how would you proceed?

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how would you proceed?
Topic Started: Jun 25 2009, 04:57 AM (280 Views)
horseless no more	Jun 25 2009, 04:57 AM Post #1
Magical Leopluridon Posts: 764 Group: Members Member #68 Joined: January 5, 2007	When I bought Jack I knew he might have some problems with bits in his mouth due to a previous owners being brutal with a bit and proceeding to break 2 of his teeth. So I figured ok ill go out and get on of those side pull things and eventually see if he would be ok with a rubber bit. I have 2 of them so one would probably be ok for him. I kinda had this plan worked out.. get him back into a sembelance of shape doing slow work w/t mostly first on lunge then undersaddle all in the sidepull thing. While working him in the side pull just start playing around with the bit. According to the seller he would cower in hte corner when they would try to put a bit in his mouth. So I wanted to go slow kinda like introducing clippers to a horse who either never had them used or is just scared of them for what ever reason. I left the bit in his feed bucket for him ot play around with for the last few days. Had to pick it up everyday off the floor but that is ok at least I assume it is him tosssing it out of the feed bucket so he is in some contact with it. It has not yet been across the stall but just under feed. So yesterday instead of just plopping it back into the feed bucket I thought lets see how skizo he will get if i try to put it into his mouth. He just stood there didnt open his mouth but didnt run away either. SO I put thumb into bars and tickled his tounge a bit to open his mouth.. He did an I slid the bit in. I figured he would freak a bit but he just stood there and held onto the bit when I let go. I let go thinking he would spit it out. He only let go once i 'tugged' on it a titch. I did this a few more times and the same result. He was such a good boy I didnt want to push luck by attaching it to the lunging cavason I have so i tossed it back into the feed bucket and took him out to work a bit at his own pace. He chose to trot so we trotted he wanted to walk we walked type thing. I just chose the direction.. He is however very left handed.. I have not yet purchased the side pull ( budget isnt there) to use on him. And as it turns out it will be a while until I can hop on him as my 54 inch girth is to small for him so he is very fat... He goes on a diet starting yesterday... So the purche of the side pull can wait. My questions are should I continue just piddling around getting him to take the bit and letting go or should I try to lunge him with the bit attached to cavison or on a bridle? should I put the bit on a bridle and see if his attitude remains the same or wait on that as well? I want him to be comfy with a bit but I dont want to freak him out at the same time if that makes sense... Thinking it might be the bridle attached to the bit that freaks him a bit... I could go with out reins. How would you proceed with this delema.. wanting him to know he will not be hurt but yet making progress at the same time.. I think he made progress yesterday and really want to work off of that but when to take the next step...



Trialbyfire	Jun 25 2009, 05:54 AM Post #2
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,186 Group: Members Member #250 Joined: January 8, 2007	Awww, poor boy! I can't imagine breaking a horse's teeth with a bit. Good lord!! I am no expert, but I think I wouldn't rush things, just in case. Do you know whether his teeth have been checked since this incident? Just to ensure that when you are ready to play with his mouth he doesn't get hurt? I think I'd probably try using a cavesson or doing some in hand work in a halter first, just to get him used to you, without any issues re: his bit. My mare hated the lunge line on the front of the cavesson, but I know a lot of horses don't mind. (in fact, I have a nylon cavesson w/ fleece lined nose band from Stateline that I will give you if you want it. Not only did my mare dislike it but her TB pinhead was too small for it and the browband portion stuck out weirdly). Once you have worked on a few easy things in a halter or cavesson, I might just calmly slip a bridle on him (or try to) and do the exact same thing, then take it off an reward him. But I would definitely check the teeth, too. Good luck!



horseless no more	Jun 25 2009, 06:03 AM Post #3
Magical Leopluridon Posts: 764 Group: Members Member #68 Joined: January 5, 2007	His teeth were checked and floated since then think seller said in Jan they were done but will have to check his paper work... the vet said they appear to have been broken when he was still young.. what ever that means... To me 6 is 'young' as I dont think I have ever had a horse under the age of 10 or 11... I have the same cavesson not real thrilled with it but it is what I have ( my oldes ds gave it to me for a xmas present a few yrs ago). Thanks



Delia	Jun 25 2009, 07:20 AM Post #4
Is the meadow on fire? Posts: 1,501 Group: Members Member #681 Joined: January 31, 2007	As TBF said, I would go slow and first just play with him on the longe line with a halter or cavesson. Get him walking, trotting and cantering like that and teach him voice commands. After a few weeks I'd try to put a bridle on him with a bit but no reins and let him just hang out in his stall with it on (and take any hay out so he's not trying to eat with it on). Once he seems comfortable with the bridle on in his stall, I'd put a halter on over the bridle and lead him, groom him and longe him that way, with lead rope, cross ties, etc. attached to the halter. So he'll get used to wearing the bridle when he works but there will be no contact between you and the bit. I think you said that you tried him in a hackamore at the sellers, so at the same time I'd ride him in that. Or just ride him with a halter with reins and have someone longe you on him until he seems ready to be ridden again with a bit. Voice commands and your seat will be your best friends, so that you can be very light with your hands.



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