Hard to put the bit in

We had our 3 year old sent the the trainer last fall, he was 2 then, and the one thing the trainer wish he had more time for was head issues. He was a pain to halter and put the bit in, once the bit was in, he was fine.

He has greatly improved with the halter. His is improving with the bit as well. Here are a couple of suggestions.

1. Leave the halter on and put the bridle over it. That way the horse can remained tied up and not keep backing up. You could also just have the halter around his neck and remove it once the bridle is on.
2. Typically you would put the bit in and then pull the bridle up around the ears. For our guy, I learned it was far easier to undo the left cheek straps and get the bridle situated around his ears first. Then once that was done, pull the loose strap around and get the bit in the mouth. This has worked very well for this guy!

He also does not care of the reins being thrown over his head so you can mount him, so he has the reins thrown over his head many times during a session.

With our guy he had an abscess on his lower jaw last year with may have contributed to this issue. However, his issues seem to mostly be with his ears. Sadly, he was xrayed and there is still a piece of broken tooth/bone in there so he gets to go have surgery the end of April to have that fixed, hopefully his head issues won't get worse again.

If a horse has this issue here's what I usually do.
 
I'll start by teaching them the head down cue.  Its very simple but takes repetition for the horse to consistantly do it.  I usually place my right arm over the horses neck having my elbow in line with the mane so that my fingers are just at the top knot between their ears or just behind.  With rythmatic pressure I use thumb and forefinger to press down.  Most horses will raise their head first then drop it, as long as it was a try release and rub.  Keep doing that till he understands when your hand comes over his neck his head should come down.
 
Now take the lead rope and use it as though it were the bridle and bit.  Ask for the head down and tip his nose to you a little just like you usually would.  Slid the lead up over his head and ears a few times till he stops wanting to back up and raise his head.  Next step is to take the lead up like the bridle and this time use the lead as the bit too.  Ask for him to open and place the lead in the bits spot.  If there is a sore tooth or resentmet at the bit this will help because there isn't anything there to accidently bump him and cause pain.
 
After this I take the actual bridle and just slide it up over his head and leave the bit under the chin.  As long as he keeps his head down and relaxed take it off.  Keep doing that till he's ok with it then ask for the bit to go in.  by doing all this you will see if it is a head issue, teeth issue or just a bit issue and each one of those you can just go back and work on again with the lead rope.
 
Hope this helps. 

Thanks to you both!
 
Trainer, my horse only hesitates when he's sees the bit.  I agree I have to work on head down softness....I have started and he does not like pressure on his head.  I will work on this as you and so many other trainers suggest.  I know I need to get softness in lowering his head...this will be very helpful.  My horse is very soft under saddle, and I have NEVER had to pull on his mouth.  Only light pulses of my hand to ask him to do anything.
 
His bottom far right front tooth is broken to the gum line, but does not seem to be infected....I guess I could touch it to see if it's sensitive?  I have been working on his mouth to make sure that when the vet comes, he's not refusing to open his mouth.
 
I like the idea of using the rope as the bridle and putting the rope in his mouth.  I have stopped tying him all together when working with him, because he does freak out when he pulls back and feels pressure....then after 2 or 3 seconds relaxes, but not after a few strong pulls.  It's a scary few seconds...so no more tying.  He will stand at the rail without being tied, and even will stand alone if I need to go grab something out of the tack room....so I know he's pretty good, but just don't want him to hurt himself by pulling back really hard and freaking out....such a new horse to me, and relatively young as well.
 
We are still bonding, and making progress each day.  He's a lover....really. 
 
Thanks for your help.....I really appreciate it. 
 
Eric
 
 

I totally agree with teaching the horse to lower their head and keep it there.  My gelding is 5, but 18 hds. and he HAS to lower his head and cooperate to be bridled   Besides what Trainer said, I handled his muzzle, mouth a lot, fingers in his mouth,&nbsplus scratching around his eyes, ears until he was fine with that.  Remember, too, that when you take the bridle/bit off, to lower the bit slowly and let him release and spit it out, don't drop it suddenly so that it hits his teeth. 
 
Goodluck w/  your young guy. 

Playing with his mouth and muzzle is sooooo important I agree.  Not to mention that when the vet comes out, he has to be the perfect patient
 
I worked hard today on the head lowering process and he's stubborn!  I think short sessions will help, so I am limiting the head pressure to 10 minutes per session and work on other stuff too.  One thing for sure is that I don't want to fight back with him, I remember what Clinton Anderson said about horses expecting a fight, and not to give them one!  I like that, and believe it!
 
I put some pressure on his broken tooth and didn't think it was sensitive, but he could still be thinking of when he broke it, just 5 short weeks ago.  That must have hurt.
 
Thanks Dana.....good to see you again

I read an article in Western Horseman March Issue about Hackamores from Richard Caldwell.
 
Long story short, I few emails back and forth with the author of the article, and I bought a used bosal, and have two days riding trail with it.
 
So far, I am very happy with the softness of the hackamore, and my horse seems to be more relaxed with the bit.
 
My plan is to ride like this for another two years, and go from there.
 
My horse remains soft, and I only have to pick up the reins....tap a few bumps and we are all good up in the hood
 
Eric

I would take the bit away as soon as he quit backing up.  It seems like he has a confidence issue with being put in that vulnerable position.  Approach and retreat will fix that.  Also, when you're not bitting him, play with his mouth and make it a good thing, like a massage   He'll become more confident with you there, and that will make bitting easier, but watch your fingers!  Also, try putting something like mollasses or sugar water on the bit (try not to get it in the hinges though).  Pretty soon he'll be begging for you to put the bit in!