We own a beautiful and sweet Golden Palamino mare that is 8 years old.  We have only owned her 8 months.  From day one that we've had her, she's been stubborn off and on about taking the bit, but eventually taking it.  Once she has taken the bit, there's no problems, but it's a struggle sometimes to get her to take it.  Today is the first, but this afternoon she refused to take the bit altogether.  In fact, my husband is still working with her and it's been 3 hours. When we've had problems in the past we've tried sugar, salt, molasses, a lead rope through her mouth, and just our finger (both rubbing her tongue and the roof of her mouth).  These things have worked a couple of times, but does not work anymore, and has not today.  My husband even tried trotting her in between attempts, but she refuses and keeps her mouth tight until we drop the bit, then she relaxes.  We don't think its because she's got a tough mouth because once she takes the bit, she's fine and rides like a dream.  Our Godkids came to visit for four days and she took the bit three days in a row without a hitch, then the fourth day was somewhat stubborn about it, but took it.  We just don't get it and unfortunately don't know her history but we've tried to be as gentle, yet firm, with her as possible.  My husband is ready to sell her, but I'm commited to work with her everyday for the next two weeks to see if I can get her to take the bit; however, I'm afraid with her being 8 years old...it will be hopeless.  We just don't know her history, however, we do know when we first got her she was more leary of my husband than me so I don't think she's had a pleasant experience with men in the past.  She now loves my husband and even comes to him from the pasture, however, she doesn't love either one of enough to take her bit. 

Any ideas to help save this beautiful mare?  If we sell her, I don't want her to end up in mean or heavy hands.  She's too sweet and gentle for that.  She just has this one frustrating issue, but a big issue when it comes to wanting to ride her.  I need helpful ideas?  She's great with people and kids and gets along very well with our other 3 horses.  Her previous owner also stated that she talked to the other mares and babies so I know she would be a good Mom too.

Help---I'll take any advice at this point.

No we haven't tried a hackamore or sidepull.  We only have 4 horses and all take their bit so that is all we own.  In fact, when my husband bought her she was using a bit so it never occurred to us she might need anything else . . . .

We have had all of our horses to the vet (in April) to have their shots, their teeth floated and checked.  The vet didn't say anything, of course we didn't specifically say that we had a problem with her taking her bit.  Again, once she takes the bit, she relaxes, eats, and rides fine. 

My young horse started locking his jaw and putting his nose up in the air.Cross tied him, left the halter on, put a surcingle on him, upside down, hooked a lead shank to the bottom of the halter, then looped it thru one of the rings under his belly on the surcingle. When he lifted his head and found out he couldn't raise it any higher he brought it back down. I held the bit right at the end of his mouth just to his lips and finally he opened his mouth. I praised him, then took it out again and repeated it. I did this every night for a week and now he is fine.

She sounds like a nice mare, worth not giving up on. Good luck with her and keep us posted as to how your doing with her.

Thank you all for your response and advice.  I'll try anything because she is a nice mare and gets along very well with our other boys (geldings).  I don't want to sell her and certainly if we do, don't want her to go to anyone who will mistreat her because of this. 

Thanks again . . . hope to keep you posted on the results.

Something no one has addressed is what method are you using to bridle her?  If yu are just holding the bit by her mouth and expect her to open it for you, I can see why you'd have trouble. I was taught way back in my 4H days this bridling method and it's never failed me yet:

Stand by the horse's head, hold the upper part of the bridle in your right hand, slip your first and 2nd fingers in front of the bit and as you lift the bridle up to the horse's ears, use your thumb and last 2 fingers to put pressure on the horse's jaw/teeth - you push in and it forces them to open their mouth.  Use your right hand to pull the headstall up, over their ears, etc.  You also use your right hand to press down on their poll, which keeps their head lowered. 

Once you get used to this method, it all becomes one  smooth motion and you can pretty much bridle any horse.

This is slightly different than what we are doing.  I'll try this method. 

I'll also have her teeth checked again . . . I'd like to be sure to rule out all possibilities of her mouth or teeth being injured.  The horses do play and they play hard sometimes.

Thanks again!

By the way, my husband did that with making her trot in between trying to give her the bit.  Either she didn't make the connection or she didn't care.

I've gotten some really good advice from all of you...checking her teeth, making her work, and even the fruit roll-up are all options I need to do.  All of your comments are helpful and I will try every one.  Although my husband wasn't convinced that she would do well with a hackamore, maybe I can convince him when all else fails.  

If I can't make any of these work I'll unfortunately be looking for a buyer but I really hope to give her the best chance possible.  Thanks again!

Check the fit of the bit.  It may be the wrong size and pinch or poke her. 

My old mare fights taking the bit so we put her in a hackamore.  No more fighting and she does great.