Thats Bandit, 9 year old QH gelding. He loved with 2 other tb girls and a mini dude. He would be the most chill leisure horse to ride, if he would let me bridle him. He does not want anyone to dare touch his ears, or even come close to them. I got a bridle on him for the first time on Monday, but Wednesday I got the bit in and he reared and kneed me in the back. Nothing serious, barely a bruise. But it's a serious issue. Always has been. For his pasturemate Cassidy I put my right arm between her ears and hold the top in that hand, and work with the bit in the other, that's what works for me. 

Is is there anything that can be done? You can't even reach nesr his ears or he flips. I can scratch his nose and work up, but as soon as I touch ear, he has a fit. I've tried treating him while trying to touch his ears, but that only worked the first treat. Any help would be graciously appreciated!! 

He has to learn that bad behavior gets a negative reaction. I would go back to basics, start with a halter that you can undo the throatlatch and slide over his ears. When he reacts put him to work, either disengaging his hind/front end or just round pen work. After a few moments repeat the process and if he reacts you put him to work again. Sooner or later he's going to figure out, freaking out equals working and that maybe getting his ears rubbed aren't such a bad thing. It's always hard when dealing with the ears because they can and will get higher than us, obviously we can't jump up there and touch them anyways so put them to work, they want to move their feet, make it YOUR idea to move the feet!

You might also try tying a cloth or something around them to get him used to having something touching them. Tying under his head pushed up as close as possible.  It could also be they hurt. Has a vet checked them out ?

If he previously allowed you to bridle him, but now rejects it I would check his teeth.  Has his wolf teeth been pulled?

Regardless of the outcome I would work him with a hackamore or a bosal.  I NEVER started my horses with a bit.  The only time I really use bits is when shows asked of me or on horses I have bought, previously trained.

I currently have a horse with the same problem...but it is from him scratching his ears, ive had 2 vets out to look at his ears and theres nothing in them....but everyday i have to clean them out and now he hates anyone messing with his ears...i have to twitch him...not proud of that, but it the only way i can clean them out(theyre scabby now from him itching so much)

But he hates when i put the halter on or get anywhere near his ears....its a hard thing to deal with, but it takes repetition...as all things horse related are!!!

Have you tried watching any youtube videos about it?! 

I'll definitely try that Blair. 

Ill also try that fare!

He put up a fuss on Monday but I was quick enough to get it over his head, Wednesday he knew what was coming and kicked out. His vet says nothing's wrong with his teeth or ears, he just does not like his ears touched.  He's had a bit his entire life, but if I can't fix it, I'll have to look and see if I can ride him with just his halter (never gets taken off, because we would NEVER get that back on) and some lead ropes.

Yup, YouTube videos galore. The girl before me "allegedly" had tried alot but didn't put any effort in so he had it done to him before and it's quite ineffective. 

Otherwise, he is bombproof! They have golfcarts fly by every minute, ATV's, kids, dogs enter their pen, they can even have a gun shot next to their face and they don't freak as much as he does getting his ears fussed with. 

I would definately put his feet to work if he kicks out at you...thats not acceptable behavior and he needs to know it.

Yes number 1 issue is not the ear touching it's his reaction to it and he has a dangerous reaction, those feet need to move. Start small, the first flinch away or up and send him out to work. Because it's the ears this will probably take some time and I would try to work with him daily. Horses are smarter than people give them credit for, some just have thicker skulls XD

Also another thing you could try in the mean time is unbuckling the bridle at the cheek, putting the bit in his mouth and then sliding the rest behind his ears instead of over. This may still cause the bad response and as before drop everything and put him to work.

Sounds good. If he lets me touch them I'm thinking I'll treat, but if he kicks out or reacts badly he's going to work. Lunging out maybe? 

Yeah...i have to unbuckle my headstall for my arab right now as well.

Will he let you touch his mane up my the ears?!

Question:  Has he ever had a traumatic experience near the ears or is this just a being-a-brat behaviour?  Because the way you go abotu desensitizing depends solely on those two things.  if hes just being a brat, then yes, full steam on, and force the issue.  If its a trauma, then my advice is completely different.

Unbuckling at the cheek still results in reaction. 

I can work up to his mane and pet it, but if I were to just reach for it he would think I was going for ears and throw his head.

As far as I know, it's just brat behavior. His owner says he's always been touchy about his ears, but I think it's brat behavior. 

Since it's cooler today, I'll be out lunging him and updating y'all. Thanks for your help so far!!!

I dont have a horse but this still interests me! Keep us posted!

Lunging to him is pivoting on his front feet. Smh. He has gotten away with all this for years, geez. He let's me touch his left ear more than his right, I could put my hand between his ears and over his head. Progress.

That is progress!!!

He got an abscess on his foot, so woeking him will be strained now. It's almost like he did it on purpose, this brat will be the death of me!!!