my 6 yr. old horse chews on the reins when l put the bit in. l keep telling him no and pulling the rein out when its in his mouth. is there another way l could get him to stop chewing on the rein? l dont wanna put anything on the leather to ruin it and l dont wanna make him not [ut the bit in.

Here go to this it really helped me.Thats just how you put on a english bridle see how she holding it thats what you want to do it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SqPs-VA8-v4


For western it is the same thing really.

he wont try to bite any more.or as much

Sounds to me ur boy has a quirk. He likes to put rope & reins in his mouth.

My boy does this too. It is a way for him to either comfort himself (stress, anxiety) or to entertain himself (being silly). My boy mostly grabs the lead line & has to suck it into his mouth & chew while getting his feet done or the vet visits.
When l am leading him he likes to grab up a mouthful of rope to lead me, it seems.

The only thing l can suggest is to toss the reins high up on his neck to keep them taught so he can not grab them & keep watch over his silliness.
Another thing.wrap wire around the bottom half of the reins so when he goes to chew it is wire & not enticing to a chewer. You will have to be careful with this though to make sure there r no loose ends to cut ur boy. You can tape the end of the wires down to keep from poking the horse in the neck.
Once he stops grabbing for the reins u can remove the wires.

Is ur 6 year old just playing? or does ur horse do other thing's. It sound is like ur horse my like the taste of the leather u my try a different kind of salt lick. If this is just a new or old habit ur horse is not surrendering the mind to ur will. Always ask before u demand sound is like u have done that. You do not want to put anything on the leather, would u like to try a little Cayin pepper rub it on the spot of the rein this will work than u can wash it win ur horse minds. First make sure it is not a mineral problem {salt}. l have seen some hoses do this when they r not getting what they need out of a salt lick.

look on google