New Horse Owner needs help with lowering a horses head?
I am a new horse owner with a "basic" trained 41/2 year old gelding. Artie is scheduled to have a wolf tooth removed and teeth floated this week (definately needed). Now then, he keeps his head moderately high/low, however when the trainer rides, she is able to lower his head and flex. I see she is slightly giggling the reins (snaffle bit), but I hear a lot about moving the horse forward with applying leg pressure. Please explain in novice terms so I may have the information for future use, not necessarily try it on this inexperienced horse that needs his teeth done. This is my second "first" horse in 2 months (long story) and I am a newbie sponge right now.
gallop2008-12-02T16:04:41Z
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Actually, now while your horse is young and green is when it is very important to ride using a lot of leg and seat to get him moving with good forward impulsion, before you start worrying about his head position. He should be encouraged to stretch his neck forward, while he is being legged and driven to bring his hind legs reaching under him, and get his hindquarter to come under himself. As he is conditioned, he will do this, and begin to elevate his back and lift his forehand. That is when he will naturally drop his head and reach for the bit, so that you can bring him onto the bit as you capture the forward energy and then collect it with your rein cues on the bit. By continuing to leg him forward as you bring him more collected on the bit, he will flex correctly at the poll and carry himself in a rounded and balanced frame. I would discuss this with the trainer to arrive at the best approach to your horse's training.
As I've said many times, be careful that you don't sacrifice your horse's natural rhythm and hind end engagement for a "headset," as many well-meaning but misinformed riders do (including me, years ago...bad idea that took years to fix).
However, the fact that your trainer is achieving the desired frame (and I'm assuming that your trainer is a good trainer who knows not to force a horse into a frame before getting the correct movement and engagement...otherwise, forget the frame, find a new trainer, and work on balance and collection and engagement before you worry about the head) makes me think that you probably just need more strength in your legs for a stronger "push" into the bridle. You are right, however, that you need leg pressure. You can yank back and forth until the horse flexes his head, but if you don't use leg pressure, you lose rhythm and balance and just look bad (and ruin your horse). Drive your horse forward using your seat and legs--leg pressure and a strong seat. Get a balanced, forward gait (walk, trot, canter, whatever) before you ask for the frame--otherwise you'll lose what you've got. Once he's in front of your leg (going forward easily) and pushing into the bridle (not just dragging himself around), start wiggling your fingers. Basically, do half halts--if you aren't sure how, ask your trainer...she'll be able to show you. What a half halt does is increase the connection with the horse's mouth temporarily while pushing the horse forward with your leg at the same time. This causes the horse to collect and give to the bit without losing forward motion. If you use too much hand and not enough leg, you'll lose the rhythm and impulsion. If you use too much leg and not enough hand, you'll gain speed but not engagement or collection.
A 4 1/2 year old greenie can be difficult, though, so kudos to you for being willing to learn with him and get the best help for him (and using a trainer). Don't get frustrated if you can't do it yet--the fact that he will do it with the trainer is a great step. And since your trainer can do it, ask her to show you what she's doing.
First, what discipline are you riding him in? Just curious.
You can get a horse to lower his head by 'jiggling' the reins as you mentioned however, the point of riding a horse with that headset is that they are moving in 'frame'. To get a horse to move in frame you must use leg pressure and steady rein contact. The leg pressure causes the hind end to track further underneath the horse and combined with the rein contact the horse will lower its head, bringing it's back and loin up, ultimately creating a rounded "pretty" frame. Try it at a walk first. This is also more comfortable to ride in compared to a horse with a tense back and high head.
The important thing to keep in mind is that when the horse drops his head, reward him by giving a very brief release of some rein pressure. Eventually he will find the sweet spot where he can keep his head set comfortably.
If he's not used to traveling with this headset and frame his back could get sore at first so you may also want to try lungeing him in side reins (I like sliding side-reins that they can't brace against) so his back muscles can be conditioned for this. Hope this helps!
The way I do it on my horses is I ask them to keep moving forward but I tap on the reigns in a kind ot tight motion until they give from the pressure and relax their head. Or I just keep my hands real low if they dont require all of that. If thats too much to do for you right now you can always get a martingale that encourages their head to be held lower and would be much easier.
He is young yet his balance wont be great, my thoughts would be that you would probably benefit from a good instructor on a different horse to start with get your knowledge built up a little more, Sounds like the other rider is what we call scissoring him lightly just to gently get him to relax a bit, dont do to much till hes had them teeth done tho eh, one sharpe knock in his mouth could knock him for six, good luck,x