my horse keeps trying to grab the bit in her mouth when I am riding her how do I get her to stop?

I think she's trying to grab it so she doesn't have to listen to my commands.
Answers:
you could try a hackamore, a bitless bridle that controls the horse without a bit.

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1st make sure the bit is fitted correctly. Hackamore like dandy said or a side pull make work as well.
www.cbarjpainthorses.com

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Try keeping a tighter rein on her so she can't grab it, or you could try switching bits.

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dont go with a hackamore your horse will still attempt to bite at it try to just keep a tight rein so that she/or he cant get a hold of it .my horse did that to me when i was racing and we almost hit a fence because he had his side of his hackmore in his mouth.

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it works real well when they grab the bit is to jerk hard on there mouth a few times everytime they do it. eventually this will stop, but if you ever have one grab the bit and run off with you just keep turning the horse,making the turns shorter and shorter until he comes to a stop, if you find yourself in a narrow path just dig your feet into the stirrups and sit back while jerking back each rein one at at a time until you free the bit

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I put a nasty tasting thing on the bit and she didn't try to take it away.

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Horse Illustrated has had a few articals on this in the last couple months. First be sure the bit fits properly and there is no problems in the mouth. Then the best thing is go back to basics and have a LIGHT hand.

From Charles Wilhelm's website (he has GREAT videos too)
With head tossing and bit pulling, I believe it is valuable to start out by having an equine dentist check your horse鈥檚 teeth. Sometimes your horse has the caps off his teeth, or his wolf teeth will cause the head tossing or bit pulling. If the teeth check out as fine, then it鈥檚 a good idea to have the chiropractor come out for a visit. The vertebrae can sometimes be out of alignment, especially the first or second vertebrae, and when we make contact with the bit, it can really bother the horse.

If however it appears there are no medical issues, then it becomes time to check the equipment you are using. First thing to consider is if you are using the wrong bit. Is it too severe? Is your horse really ready for a higher level of bit (more leverage)? Bits should not be changed out lightly. There is an appropriate use and level of training for each different type of bit. The more leverage on the bit, the more critical it becomes that your horse truly understands giving to the bit, and that the rider has light hands, is riding with the proper amount of contact, and is releasing consistently at the right time.

Alternately, you may be riding in a bit that is appropriate, but simply does not fit the horse correctly. Is the bit too loose or tight, and therefore resting improperly against the teeth? The correct fit for a bit is critical.

When in doubt 鈥?I always recommend going to a properly fitted snaffle. If you find the horse is still doing head tossing or bit pulling, then one of two things is happening. First, it may well be that the horse has not been properly trained to accept/give to the bit. If this may be the case, then you can check out the April 2003 issue of Ride!, where I wrote a column specifically on training your horse to yield and give easily to the bit. If you cannot get a back issue, the column is also located on my website. If your horse has gone through the right training to give to the bit, then it鈥檚 clearly behavioral and almost certainly induced by humans. We are going to assume that is the case here and address the problem accordingly.

.get the rest here

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1st make sure the bit is fitted correctly. You could try using a drop nose band and who broke her in and what she is used for

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What Phoebe said!! DON"T yank her in the mouth, that will only make it worse. Check that her teeth are ok, the bit and bridle fit her, and try to keep a straight line from your elbow through your wrist to the bit, and keep gentle, consistent pressure on the reins. If she grabs the bit, open and close your fingers on the reins, try to get her chewing and relaxing on the bit. Don't get in a tug of war with her, as we all know who will win!!

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Try a bit with leverage. Like one with shanks. When you pull back on the reins uses a curb chain under the chin and works with the bit in the mouth. If you use it gently it works good. It will hurt their mouth alot if you yank on it.

If you put the bit lower in her mouth it is harder for her to get to in between her teeth.

Myler bits aren't jointed in the middle so it is much harder for them to get it beween there teeth.

Finaly make sure the bit fits her properly and isn't too harsh or not harsh enough. I rode my horse for a year before moving to a different trainer and putting a milder bit on her. It was the differents between night and day. Thats not the story with all horses but try different bit's and you'll be suprised.

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It may be that she is getting board or the bit is not fitted right. If she is board just wiggle the bit every once in a whilie or get a bit with a roller in it.

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Exactly what is she doing? If she is chewing on the bit, that is normal, some horses do it for something to play with. If she can get the bit in between her front upper and lower teeth, the bit isn't sitting in her mouth properly, and you need to shorten the cheek straps. There should be one or two creases on the corners of her mouth when the bit is sitting in there properly. No more than that though, or you'll hurt her mouth. If she is opening up her mouth a drop nose band, or hanovarian bridle will stop her from opening it and getting her tongue over the bit.

If she is pulling, or leaning on the bit, that is different and needs to be rectified. If you have a good contact on her mouth, and then give suddenly, does she fall out? If so, she is asking you to hold her in her frame and not carrying herself properly. She needs to be taught to give and soften to the bit in her mouth. The bit is not there to hold her pace, that job is for your seat and legs, the bit is there for half halts and direction only. Try and get her carrying herself properly without you holding her in. You should get to the point where you have no contact with her mouth, but she holds the pace because of how you are riding her. You will need an instructor to help you with this.

Hope I've helped a bit

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Hello please do not sock her in the mouth or hold your reins tighter
grabbing at the bit can stem from many problems including rider error .
Check list.
Bridle fitting,saddle fitting.correct bit for shape of mouth and correct size,
equine dentist ,mouth tongue,teeth,mouth soreness.jaw,mouth roof,
Vet,
poll atlas,axis,neck ,withers, back,pelvic,joints.head sinuses and cavities ears,muscle soreness/joint pain/pressure points,
Farrier,shoes,hoof axis,sole,hooves,movement.

You,soft yielding hand soft through your lower back and pelvic.
body upright and not behind or in front of the vertical long relaxed leg from the hip ,relaxed enough to feel your horse move underneath you, do not pull back with your reins the bit is not a brake pedal,and a rider can not pull a horse from front to back to ask for self carriage ,try alittle soft long and low.
Please do not apply harsher bits tighter nose bands straps that restrict this will only make her worse find the problem and solve it with patience and time your lovely horse is trying to tell you something is not right please listen and help her for a happier horse and your piece of mind.

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My mare tries to do this when barrel racing..

I have found working with draw reins has helped immensely..when her head is in the right position she cannot 'grab' the bit.

Also, grabbing the bit usually constitues throwing their head up, and this can really weaken back muscles, leading to a sway back.