How do I get my horse to stop throwing his head?

I have a horse who throws his head when I ask him to back or sidepass. I know it is not that he has a sore tooth, because he does it whether I am using a bit or a bosal. How can I correct this without using a training fork or an overcheck?

How do I get my horse to stop throwing his head?
Im going to throw this out there cause it hasnt been mentioned yet..


When was the last time you had your horses teeth floated?


Is he young enough that he may have had his wolfe teeth forgotten?I know several that they just didnt errupt till later 5,6,7 and at that point,it may have just left the owners mind - no ones fault it just happens.I had a friend with a 14 year old well trained morgan gelding that all of a sudden he started with the head tossing - and it was his wolfe teeth :)


Regular floating sometimes twice a year can become the norm as a horse gets older.


And if you randomly tie a horse down when hes in physical pain, your not only going to cause him to act out more demonstratively,but your risking your own neck.


Look for the cause first - I dont have much of an issue with a tie down if its used properly %26amp; not as a quick fix.
Reply:you could try a tie down.


so he can't do it. but thats not really helping you train him.
Reply:I KNOW this sounds like an obvious answer, but you need to find out why he does it. Forcing him not to do it will just cause another problem.





Check out things like; are you too harsh on his mouth when you ask? Do you rush him? Is his training not far enough along and he doesn't really understand? Are you unbalancing him, or is he unbalancing himself and if so why? Are you trying to get him to move over or back quickly when he's not yet good at doing it slowly? Perhaps you could ask several people to watch, and think about what each one says they think it is. Sorry can't help more without seeing you both. Please don't tie him down, he's trying to tell you something.
Reply:First thing you need to determine is why is the horse throwing his head. This is resistance and could be due to a number of causes. Using a tie down (or similar device) is a crutch or band-aid on the deeper issues.





Here are some basic questions to think about when evaluating this concern:





1. Is the horse throwing his head only when ridden or at other times too?


2. Have you had the teeth checked to be sure there is nothing happening inside the mouth that is affecting your performance?


3. What type of bit are you using?


4. Is the bit fitted properly to the size and shape of the mouth?


5. Do you have a trainer or experienced friend that can watch you from the ground to see if there is something happening that you are missing?


6. Does your saddle fit correctly?





It has always been my experience that horses tell us what they need, what works or doesn’t work for them as long as we pay attention.





Good Luck on finding the root of this problem, your horse will appreciate it.
Reply:Since you say he throws his head when you ask him to back and sidepass I'm going to assume he doesn't do it at other times in your ride. Are these 2 movements something either he or you (or both) are just learning?. If they are it sounds like it is possible you may be giving too much rein aids as compared with seat and leg aids. For the leg yield (sidepass) the seat and leg intiate the movement. The hand is more of a guiding aid in essence opening the door so the horse can move in a sideways direction away from the leg and seat aids. For a leg yield to the right the bend of the horse is slighty left (in halfpass the bend is in the same direction of movement). The left leg and left seatbone are the driving aid that move the horse over with the left leg slightly behind the girth. The left hand helps maintain the slight bend away from the direction of movement. The right leg is on the girth and aids in maintaining the forward and straight movement. The right hand is slightly opening allowing the horse to move in the direction of the leg yield. In backing up you initiate the movement by adding leg in equal pressure slightly behind the girth and come slightly vertical with your upper body to lighten you seat in the saddle (effectively opening the door to allow the horse to move backward). All the hands do is stop the horse from moving forward from the leg pressure. The hand is fixed not pulling. The hand is not used to pull the horse back or I guarentee you there will be some head tossing. Hope I've helped
Reply:A tie-down would work. if its a TWH they tend to do that
Reply:Maybe the bit is hurting his teeth. Try a different bit or have the vet look at his teeth. They may need to be floated. I have to have the vet out once a year to get it done. Horses teeth grow and can cause sores in their mouths so they need to be filed down.
Reply:if would do alternating pressure on the reins to back up and i would carry a long whip as an extension of your arm to side pass





also make sure he can do these things on the GROUND!!!!! if he wont do it on the ground hes even less likely to in the saddle!!!
Reply:If has shaking it side to side that means hes happy and wants you to pet him. Unfortuatly i dont have a horse.
Reply:Don't get a tie down or a training fork. If you do all that will happen is that you will create a crutch for you and the horse and not actually fix the problem. Like others have mentioned, make sure his teeth are ok. Even though you use a bosal it still applies pressure on the outside of his mouth and pushes on his teeth.


If he only does it at the side pass or backing and no other time, it could be that it is a movement that is new to him or he has some aniexty assocaite with it. Be calm and patient whe you ask him to do these manuvers. When you ask him to back make sure that you are removing pressure the second he takes a step back. Same thing with the sidepass. He simply may upset because you ask for this manuever and never give the release of pressure that is his reward. Keep at apply pressure wait for him to more in the desired direction and release. If he does the head tossing with other things then as soon as he does that gently take his face by flexing him
Reply:My gelding had a simular problem, use a tie down so he can't get his head up.





Mine was only $15 or $20.