| Bridling a horse is usually the last step of tacking up a | | | | move it behind the horses chin so it won't slip into his |
| horse. The horse should already be saddled and | | | | mouth. |
| secured to a hitch posting, cross-tie, or perhaps a | | | | When inserting the bit into the horse's mouth it's very |
| trailer with a halter and lead rope. | | | | important not to bump or bang the bit against the |
| Next, I will remove the halter from the horses head | | | | horses teeth or lips. This can be painful to the horse |
| and tie or fasten it around the horse neck (but not too | | | | and cause you and the horse frustration. You may |
| tight). This helps to prevent the horse from wandering | | | | need to encourage your horse to open his mouth by |
| off while you're putting the bridle on. | | | | using your left thumb and while holding the front of the |
| Most people like to stand on the horse's left side to | | | | bit with your fingers, insert you thumb into the corner of |
| bridle a horse. | | | | his mouth. In most cases, this will cause the horse to |
| Check your bridle to make sure the throat latch is | | | | open his mouth. |
| unbuckled and that the bit is properly position for | | | | Now that the bit is in his mouth, the slip the top part of |
| inserting into the horse's mouth. I also like to make sure | | | | the bridle over the horse's ears. I usually fold the right |
| the bit is clean and smooth with no traces of grass or | | | | ear under and then the left ear. If necessary, adjust |
| hay on the mouth piece. | | | | the length of the face strap so there are one or two |
| With the crown piece of the bridle (also called | | | | wrinkles in the skin at the corner of the horse's mouth. |
| headstall) in your right hand, place your right arm or | | | | Adjust and buckle the throat latch under the horse's |
| wrist between the horse's ears. This will help | | | | neck. I like to see about two fingers width between the |
| encourage the horse to drop its head. It will also put | | | | leather strap and throat. |
| your right hand in a good spot to lift and guide the | | | | Bridling a horse correctly and comfortably is very |
| bridle. | | | | important. I would also check to make sure the brow |
| Then, use your left hand to place the bit at the horse's | | | | band of the bridle is not pinching the horse ears and |
| mouth or lips. If your using a curb strap or chain, then | | | | that the bit is fitting comfortably in the horse's mouth. |