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What is the best way

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  • #1

    What is the best way

    to get a TB to lower his head? This boy is a beauty but he holds his head way too high!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Ride him right.



    (sorry. I'm not being mean, it's just... there are no details in the question, so sort of hard to offer a helpful answer. )
    "smile a lot can let us ride happy,it is good thing"

    My CANTER blog.

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    • #3
      And, same as ANY breed of horse, teach him to respond and release to pressure, including at the poll, if you are referring to his keeping his head high on the ground. Use fingertip pressure to start, just brushing his hair, and increase pressure until he responds, at which point, release instantly. Don't push, with your pressure, just apply and hold, that way when he lowers his head, he releases the pressure himself. I find tossing a lead rope behind the ears and applying downward pressure with that (I might kneel on the ground in front of the horse, just off to the side a little if need be, if I trust the horse) to be an easy start, then I start using my hand. If he is particularly resistant, be sure to maybe ask less of him - ask little, expect a lot. You might end up just rewarding a "try" (ie, you see him thinking about it) before asking more of him, like a shift or slight bob downwards.

      U/s, ride him in such a way that he uses his body properly and the head will come down. Circular work is especially helpful as it encourages them to step beneath themselves to re-balance and thus work from behind. Circular work, transitions (between and within gaits), lateral work, spiraling in and out on circles, etc etc. Progressive Schooling Exercises for Dressage & Jumping (Islay Auty) is one of my favourites.
      ....horses should be trained in such a way that they not only love their riders, but look forward to the time they are with them.
      ~ Xenophon, 350 B.C.

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      • #4
        I am not sure if you are having problems on the ground or under saddle, but in general...

        You can't just pull against him because if you make it a pulling contest, he will win. If a horse has his head up in the air and you want him to lower it, you should turn him to the side. Lateral flexion is the indirect way of achieving relaxation of the back and neck, which will include lowering the head.

        On the ground, you can use the lead rope or carrot stretches to get him to flex laterally. Once he gives to pressure, praise him so he understands. Under saddle, you can use leg pressure on one side, coupled with the direct rein on that side. Once he gives to pressure, release and send him forward.

        I hope that helps
        The journey is the destination.

        Comment

        • Original Poster
          #5
          I'm sorry for the vagueness of my question...we are trying to get him to lower his head under saddle. This is a new horse to us and he hasn't been ridden consistently and usually only on trails. He is a TB and we would like to show him eventually in hunters. His movement is beautiful and smooth and fluid and while he looks very nice with his head up in the air...it's not what we want for him. So any advice (thank you for the advice given so far) would be much appreciated.

          Thank you.

          Comment

          • #6
            If you get the chance, try to watch the George Morris Horsemanship clinic on usefnetwork.com. On Day 1 in groups 1+2 he does (and demonstrates) some really great exercises targeting contact, roundness and poll flexion - working from the back to front of the horse. I know watching these clinics gave me some new, fresh ideas and inspiration to keep riding in this darned cold weather. I hope it does the same for you!

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            • #7
              Depends on how hard he fights it and why he fights. Is it because he's worried about his balance? Because it's harder for him because he doesn't yet have the correct muscles?

              There are also the other basic questions. Are you sure the saddle fits well and isn't pinching? Are you balanced over the middle? Quiet with your hands? Soft with your seat?

              Some horses that are just insecure will sometimes learn best when the rider puts their hands down like soft side reins (not at the girth level, but at the withers or slightly below), going around the rail, and being driven forward (not rushing, just with some slow but more powerful strides at the trot) into a contact that is very steady and doesn't pull nor is locked and not giving when the horse starts to reach and give. When the horse even goes a little bit in the correct direction, you have to willing to follow--and yet not throw away the contact.

              It's a fine line. You have to have feel and tact. And this is only to help steady both the horse and rider to help the horse find the correct answer to the question you need to be clearly making with your aids.
              "And I'm thinking you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling." - Capt Reynolds "Firefly"

              Comment

              • #8
                Along with the other good advice, make sure his teeth have been checked recently (w/in 6 months), and consider trying a different bit. I've had good luck with Happy Mouth Mullen mouth or KK ultra bits. Regular snaffles don't seem nearly as readily accepted as those 2 bits, on the horses I've ridden.

                Also make sure you are using leg, and asking for bend. Lots of circles. Trot poles on the ground can also help them use their body better.

                Comment

                • #9
                  It sounds like you need a long term game plan that involves all suggestions and most importantly an exercise program that will build his topline so that he has the physical foundation to support the carriage you're asking for. If he hasn't been ridden consistently it will take at least a year and if he's immature it may take longer. Expect it to come gradually... stay soft and supportive.

                  Long slow hills are a good way to start.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    As others have mentioned, how a horse moves and where he carries it's head depends on the whole horse.

                    If your horse is running around high headed, I very much doubt that he is also moving properly, coming from behind, lightly, using himself well and tracking under.
                    That all has to be in place before his head stabilizes.

                    Longing the horse properly could be a starting point, with side reins adjusted just right for how he may need them, get someone to show you what to look for when you longe a horse.

                    Until he is working properly, I would not worry about where his head is, other than trying to keep it out of your face.

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