Going bitless

Nothing in Beetle's mouth (except treats)

I’ve long suspected that Beetle hates the bit - the metal piece of the bridle that goes in his mouth. Trying to make it work, I had a bit fitter come out and change him to a very gentle bit, a bridle fitter check on our setup, and a fancy dentist to look at his toofuses. Still, he hated the bit.

How could I tell? Beetle lets his thoughts be known! When I would try to bridle him, he would raise his head really high and back up to try to avoid it, and once the bridle was on he would shake his head. One theory was he was just trying to get out of our lesson, but he let me bring him in from the pasture without an issue, and didn’t mind the saddle. If he didn’t want to have a lesson with me, he would avoid me and the saddle as well, not just the bridle.

Another theory was he didn’t like the bridle going over his head. It can be a lot coming at a horse at once. I didn’t think that was it though, because he never minded the halter going over his head. That eliminated everything except the bit.

I bought a bitless converter for my bridle, and on Thursday I took the bit off his bridle and put the new noseband on. The reins attach to this noseband rather than to a bit in his mouth.

I went to put my newly converted bridle on Beetle. At first he raised his head up and clearly didn’t want the bridle put on him. I showed him there was no bit, and I wasn’t asking him to open his mouth. The second he realized that, he dropped his head down low and easily took the bridle. His whole body relaxed!

I did groundwork with him instead of riding him, as it can often take several sessions for a horse to get used to a bitless bridle and listen to the more subtle cues. Beetle was actually MORE responsive with the bitless setup, he clearly preferred it. That settled it, no more bits for Beetle. He doesn't want anything in his mouth except treats!

I’m so glad I listened to Beetle, I only wish I had done it sooner. Every day I learn more about him! I know he likes: treats, hay, his horse friend Joey. He hates: bits, and the sound of water from a hose. That’s my Beetle!