Monday, May 17, 2010

How do i get my horse to put his head down for western pleasure?

He is a 4 year old qh gelding.He doesnt have a bad headset it just needs improvment.Hes been in a bosal for a year b/c he has to get his wolf teeth pulled.He is getting them pulled tomorrow and i want to start training with a bit.


How do i slow down his lope and trot and get his headset right? If any of you have trained a young horse to do this i'd really like some tips.I plan to show him next summer.Just small local shows.


Thanks!!!

How do i get my horse to put his head down for western pleasure?
Start slow. It takes a whole for a horse to be able to stay in the correct pleasure frame. Get him started at a walk and shake his down (light see saw on the reins). When he puts it there, release the pressure. Same with a jog and a lope. Hands low. Toes out and roll your spur up his ribcage to get him to pick up his back into the pleasure horse arch. If his back is rounded, his head will go down, and his gait will slow. If his back is hollow, then his head will be up, and he will be strung out in the back and feel like he is going faster. Get the back arched and it will feel like a whole different horse. If my horse is not performing the speed, like I ask, then he comes off the rail and worls harder. Then I ask him to slow and go back to the rail. He figures it out pretty quick that the rail is a "go slow" spot and will then look for it and slow while he is on it. Stopping and starting at different intervals make a horse slow down on the rail, since they are pausing slightly looking for your stop cue. I know this just barely touches the surface, but these are some of the things that I use when I train my pleasure horses. Good Luck!
Reply:Oh man, you walked right into that one!
Reply:martingale, gradually lowering it until he keeps his head in place....
Reply:try a nose band and trot him over posts lying on the ground but place them for the trot you want takes a lot of patience
Reply:Without seeing you ride it sounds to me like your horse is evading the snaffle because he's in pain. Many people don't realize it but snaffles can be harsh bits. Any bit can be really if your horse doesn't like it. Your horse may be resisting because he doesn't like all the pressure in his mouth instead of his poll and chin.





Look for a snaffle that has the same mouthpiece. It may also depend on which rein you use primarily on the pelham.


Don't forget to give your horse time to adjust either. It will take time for him to readjust to the different pressures he's feeling in his mouth. You may get help from the horse lovers%26amp;friends community " http://sweetsugerbabes.zoomshare.com/fil... "GOOD LUCK


No comments:

Post a Comment

 
vc .net