Trouble getting the bridle off
Today’s horse training question comes from Tia. She writes: “I have a 3 year old gelding I am working with and he is just getting over his head shyness. It used to be near impossible to get a bridle on because he didn’t want you touching his ears and face. However, he is finally getting over that problem, but now when I go to take the bridle off he wants to rub his head on me in the process. This makes it hard to get the bridle off easily and smoothly. I usually hit him with the heel of my hand on his neck when he does and then try and proceed to get the bridle off, but I am afraid he might start to become head shy again. Do you have any suggestions on how to stop his annoying behavior and get the bridle off smoothly? Thanks.”
Tia, first off, nice job getting as far as you have in helping your gelding get over his head shyness. When he tries to rub his head on you when you are taking the bridle off, I think he is trying to hurry the process. What I’d like you to try is every time he starts throwing his head around, hold the bridle exactly where it was when he started moving his head. Don’t continue taking it off until his head is quiet. You don’t have to punish him, just stick with him and try not to let him get away from the bridle until he holds his head still. You can even slip it back on over his ears if you are having trouble holding it in place part way. What you are trying to communicate to him is that the bridle only comes off when his head is quiet. He will eventually learn that he actually gets rid of the bridle faster when he holds his head still.
Thank you for your horse training question, and please let us know how you are doing!
