Head Position?

[dappledgreypony]

How can I get my young horse's head position into a nice position without forcing it down? I am going to try side reins, pessoa, bungee etc, but just wondered if anyone had anytips on how to get him to tuck his nose in slightly using just my hands & without lowering them? I want to teach him to do it naturally & without overbending, but don't want to use hard hands/contact & force him into it. Thanks,

DGP

[desktop]

Firstly using gadgets will force his head into an incorrect position!! If the horse isnt working correctly from behind and into the bridle he will never hold himself correctly. I would suggest you get yourself a good instructor and some lessons on how to get your horse going correctly

[GinaGeo]

Good on you for wanting to achieve it properly without gadgets. Working on the bridle isn't just about where the head is, but about the engagement of the abdominal muscles, back muscles and the hindquarters.

The easiest thing to do is to have lessons from a good Instructor who will be able to watch you and your pony and then help to advise you the best way to ride him.

A young horse, should be working into a light contact in a long and low outline to encourage him to swing through from behind. You have to remember that only 1/3 of the horse is in front of you, so ride the back end too.

Every horse is different so I couldn't advise without seeing. Both of my horse's need riding totally differently in order to achieve the same goal. Different conformation, different attitudes and different natural abilities.

[dappledgreypony]

Thanks. I've got an instructor coming, but I've got an appointment with the doctor before then about something wrong with my hand, so am unsure if I'll be able to ride. However, my instructor said that she can ride him for me & show me how its done on him. Hopefully this will be the answer,
DGP

[GinaGeo]

Yes, having him schooled will help you both

[dappledgreypony]

Thanks again. He's such an angel at everything, & just want him to relax his head into it rather than it being a case of have to. Ta,
DGP

[Trot-on]

Try and ride him through his bridle, so the energy from his backend encourages you forward. Try transitions too and encourage him to be 'long' active and loose. It will come with time if he is only a baby so try not stress too much. Good luck

[sarahp]

Lots of transitions both between and within paces, changes of rein and if you can start some lateral work with him (nothing like as scarey as it sounds!) that will help too. The idea is to help him take more weight on the hindlegs and less on the forehand, then the head will drop down onto the bit automatically. Or as daughter's dressage instructor says, moving from front wheel to four wheel to rear wheel drive!

[dappledgreypony]

Thanks. He's going much better, using more energy, & engaging his hind quarters more. Just what I wanted! As many of you said, it will come with time.... Ta,
DGP

[sarahp]

Great, keep it up!

[Julie(luke3)]

Jul 17, 2012 16:44:28 GMT dappledgreypony said:

Thanks. He's going much better, using more energy, & engaging his hind quarters more. Just what I wanted! As many of you said, it will come with time.... Ta,
DGP

Well done xx

[dappledgreypony]

Thanks, everyone. He was much better in his transitions tonight, especially into canter & back again, as this was what he was most 'sticky' at. Thanks again so much to all of you who have contributed & just hope I can carry it on! Ta,
DGP

[GinaGeo]

Fab, well done - glad to hear you've felt an improvement. A good forward rhythm is so important, they really do need to be infront of the leg and it seems to be overlooked by so many!

[dappledgreypony]

He's being so good - I totally agree with the last bit, though =( I just hope the weather clears up, though, so I can put it into practise!