How to Get a Horse to Lower Its Head for Bridling

A horse bridle consists of a bit that connects to reins and is used by riders to direct a horse where to go when they are moving. In order to place a bridle on a horse, it must be trained to lower its head on cue with a halter and a lead-rope. Once the horse learns to lower its head when you tell it to do so, you can get it to lower its head for bridling.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead-rope with snap attachment
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Put your horse in an area where it is calm and relaxed, such as its stall. Place a rope halter onto the horse's head.

    • 2

      Stand at the side of the horse. Attach the lead-rope to the halter. Put one hand two inches down from the snap located at the end of the lead-rope. Pull the lead-rope straight down with one pound of pressure. When done correctly, the horse will not step forward or backward.

    • 3

      When the horse lowers its head, let go of the rope and stroke it softly on the neck to reward it and help the horse understand that it did the right thing. If you find the horse attempts to raise its head while you are pulling down on the lead-rope, do not reward it by stroking its neck, and do not let go of the lead-rope. Keep pulling the lead-rope down until it lowers its head slightly.

    • 4

      Wait five seconds, and then pull down on the lead-rope again. Continue pulling down on the lead-rope and stroking its neck until the horse lowers its head within one second of you pulling down the lead-rope. Repeat this process until the horse responds each time you pull down on the lead-rope. Once it automatically lowers its head when you pull down on the lead-rope you have trained it enough to get it to lower its head for bridling.

    • 5

      Stand on the left side of the horse. Locate the interdental space in the horse's mouth, which is the gap between the front and back teeth on the upper and lower jaws of the animal. This is where the bit of the bridle sits in the horse's mouth.

    • 6

      Pull down on the lead-rope to get the horse to lower its head. Move your arm over the horse's neck, and hold the bridle loosely on the other side of the horse. Remove the halter from its head, and place it around the neck to keep the horse near you.

    • 7

      Hold onto the top of the bridle's head stall, which is the area of the bridle that fits over the horse's head in your right hand. Hold the bit with a finger and thumb on your left hand to stabilize it, and slowly move the bit into the horse's mouth. Insert a finger into the interdental space of the mouth to encourage it to open, then gently insert the bit into the space.

    • 8

      Adjust the bridle to fit the horse's head correctly.