GREAT advice from Champhorse.

Your boy is now 3 and could very well be having some tooth issues - does he still have his wolf teeth or maybe they are just now coming in?  They play havoc with any kind of bit

I would also bet that someone was not nice to him when putting the bit in or taking it out.  Trainers can often get impatient and resort to being rough because "time is money" and they need to get their job done so they can move on to the next horse

Once you've resolved that his teeth are fine, CHAMPhorse gave you some terrific re-training ideas.

Just be sure to reserve lots of time and don't plan on un-doing the damage in even a few days.

If the issues don't clear up, there's always a hackamore or a bitless bridle unless you need a bit for showing

Yep I agree great advice there. You might also want to try one of those happy mouth apple flavored bits ( I know sounds nuts) but they actually do taste like apple a lil bit. (I'm blonde it said apple flavored when i bought it so i had to see). As was said if it wasn't his teeth its probably where someone got impatient and jammed the bit in his mouth.

Good luck and best wishes. I wouldn't advise reusing the trainer again.

~Ree

Glad you've had his teeth checked out. I had the same problem with my Arab (classic Arab behavior.)  Have you tried dipping the bit in molasses before you put it in? Sometimes the most simple solutions are the best.

I also switched to a french link snaffle for my mare, who also hated her bit. She loved the French link, never gave me a problem after that.

Time and patience goes a really long way & the carrot (or in this case molasses) works way better than the stick.

Good luck and let us know what finally works.

I too have used honey on the bit with good results.  Also there are rubber coated bits that I have seen in State Line Tack catalog that some folks swear by. 

Anne0135 .... I have Arabs too, know where you are coming from.  I read with interest about the french link snaffle you have used, I will keep that in mind this spring when I start breaking my 4yr old.  Thanks.

Beth, you have Arabs? Then you are familiar with the "how to bitt a kangaroo' routine. ;)  It's such fun.

I've seen the rubber bits and was going to go in that direction but I went with the french link instead. My mouthy arab mare who hated the snaffle (how do you hate a snaffle bitt?? she's such a drama queen.) Anyway, she actually took a liking to this french link. You'd think she was having a love affair with the thing.  

Honestly, it's a really great bit (now she just hates her figure 8 bridle) but that's another story. she's a bolter so that's going to stay until she reaches her next birthday.

By the way, loved your quote, from the other thread, "there is no right way to do the wrong thing." Amen.

Anne

Thanks........I love that quote too.....it just about says it all doesn't it?  Also, I think there is a genetic link between Arabians and kangaroos !

Let me add something to this thread that I came across the other day.  I have been training a young 4 yr old Morgan for some folks along with their 12 yr old daughter.  This horse is very hard to bit also but I believe that he has wolf teeth that have not emerged yet but are just enough under the skin to cause him irritation when bridling.  This horse is from an old Morgan bloodline and he also has a nice pair of canine teeth.  I have not seen canine teeth in a horse since my old pony died when I was a kid.  Anne, do you think there is a connection?

Beth, I now think there is also a genetic link between camels! My friend saw me feeding one the other day and as he (the horse) was vacuuming up a handful of feed off the scoop he said, "look at his lip, he's got a lip like a camel!" Ho ho ho. I wanted to clock him. A camel??? This is an Arab, you moron! Then I thought about it. Have you ever checked out their lips when they're Hoovering something up?? He does have a point, sadly. Not a every glamorous one, I might add. ;)

As far as your Morgan problem. Yes I would say it could definately be the teeth. Your instincts are probably right in that he is sore. Although at 4 his wolf teeth should have already come in, no? I'm not sure how it is with Morgans but I'd think he'd be past that by now and you might he dealing with his molars.

Also, I have never seen a horse with canines. That's very unique. ;) Have you had the owners have  a "horse dentist" come look at him? Tell them that they must! You can also call a vet but only if they are certified in dentistry. THere are some real hacks out there ("Oh sure, I can float their teeth.") They do real damage.

If you see the canines, they are probably sharp and probably need to be filed down. (Run your finger over the tooth in question and see if it feels like theres a sharp edge jutting out.) I know my mare has a molar that is now coming in sharp so I have to get my vet in to file it down. $$$$ One thing a friend of mine does is feed her horses whole corn. It acts like a "sander." I'm afraid my horses would colic but it might work on that morgan.

Let me know what happens.

Also, take a look at this link. I just did a quick search:  http://www.yourhorseshealth.com/health_care/dental_care.html.  let me know what happens. :)

Anne

p.s.  be sure to contact a certified, legit DENTIST w/proper training - not some fly-by-night who thought it'd be cool to work w/power tools or your shoer who thought it's easy to "float" teeth.  Get references.  There are GREAT ones out there, just as there are idiots....