How to Put a Bit in a Horse's Mouth

Make sure your horse is secured by cross-ties.

Undo the halter, and refasten it about the horse's neck so that the halter is fastened around the horse's neck without the horse's muzzle going through the cavasan or noseband.

Hold your bridle by the cheeks with your right hand, making sure the browband is facing forward, so that it will be facing away from the horse.

Place the reins over the horse's head. Doing this ensures that should your horse manage to free himself from the cross-ties, you still have something to grab, keeping the horse from escaping.

Lift the bridle so that the bit is positioned below the horse's mouth.

Insert your thumb inside the back of horse's mouth and press down on the bar of the mouth. The bar is located at the back of the horse's mouth behind the last of the horse's teeth. The pressure of your thumb on the bar will cause the horse to open his mouth.

Lift the bridle higher, and guide the bit into the mouth with your left hand. Be careful not to keep your left hand in the mouth or it will get bitten when the horse closes his teeth.

Insert the horse's ears into the crown, fasten the throat latch (do not do this too tightly-you should be able to insert 2 fingers), and you are done putting the bit into the horse's mouth.