Horse puts head up high when it's time to bridle

[NewHorseMom]

My horse has started being really bad about putting the bridle over his ears. He is totally fine when I put the bit in his mouth, but then as soon as I get near the ears to bring the headstall over, he pins his ears and raises his head way out of reach. It's been progressively getting worse as time goes on and I am not really sure what the steps are to correct this. It seems like it is already out of hand. help!

[striderrider]

It sounds like he is acting really head-shy about his ears. What you need to ask yourself is why he is doing this. Has he always done this and now it is progressively getting worse? Or has he been fine in the past and it's a new thing? If it's a new thing, are you being gentle with his ears? Does he have trust issues with you with other things? Most horses are fairly sensitive about their ears so depending on how long he has been like this it can take a while to correct.

[peppysan]

Or it sounds like he has gotten your number and when it comes time for him to go to "work" he is trying to avoid it.

[NewHorseMom]

He was never this bad, and I think he has figured out that if he pulls away and pins his ears that I get a bit scared and back off so that makes him do it even more!

[horse99]

I would get help in this situation or things could really escalate. Your horse knows you are not confident and he is taking control. Work with someone for a while until you are confident with him and you gain his respect. When he pins his ears, and you back off, he is pushing you around out of his space, and you backing off are telling him that his plan is working. Good luck.