Many horses will tolerate a bit that’s not right, and display very subtle signs of being uncomfortable with their bit. Sometimes these signs will be disregarded as naughty behaviour, or laziness, but horses in general don’t behave badly on purpose, there is usually an outside influence causing such behaviour. Some signs to look out for are:
Dislike of having the bridle put on
Chomping and over chewing the bit
Tension and stiffness
Inability to relax when ridden
Tongue evasions, such as poking and tongue over the bit
Tucking behind the contact
Shaking the head
Mouth open when ridden
Ignoring rein aids
Sores in the mouth/on lips
As your training progresses you may notice more problems arising. Some issues can be helped by choosing the right bit such as leaning, lack of bending/turning aids, alongside correct training. Once the horse is more comfortable with the bit they will become more receptive to your aids and be happier to follow your instructions with less evasions as communication has become much clearer, so training will progress quicker.
There are many more ways a horse will exhibit evasions, not all are bit related, they could be signs of something else, such as saddle fit, sharp teeth, soreness in the body, low level lameness. So please make sure your horse has regular dental check ups and saddle fitting.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, or would like to learn about getting your horse into a consistent contact, please send me a message to book a bitting consultation or combined contact training session. Bit fitting consultations covering: Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, London.
Equine Bitting Solutions- Promoting Harmony and Connection With Your Horse ❤️
