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Post by lucyjake on Dec 27, 2005 23:16:46 GMT 1
Hey.
I have just brought a new horse. Hes is very inexperienced 7yr old TB. Hes your typical TB, very forward going, alert and a little spooky.
He is very difficult to get his bridle and i have been told this is due to him banging the top of his head between his pol when he was younger!!! At the moment i have to take it to pieces and start with the headpiece and brow band.
He puts up a fight to have that put on. Then i have to continue by attaching the cheek pieces and quietly putting the bit in. And then the nose band (if i can get that far)!!!
Just wandering if anybody could help or have any suggestions! I am willing to try anything because this problem is going to cause future problems when i wish to compete!
Thanx
Lucx
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Post by june on Dec 27, 2005 23:31:51 GMT 1
We've got one like that! We began doing what you are doing and have now got to the point where we can get the bridle on with only one cheekpiece left undone so we put the bit in last once the rest of the bridle is in position. It took time and quite a bit of patience to get this far. This horse doesn't like his ears touched. He had an infection in his ear for quite some time and I guess having his ears pulled throught the headpiece was uncomfortable which is how it started. I now make a point of touching his ears as much as possible which started with just an "accidental" brush past his ears and has now progressed to being able to stroke them. Maybe doing that with your horse, touching his poll when ever you can would help desensitise him.
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Post by kas on Dec 27, 2005 23:44:00 GMT 1
Yep, great stuff June. I'd build on that by getting away from bridles for a day or two and teaching him to put his own nose in a halter. Start to halter him by putting your right arm over his neck and bringing the nose band up under his neck. Encourage his nose down and round towards you so that he puts his nose in himself. Teach him that when his halter comes off, he can bring his head round and down again and it will fall softly off his head. With the bridling take the bit out and the noseband out and work on doing exactly the same thing with the basic headpiece. It doesn't matter that he doesn't have anything to put on his nose, but let him find that when he brings his head to the right place the headpiece comes off. Then rebuild your bridle, noseband first (if you use one) and then the bit. As soon as he takes the headpiece, bridle and then bridle with bit softly take his head round and take it off. Let him realise that sometimes it doesn't go on to stay. Be prepared to turn him back out in the field a few times if he does something good. A few days working on this instead of riding (no hardship if you're knee-deep in snow) and a lifetime of easy tacking up. Fingers crossed  |
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Post by annahindley on Dec 28, 2005 0:34:57 GMT 1
Hi Lucyjake and welcome!
Has his poll been checked since he hit it? It sounds like it was quite a bang- it is possible it has caused some axis soreness, perhaps limiting the range of movement in this important joint a little. I have treated lots of horses who couldn't bear their ears touched - but after the treament they are much better about it- it is not always a hangover from an ear infection (although of course it can be)- it can be soreness at the poll. How does he go when ridden? Does he have any problems engaging or coming onto the bit? Has he any teeth issues? Left untreated, these pains can linger on - I often see human patients with neck pain as much as 15 years after the car accident hey first got it from! I'm sure horses are the same, but they are harder to ask....unless they answer by saying "I don't like that" which is all they can do. Assuming you have checked all the teeth, spine and tack are not a problem, then the good advice here should sort you out!
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Post by Louise C on Dec 28, 2005 12:32:16 GMT 1
Lucyjake welcome to the site - brilliant advice from above.
Can't offer you advice on bridles - my boy is a dream to do - but saddles were a whole new ball game, he's sensitive like yours!
Good luck
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Post by gwenoakes on Dec 28, 2005 14:41:07 GMT 1
Hi Lucyjake and welcome aboard. Second everything that has been said above especially Anna's bit. We have a TB/ID who was very sore round the pole, ears and axis and it was all down to his teeth. Sorry if you have checked this out, but we had a very long time with this prob as the so called equine dentist wasnt doing her job properly and consequently other probs presented themselves. Good luck.
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Cathy248
Grand Prix Poster
Maddie's 2nd Fun Ride
Posts: 1,045
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Post by Cathy248 on Dec 28, 2005 16:35:23 GMT 1
If he really is difficult try not using a browband at all initially - then you don't have to squeese his ears thorugh a small gap (even wihout a bit on). Agree with all the advice above- just take it slowly and he'll come right. Try to gradually increase how much you can touch him around that area and he shoulld become less sensitive to you putting his bridle on. Good luck |
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Persianhorse
Grand Prix Poster
The picture is taken from a figure found carved on a bone 5000 years ago in ancient Persia.
Posts: 3,405
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Post by Persianhorse on Dec 29, 2005 0:52:36 GMT 1
With a hair dryer desensitize his ears and the Head and put hackamor on him.
The forward going you should always take a step other than forward for example one or tow steps back (rear him back) this kind of horses they learn there is only one way to go and that is forward thats the reason they become heavy headed and it is a problem to stop them,after one or tow steps forward one or tow steps to the left and to the right also.I don't know if he is frightened of his ears if so the hair dryer is very good to overcome the problem.
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Post by Lynn on Dec 29, 2005 20:16:49 GMT 1
Try teaching him to lower his head when requested this makes handling his head easier from the start, also try standing on a protable step or mounting block, keep it safe, this elevated position can really help.
Always wear a riding hat when doing this work to keep yourself safe.
Done lots of this sp if you want more info do e-mail Lynn@hazeley.com.
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Post by lucyjake on Jan 1, 2006 20:03:19 GMT 1
Hello. Thanks to everybody who has replied to my question. The information that anna sent is very useful i would never of thought of that much detail lol!! Anna's email was partiacly interesting beacause it does relate to some problems i have. He does get a defensive (if thats the right word) when i ask for him to come on the bit. He also shakes his head alot when i ask. Could this be beacuse he its trying to avoid whats been asked due to pain or discomfort. I have only had the horse for two months now but his problems were not fully pointed out to us when we brought him. I have a feeling it has got something to do with his teeth and this could be affecting other areas. we are going to get it all checked out asap !!!
Thanks very much will let you know how i get on with him xx
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