When riding, the bridles offer the possibility to guide the movements of the horse, allowing the animal to understand what are the signals transmitted by the rider. Harnessing can be confusing at first, but once learned it will be a pretty easy task. To do this effectively, it is necessary to ensure that the bridle does not bother the horse.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the English Bridle
Step 1. Check that the bridle is the correct size
If this is your first time using a bit on a particular horse, you should make sure it is the right size. If the size is wrong, the horse will not feel comfortable.
- The bridles are generally of three sizes: pony, cob and full. Measure the horse's head from the center of the mane to the corner of the mouth and compare this length to the length between the headboard and the uprights.
- If the bit is too small, it can tighten the horse's mouth.
- If the bite is too large, it will slip out of the mouth. Even a bite with a curved or jointed cannon that is too large in size can cause pain or damage to the animal's palate.
Step 2. Apply the halter so that the main part is around the horse's neck (leave the nosepiece hanging)
This way you will have something that allows you to keep the horse in control, but that will not hinder the application of the bridle. Don't keep the horse tied up when doing this.
Step 3. Take the bridle and place it
Take it from the headboard (top) with your left hand, leaving the rest hanging. Move all the small straps to the outside of the posts so they don't get tangled.
Step 4. Run the reins over the horse's neck
Step 5. Switch hands to hold the bridle
Now grab them with your right.
- Hold the bridle so as to separate the two sides that make it up, with the headboard and chin straps detached and not tangled with other straps.
- Try to take all the reins so as not to create knots when you go to apply them to the horse and avoid all the straps reaching the ground.
Step 6. Have the horse lower its head to introduce the bit
When bowing, hold the bite in the palm of your left hand, with the right forearm parallel to the top of the neck (the hand should be right next to the ears). Gently place the bit close to the horse's teeth and, if necessary, insert your thumb inside the mouth to encourage the animal to open it.
- If the horse doesn't lower its head or refuse the bit, give it a small reward as you put it on. Hold the bridle on your right arm by bringing the headboard close to his ears, while holding the bite and a morsel (a bit of apple or a sugar cube) in the palm of your hand.
- Put the bite in the mouth along with the reward. Lower the bite where you give it a morsel, gently inserting it on the teeth where the upper dental arch meets the lower one. Hold the sugar cube against the bite.
- Make sure you hold the headboard in your hand and prepare to put it on before putting the bite in your mouth.
- The bit should be applied before placing the bridle headboard over the ears.
Step 7. Slide the bridle bridle over the horse's ears
It is best to keep light pressure on the bit so that the horse does not eject it from the mouth. Try not to pinch your ears. Gently tuck one ear and then the other under the headboard.
Offer the horse a prize to reward him for his good behavior. It is optional and probably not necessary for a calm, used horse
Step 8. Adjust the front
The front should always rest against the horse's forehead with ease. It should be located 2.5 to 5 cm below the base of the ears. Check the front to make sure it is straight and does not pinch the horse's ears.
As you adjust the front, adjust the headboard and uprights, making sure everything is in place. Check a second time, looking at the front of the bridle
Step 9. Fasten the chin strap
The chin strap is not used to hold the bridle in place. It must be fastened leaving a 4-finger play between the strap that composes it and the horse's neck. This is an extra precaution that prevents the bridle from falling off. This implies that the chin strap must be loose enough for it to hold play, even if the horse lowers its head.
Make sure you can put 4 fingers between the chinstrap and the crotch, even when the animal lowers its head. To remind you how soft it should be, compare the chin strap to a necklace
Step 10. Check that the bridle fits snugly
The front should be in the correct position, not compressing the horse's forehead (so it should not pinch the ears or the head). Check that the bite is placed evenly inside the mouth. There should be two creases on both corners of the mouth. If you see too many, you will need to shorten the strut straps.
Make sure you have placed the bridle evenly on the horse's head. If you need to adjust the uprights, check that the rest of the headboard doesn't move
Step 11. Remove the halter once you are satisfied with how you have positioned the bridle
Unhook the halter from the rest of the straps. Untie the rope from the horse's neck, then unfasten and remove the halter.
It's time to check the length of the reins. They need to be long enough to allow you to maintain contact with the horse's mouth
Step 12. Hold the horse by pulling the reins off the neck and picking them up in your hand
Move them to the left, at the level of the cheeks. Hold the reins with your right hand about 20 cm below the bit.
Grasp them to form a loop with your left hand
Method 2 of 3: Using the Western Bridles
Step 1. Choose western riding for less formal riding
People tend to use this type of riding in rodeos and farms. This is a style that is more common in the United States than in other countries, so you may find it difficult to obtain harnesses suitable for this type of riding if you live in places that give preference to English riding.
An interesting aspect of the western saddle is the fact that it is equipped with the horn, which is a part that you can grab to get on the back if you are an experienced rider
Step 2. Check that the bridle is the correct size
If this is your first time using a bit on a particular horse, you should make sure it is the right size. If the size is wrong, the horse will not feel comfortable.
- The bridles are generally of three sizes: pony, cob and full. Measure the horse's head from the center of the mane to the corner of the mouth, and compare this length to the length between the headboard and the uprights.
- If the bit is too small, it can tighten the horse's mouth.
- If the bite is too large, it will slip out of the mouth.
Step 3. Make sure both you and the horse are both calm
A horse can sense fear and, therefore, get nervous. Also, remember that it can be exhausting for him to have someone stick something metallic in his mouth.
Step 4. Tie the horse
You need to make sure it's tied up. This way, you will be able to manage the moment when he is free from the halter and still does not have the bridle fastened. You must be able to control and maintain the horse's grip.
- Once tied, hold the bridle so that the front of the front is facing forward (away from the horse). Slide the reins around your neck so that the left one falls to the right and the right one falls to the left. Slip the bridle into your arm. Lift the head of the halter over the horse's ears and insert the nose piece around the animal's muzzle. Bring up the headboard and lay it behind your ears. Re-attach the halter so that it fits properly around the neck.
- If you don't have a specific point to tie the horse to, use the reins of the bridle to maintain control of the horse. If you have a separate pair of reins, tie them together and lift them onto the horse's head, just behind the ears. Also lift the head of the halter over the ears and insert the nose piece around the horse's muzzle.
Step 5. Have the horse lower its head
You can offer him a piece of apple or a lump of sugar to make this move. Put your right hand under your nose along with the reward. The moment you lower your head you need to apply the bite.
Grab the bridle head with your right hand. Tilt it in line with the animal's left eye and right ear
Step 6. Put the bit into the horse's mouth along with the reward
Lower the bite where you offer the treat, gently inserting it on the teeth where the upper dental arch meets the lower one. Hold the sugar cube against the bite.
- The bit should be applied before placing the bridle headboard over the ears.
- Hold the bridle head so that it fits before putting the bit into your mouth.
- Hold the bridle so as to separate the two sides that make it up, with the headboard and chin straps detached and not tangled with other straps.
Step 7. Apply light pressure to the headboard while tucking it over your ears
Be careful not to pinch the horse's ears. Slide the bridle over the animal's left ear while inserting it over the mane. Gently tuck your right ear into the headboard as well. Gently push the horse's ears forward rather than back.
If the bridle has ear loops instead of the front, place them around the horse's ears at this point
Step 8. Offer the horse a reward to reward him for his good behavior
Always be sure to reward him when he behaves well. You will encourage him to be patient and accept the bit and bridle.
The sugar also encourages him to play with the bite, so the cubes are a great reward to have on hand when you need to harness him
Step 9. Remove the halter once you have placed the main part of the bridle on the horse
Step 10. Fasten the chin strap
Remember that the chin strap is not used to keep the bridle in place. This is an extra precaution that prevents the bridle from falling off. This means that it must be slow enough for it to keep play, even if the horse lowers its head.
Make sure you can put your whole hand between the chinstrap and the crotch, even when the animal lowers its head towards the neck
Step 11. Check that the bridle fits well
The front should be in the correct position, without compressing the horse's forehead. In practice, he must not pinch his ears or his head. Check that the bite is placed evenly inside the mouth. There should be two creases on both corners of the mouth. If you see too many, you will need to shorten the strut straps.
- Make sure you have placed the bridle evenly on the horse's head. If you need to adjust the uprights, check that the rest of the headboard doesn't move.
- Fasten the chain or chin strap if it is not closed.
- It's time to check the length of the reins. They need to be long enough to allow you to maintain contact with the horse's mouth.
Step 12. Gather the reins in your right hand
Pass them to the left of the horse, at the level of the cheeks. Hold the reins with your right hand about 20 cm below the bit. Grasp them in a loop with your left hand, always keeping them about 20 cm below the bite.
Keep the reins soft with your left hand
Method 3 of 3: Tricks in Case of Problems
Step 1. Handle a horse that shows resistance to bit application
There can often be a misunderstanding behind the rejection. This is not disobedience, but something that could annoy the horse in the bit.
- It may have an unpleasant taste. Horses tend to prefer copper bites over other types of metal due to the flavor. Unfortunately, copper deteriorates more quickly, so you should check your bite regularly for any formations of holes and sharp edges.
- It might be too cold. You certainly don't like the idea of someone sticking a cold piece of metal into your mouth. The same goes for the horse. Try warming it up in your hands before applying it.
Step 2. Train the horse to open its mouth to introduce the bit
Sometimes the horse does not open its mouth because the bit is too cold or has an unpleasant taste. However, a little training can lead him to respect your will. Just remember to encourage the behavior you want to engage in.
- Teach him to become familiar with the signals you send him. Get the horse to understand the signal to open his mouth. You could touch him, associating this gesture with the adverb "yes" to indicate that he has done well. Give him a reward when you take your hands away.
- Prove to the horse that he will receive a reward. Tie it up or make it stand still. Approach your head from the left side and walk so that it can see you. Put yourself in a perspective that allows you to face the same direction as the animal. Hold the reward in your left hand. Give him the signal, saying "open", while lightly pushing two fingers on his lower lip. Say "yes" and remove your fingers, giving the horse the reward.
- Repeat these steps four or five times, or until they seem to understand your behavior.
- Now repeat the gestures described so far, only this time try to maintain light but constant pressure and place your fingers just below the upper lip. When he opens his mouth, say "yes" and give him the reward. Train him until he has mastered the maneuver well.
- Have the horse allow you to put the bit in its mouth. To begin with, show it separated from the bridle. Let her smell it and touch it with your lips. Then repeat the previous steps, giving him the signal. Insert the bite into the mouth when it opens. Remove it and offer him the reward.
Step 3. Prevent the horse from getting nervous
One of the secrets to properly harnessing a horse is to keep calm, both on the part of the animal and the rider. If they fidget, they may try to bite, shake their head, hit with their hooves, or try to escape. If he is very restless, do not harness him until he has calmed down.
Avoid mounting the reins quickly, especially around the eyes and ears, as these movements could make him nervous or anxious
Advice
- When you put your fingers in the horse's mouth, push them towards the back where there are no teeth, to prevent them from biting you. When you press, the blow itself will make him open his mouth.
- If you have a problem horse, try raising its head and pinching the base of its ears - this should lower it. If it's okay, place one hand on the muzzle and the other on the base of the ears. Shake his head gently and say "down!" in a decisive way. It should react positively.
- Usually, regardless of the type of bridle, the reins must go above the horse's head.
- When buying new bridles, it is always better to have a few more holes to shorten or lengthen them as the leather expands over time, otherwise you will have to change the bit.
- Horses tend to accept the bit more easily if they associate it with something good, like a reward or a good taste. Then, put some honey on it or rub some mint on it - the horse will like it more easily.
- Stay relaxed and don't stress yourself out. You can always re-adjust the bridle.
Warnings
- Don't let the reins fall to the ground. If stepped on by the horse, they could quickly tangle up, endangering both of them.
- Never tie a horse using the bridle. The leather is not strong enough to withstand the tearing of the horse, and if the bridle breaks, the metal parts could become dangerous.
- Horses can sometimes be unpredictable. If you have to harness one, know that you are dealing with its teeth, so proceed with caution.
- Avoid walking behind a horse unless you are at a safe distance. If you have to keep his hooves, stand next to him.
