A bridle gives you the ability to cue the horse, letting it know what you want it to do.Bridling is easy once you understand it.Taking care that the bridle doesn't make the horse uncomfortable is part of successfully bridling a horse.
Step 1: You need to make sure you have the correct bridle size.
If this is the first time you're using this bit on this horse, you should make sure you use a proper sized bridle.The horse will be uncomfortable if it is the wrong size.There are three sizes of Bridles: pony, cob, and full.Measure your horse's head from the poll to the corner of his mouth and compare it to his crown and cheek piece.It can pinch the horse's mouth if the bit is too small.If the bit is too small it will get stuck in the horse's mouth.An over-sized jointed bit can cause pain to the roof of the horse's mouth.
Step 2: The main part is around the horse's neck.
Let the noseband hang.The horse won't get in the way of the bridle if you have something to keep it in check.Don't tie the horse up when you do this.
Step 3: Pick up the bridle.
Pick it up from the crownpiece in your left hand.Move the small straps to the outside of the cheekpieces so they don't get tangled.
Step 4: The reins should be over the horse's neck.
Step 5: The bridle is held by two hands.
Hold it in your right hand.With the crown up and the throatlatch straps hanging free, hold the bridle so that the two sides are a good distance apart.Take up all the reins so that you don't create loops for your horse to step in and keep the straps off the ground
Step 6: The horse should drop his head.
Once he does, hold the bit in the palm of your left hand, with your right forearm parallel to the horse's top of his neck.If you must, insert your thumb into the horse's mouth and press the bit next to the teeth.If your horse won't lower his head or accept the bit, you can stick your thumb in the back of its mouth and make it open.They could be offered a treat while offering the bit.Hold the bridle in your right arm with the crown of it near the horse's ears, and rest its bit and stick your thumb in the back of its mouth or a treat.If you choose to do it this way, slip the bit into the horse's mouth with a treat.Hold the treats low, where you have been holding them.Set it against your horse's teeth as close to where her lower teeth are as possible.The sugar cube should be held against the bit.Before you put the bit in their mouth, make sure you hold the crown up and ready to slip on.Before you put the bridle's crown over their ears, make sure you have the bit in.
Step 7: The crown of the bridle should be put over the horse's ears.
The horse doesn't want the bit to come out of his mouth.Do not crush the horse's ears.It is necessary to slip one ear under the crown.Reward your horse for being good with a treat.This is not required for a calm horse.
Step 8: The brow band should be adjusted.
The brow band should rest against the horse's forehead.The base of the horse's ears should be set 1-2" below it.To make sure it's straight, check from the front.To make sure everything is straight, adjust the headstall and cheek pieces while you're adjusting the brow band.Look at the bridle head-on to double check.
Step 9: Buckle the throatlatch.
The throatlatch isn't there to hold the bridle in place, and should be buckled with enough slack for 4 fingers to slide between it and the horse's neck.The throatlatch is put in place to make sure the bridle doesn't fall off.Even if the horse drops his head, the throatlatch needs to be loose enough to maintain slack.Make sure you can fit 4 fingers between the throatlatch and the horse.Imagine it as a necklace to remember how loose the throatlatch should be.
Step 10: Take a look at the fit of the bridle.
The brow band should be in the correct position, so it won't be pinching your horse's ears or head.The bit should be in your horse's mouth.There should be two lines on the side of your horse's mouth.You need to shorten the cheek straps if you have too little wrinkling.It needs to sit evenly on your horse's head.The rest of the headstall is even if you have to adjust the cheek strap.
Step 11: Once you are satisfied with the positioning of the bridle, remove the halter.
The halter should be removed from the remaining cross-tie.Remove the halter and untie the lead rope from the horse's neck.The length of your reins should be checked at this time.You need to be able to take up contact with your horse's mouth.
Step 12: Take the reins out of the horse's neck and put them in your hand.
At their cheek, lead them on their left.The reins are six inches below the bit.The bight should be in your left hand.
Step 13: Western style riding is more informal.
It is more common in the U.S. for people to use Western style riding for rodeos and ranching than in other countries.If you are worried about falling off the Western saddle has a horn where you can hold on.It can help you to feel balanced.
Step 14: Make sure you have the correct bridle size.
If you're using this bit for the first time on a horse, you want to make sure you use the right bridle.The horse will be uncomfortable if it's the wrong size.There are three sizes of bridles: pony, cob, and full.Measure your horse's head from the poll to the corner of his mouth and compare it to his crown and cheek piece of the bridle.It can pinch the horse's mouth if the bit is too small.The bit will slide in the horse's mouth if it is too big.
Step 15: Make sure the horse is calm.
A horse will make you nervous.It can be nerve-racking for a horse to have someone put something in their mouth.
Step 16: Make sure your horse is secured.
You need to make sure that your horse is protected.You haven't yet buckled the bridle, so this means anticipating the moment when they are halter-free.You have to be able to keep hold of your horse.The front of the brow band should be away from the horse if you want a tie station.Put the reins over their neck.Drop your left rein over the horse's neck and it will fall on the right.Drop the right rein to make it fall on the left.The bridle should slip back on your arm.Lift the crown of the halter over the horse's ears and remove the nose band from their face.Place the crown behind their ears.Attach the halter to the horse's neck.The bridle reins can be used if you don't have a tie station.For split reins, tie them together and lift the reins over the horse's head.Lift the crown of the horse's head and remove the nose band.
Step 17: The horse should drop their head.
You can make them head with a piece of apple or sugar cube.Put your hand below their nose and give them a treat.You'll put the bit in when they drop their head.You need to grasp the crown of the bridle in your right hand.You should be in line with your horse's left eye and right ear.
Step 18: The treat will get into your horse's mouth.
Hold the treats low, where you have been holding them.Set it against your horse's teeth as close as possible to her lower teeth.The sugar cube should be held against the bit.Before putting the crown on their ears, make sure you put the bit in.You need to hold the crown of the bridle up in order to slip it on.Hold the bridle so that the two sides are a good distance apart, with the crown up and the throatlatch straps hanging free.
Step 19: The crown needs to be slipped over their ears.
You should not crush your horse's ears.As you slip the crown to the poll, lift the horse's left ear.Place the horse's ear in front of the crown.Push the horse's ears forward.If the bridle has earloops, position them around your horse's ears.
Step 20: Give your horse something to eat.
Make sure you reward your horse for good behavior.They will be encouraged to accept the bit and bridle.Sugar cubes are a good treat to have on hand if they want to play with the bit.
Step 21: Once the main part of the bridle is on the horse, remove the halter.
Step 22: Buckle the throatlatch.
The throatlatch isn't there to hold the bridle in place.It's an extra precautionary measure against the bridle coming off.Even if the horse drops their head, the throatlatch needs to be loose enough to maintain slack.Make sure you can fit your entire hand between the throatlatch and the horse.
Step 23: The bridle's fit should be checked.
The brow band needs to be in the correct position.It won't be pinching your horse's ears.The bit is in your horse's mouth.There should be two lines on the side of your horse's mouth.You need to shorten the cheek straps.It needs to sit evenly on your horse's head.Check that the rest of the headstall is still even if you have to adjust the cheek strap.If that isn't fixed, Buckle the curb chain or chin strap.You should check the length of your reins at this time.The length of time that you can take up contact with your horse's mouth is important.
Step 24: Take your reins out of your hand.
At their cheek, lead them on their left.The reins are six inches below the bit.You should keep the bight in your left hand.Hold six inches below the bit.The reins are in your left hand.
Step 25: There is a horse that objects to the bit.
The reason a horse objects to something is often misunderstanding.They aren't usually trying to be naughty, but something about the bit makes them uncomfortable.It's possible that the bit has the wrong taste.The taste of copper is what makes horses prefer it over other bits.You should watch out for pits and sharp edges because copper bits degrade more quickly than other types.The bit may be too cold.You wouldn't want someone to put something in your mouth.Your horse doesn't.Before you put it in their mouth, try to warm up the bit between your hands.
Step 26: Train your horse to open their mouth.
Sometimes your horse won't open their mouth, because the bit is too cold, or has the wrong taste, but sometimes a little training can make it so they will do as you have.Make sure you reinforce the behavior you want to see from them.Your horse should be comfortable with the cue.Pick a cue to get your horse to open their mouth.Touch them to give your horse the cue.Say "yes" to them and they will associate that touch with good behavior.As you take your fingers away, please give your horse a treat.Your horse will get a treat if you show them.Have your horse secured.Walk to the left side of the horse's head, so that you can see him.You should be facing the same direction as your horse.There is a treat in your hand.Give your horse the cue and say "open" while pressing two fingers on their lower lip.Say "yes" and give your horse the treat.If it seems like your horse has gotten the picture, repeat these steps about four or five times.Place your fingers under his upper lip, only this time you maintain slight but consistent pressure.Give your horse a treat when he opens his mouth.Practice until they get it.Put something in your horse's mouth.Attach the bridle to the bit and show your horse.Allow your horse to sniff it.Give your horse the cue, as you did above.Put the bit in the horse's mouth.Give them a treat by removing the bit.
Step 27: Don't let your horse get nervous.
Maintaining calm is one of the keys to properly bridling your horse.A nervous horse might try to bite, toss their heads, strike out with their hooves, or escape.Don't bridle your horse until they calm down.This can cause a horse to become nervous or anxious, so don't flick her with the reins around her eyes and ears.