers though, because this is taking longer for me, but that's ok. Like you said, this is going to begin a very good foundation. You are so right. Thanks for the encourangement. Good video.
Small comment on the sound quality -- was difficult to hear & understand; could have used more volume. Since I live in the USA, the accent (lovely) was difficult to wade through without adequate sound. Otherwise, very happy to have found & experienced this site.
That would go a lot easier if you loosened up that bridle, so you didn't have to pull on the horses mouth/head so much and then tighten it, once it's over the ears. Give that a try and see if it's not easier on both of you.
This video was immensely helpful to me. I have a 17 hand Belgian that has some bridling issues. I'm working on lowering her head and she is getting better about accepting the bridle. My big problem is taking the bridle off now. Once you go to remove the bridle she starts rubbing her head on you and she does it quite hard. How do I correct that so that she stands calmly while I take it off?
Yes that can become a bit of a problem. The best thing to try is rubbing and scratching her before you take the bridle off so she doesn't feel the need to do it when you take the bridle off. The other thing to try is using you tiger tips teach her to yield her head away from you until she doesn't lean on you as you take it off anymore. Give these few things a try and let me know how it goes for you.
Help!! My pony (13:2 welsh) has suddenly become bad to bridle. He is 5 and we have had him from a foal, so I can ganrutee that he had never had his ears twiched, or stuff like that. He will let you come near him and when you put your hands in his head and go to bridle him he rears up. He clenches his teeth. I need him to bridle. For p.c camp next week!! Please reply!!. We have had a dentist out and he says that his tushes (tusks) are digging into him,but they can't be surgically removed!! Help anyone please. (We are using bit butter and its not working!! Help
Have you tried offering a treat whenever you bridle him? He will have to open his mouth for the treat and maybe that will encourage him to look forward to the reward of being bridled. Does he let you touch his ears when he isn't being bridled?
Hi Jenna Jenna Blumer that's a good idea,but would you day it will teach him bad manners,and he'll learn to get nippy?? And well he can be an angel or the devil. He is a bit suspicis of it and is not keen. He is a quick learner though,so how would you teach him that it's OK ?? (To have his ears touched)) thanks so much x ~kayleigh
Hi Jenna yeah he is never nippy. So that sounds like a plan. And OK, how should I go about that, just rub them until he is comfortable? Thanks so much. ~kayleigh
Hi Kayleigh, The best way to get him more comfortable with having his ears rubbed is to use approach and retreat. Start on his neck or nose where he is comfortable with you touching him and then rub him close and closer to his ears until he starts acting uncomfortable. Then retreat to where he is okay with you petting him. Over time, he should let you get closer and closer to his ears and eventually touch them without a negative reaction. Glad I could help :) Jenna
I would use a halter and teach your horse to lower its that way. When your horse is happy to hold its head down for 30 seconds or more you can then start playing with the other exercises in the video.
