| Welcome to The Outside Course! You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features! |
| Shy?!; My horse doesn't like the bridle. HELP! | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 3 2007, 09:29 AM (389 Views) | |
| Chelsea | Nov 3 2007, 09:29 AM Post #1 |
|
Weanling
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
My 7 year old Thoughbred Jake is Head shy. I know when I bought him that he had warts in his ears. (Most thoughbreds do) Well when I bought him he was fine with me putting the brilde on, but after a year of owning him putting on his bridle is VERY stressfull! it take like 20 mins. He is fine with putting the halter on and me pushing his ears back but when it comes to the bridle.... WATCH OUT!!! What could this be and what do I do to fix it? I need some help on this because if I take him to a show and there are no stalls then I will have a loose horse on my hands. |
![]() |
|
| seal harbor | Nov 3 2007, 10:35 AM Post #2 |
![]()
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
This may sound stupid but when was the last time his teeth were looked at. He seems not to mind the halter over his ears but has issues with the bridle, does the bridle fit properly, have you changed his bit recently? |
![]() |
|
| OpticalIllusion | Nov 3 2007, 10:41 AM Post #3 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Is it just his head or does he not like the bit either? If its his bit, he may have clinked his teeth on it. Try putting some molasses on it and be very careful when putting it on and off. If its his ears he is upset about, some just don't get over it. We have a pony that was horribly beaten by his previous owner (which was this BIG guy and pony is only 12h) and we've had him for 8 years, he still isn't over it. One thing that can help is to unbuckle a cheek piece, then instead of putting it over his ears, just flip it behind them. If your worried about bridling at a show, get a halter with a buckle under the nose and a buckle on the crown and a buckle cheek. Bridle over the halter, then unbuckle all the halter buckles and you can pull it out from under the bridle. Grooming halters work well too. Good luck and just remember... patience is the key. |
![]() |
|
| Chelsea | Nov 4 2007, 06:36 AM Post #4 |
|
Weanling
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks. Yes i have changed his bit recently. but he doesn't have the problem with the bit I don't think. I think it is just with his ears. I have been loosening the the birdel where when i put the bridle on the bit goes in and then i can pull the bridle high and justplace it over his ears and then tighten it, so that i don't have to pull the briddle over the ears. It is wokr alittle bit but, some days he won't let me do anything. He had his teeth done April 18th 2007. How often are your horses teeth to be done a year? ( could my horses head shying be sychlogical?) Chelsea (thanks) |
![]() |
|
| Witchy | Nov 4 2007, 08:46 AM Post #5 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I had a mare that wouldn't let you touch her ears for anything. I bridled her by unhooking the near side cheek piece, I placed the bridle over her ears and then pulled the bit sideways up into her mouth and reattached it. It made life unstressful for us both. |
![]() |
|
| Kikki | Nov 4 2007, 09:14 PM Post #6 |
|
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I had a horse that had 2 sarcoids removed from his ears and he didn't like to be bridled either. I, as mentioned above, just unbukled a cheek piece and raised it over his head (at first this took a step ladder) and then put the bit in sideways. It was a little extra effort than bridling a 'normal' horse, but way better than the alternative! Irronically, with a little patience, I could clip this horse's ears with no problem. I also knew a horse that didn't like the bridle going over his ears, but if he was given a peppermint right when the bit was put in his mouth it disctacted him long enough to get it over his ears. I would make sure his teeth aren't bothering him, the bit isn't pinching or bumping his teeth at any point, and that he doesn't have any problems with his ears though. I think a quick check by your vet (possibly just the next time he is at the barn if he is out with some regularity - ours is out at least twice a week!) would not be a bad idea, just to rule out any irritant that could be eliminated. |
![]() |
|
| seal harbor | Nov 5 2007, 12:33 AM Post #7 |
![]()
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I still think it's interesting that the halter doesn't bother this horse only the bridle does. Does the halter go over the ears as well or is it the kind where the crown is undone? If it is not one where you undo the crown to put it on then it's the bridle. Either teeth, or the bit or the way it fits. You said you changed the bit - perhaps while the horse actually doesn't seem to mind the bit once it is in it's mouth he does mind the bit. For some horses once a year dental is not enough. Either by the way they chew or something else going on in their mouth, they should be checked at least every six months. Not worked on, checked. |
![]() |
|
| jniffer18 | Nov 6 2007, 09:18 AM Post #8 |
|
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
You could test this easy by taking the bit off of the bridle, and trying to bridle him with no bit. If he accepts that, it could very well be a dental issue |
![]() |
|
| OnyxThePony | Nov 6 2007, 10:43 AM Post #9 |
![]()
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Good idea. It can be a very complicated issue.. I know one whose warts developed into an inflamation of the deep inner ear canal (chronic). There's SO much that could be going on. |
![]() |
|
| Chelsea | Nov 27 2007, 12:42 PM Post #10 |
|
Weanling
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hello, Just giving you an update on my horse! I have tryed what you guys have said for me to try. I undid the bit part of the bridle and just placed it over his ears. He was doing good for abut 2 weeks. Then all of a sudden.... BANG he dind't liek it anymore. But I continued to do this because it was the easist. Now the problem is the bit! i place the bridle over his head and pull the bit into his mouth but he just doesn't like it! SO i have to have my friend hold the head down while I put the bit in or (other way around.) I am having the vet come out and do his teeth. I felt and there is no sharp teeth. so i am goign to get the vet to look for an abcess. there you go you are updated! HELP
|
![]() |
|
| Witchy | Nov 27 2007, 01:52 PM Post #11 |
|
You're BANNED!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Wrap the bit with a small piece of a fruit roll-up and he'll be happy to take the bit after a few times. |
![]() |
|
| tarragon | Nov 28 2007, 08:16 PM Post #12 |
|
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Ask your vet about having the warts removed. There was a gelding at my barn with aural plaques, and he became more and more sensitive about his ears until it got to the point where you could barely even get a halter on him- he's 17.3. Our vet removed the plaques. It took two different times, but they haven't come back after a year and he's great about having his ears handled now. It took a while, but after he realized it wasn't painful anymore he just accepted it. It seems like his personality has changed a lot too- he was always a cranky sort, but now he's become really sweet and affectionate. |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · The Barn Aisle · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)





1:20 AM Jul 11