Young horse unsteady in his head

[sometime]

How do you get steadiness in the head the young pony has not been ridden for very long and simply cant yet manage to hold himself on the bit.
He is getting a lot better at the long and low aid but in spite of very little hand pressure will throw his head back at you during transitions go hollow before alternating between poking his nose, going too deep or being on the bit.
He is ridden long/low to try and get more movement over his back and he has starting coming through well from behind with a good flexion over his back when steady in a pace but will still look for the bit and go up and down through the head positions. He is not a head shaker just seems to struggle to keep his head still.
Is this just a matter of more work and getting aware of what he is being asked or should we change his bit. He is ridden in a fulmer french link snaffle, cavesson noseband and no martingale or training aids
Any exercises we can try to settle the transitions he is on his 16 hour of training over about 8 weeks since coming back into work after being backed and turned away

[sageandonion]

How old?

I am thinking 4/5 just backed, you should not expect horse to be on the bit and he won't be able to hold his head steady until he has built up the muscle to carry himself and his rider which will take as long as it takes. Hacking would be best with very short sessions in school riding forward into the bridle but never asking for 'on the bit'.

[GinaGeo]

As above. Almost transitions may help settle the transitions. So say you're trotting and are going to walk, give the aid for walk, if he comes against you push back on, he'll learn that if he stays nice and soft he can walk. When I say soft I don't mean "on the bit" but nice and light and seeking the bit.

[sometime]

He was backed last year but has been turned away for about 8 months to grow and mature a bit. He is 5 rising 6 as I like mine left until 4 and half before we start them
Thanks I thought it was just time and maybe expecting too much too soon he is a gem and has a wonderful temperament He tries very hard
He is hacking about an hour a week and schooling about two half hour sessions in the flat part of the field will organise some lessons for his rider in a few weeks so the instructor can see the small problem

[sageandonion]

As he hasn't done anything, he will be like a 4 year old but will hopefully come on a little quicker. Do not be concerned about his wibbly wobbly head and a bit of dipping, he is just losing his balance for a moment. Carry on the way you are and it should become less and less. If you don't see a natural improvement in say three months (though he still won't be there consistently) then you need to think again.

If his head is better on the lunge, then you need to get some lunge lessons on a schoolmaster yourself to make absolutely sure your hands are not hindering. Personally I would do that anyway as it is so good for you.

[rightrein92]

I agree You simply can't beat a few lessons with a good instructor just to make sure you are well clued up

Give the pony some time to build muscle and grow and it will come in time