!![[HELP SOMEONE PLEASE]]!!

[Dosierosie]

My pony has a very high hed carriage she is a part bred arab and finds it hard to drop her head at the minute i am using draw reins to help her abit more can anyone give me some advice on wat will work best to drop her head ....!!!!! Thanks

[fayeandash]

Hi dosierosie, we had a show hunter who used to always poke his nose in the air, it was cured by using bungees - they are elasic with clips on either end, and instead of clipping to the D rings on the saddle we put it over the head, through the bit then in between the front legs and loop round girth, you shouldn't use them though if your pony is known to rear as it can make them worse trying to evade them

[kazzyc]

We have used a bungee on arab at our yard, brilliant results inexpensive about £12 to £15 and best of all I think is that the riders hand does not influence them atall, so cannot be missused by heavy hands

[squirrel]

Hi dosierosie, maybe your pony is just made that way!!!
Perhaps trying her in draw reins or bungee for a short time would work but remember you cannot force your pony into a "shape". You must ride forward from your leg. Be patient and keep working at it. A bit of dedication goes a long way. Hard work I know but Rome wasn't built in a day. Hard work and committment is needed.
Good luck!!!

[Milliesmum]

I would agree with squirrell, time and patience will pay off.

I would suggest including in your schooling things like half halts, transitions, especially the more acute transitions, and things like serpentines and smaller circles, keep it varied and ride from your leg into the bridle to create lots of impulsion. As the back end engages more the head should come down. If she gets bored easily in the school, you could try and incorporate schooling exercises into your hacking. It will take longer to achieve results like this, but with time and patience it will be worth it and I think the results will be better in the long run. Good luck with her.

[Giddie]

A nose net might help her. We use to have a thoroughbred that use to poke his nose and bolt, was brilliant once we used the nose net...You never know it might work !!!

[Twiggy]

do you feed your pony from a high haynet?
it has helped with me to feed hay from the floor or a haybar so they don't use the muscle underneath their neck so much and it gets weaker, so their headcarrige can get lowered by this, has worked for me before anyway

[irish]

I am from the old school where gadgets arn't really used and it is hard work that gets results. I have always been taught to ride from my leg into my hands. Always riding forward. You cannot force a horse/pony into a shape. I would rather wait for a light, correct, natural shape than have a horse/ pony that just tucks it's head in looking tense and uncomfortable. (There is a difference)!!! There is no magic cure, just experience, commitment, dedication and hard work that prevails in the end. Keep trying, eventually with good schooling and instruction you may achieve what you are looking for.

[leggy]

Hi! u could try a another method, and ride from your seat, forget your legs and hands initially, instead of sitting on your bodies central line push your seat forward and sit more on the cheeks of your bottom, with this, do sitting trot and relax your lower spine and shoulders, you will feel like your leaning too far back, do not worry your not, this position will help you sit deeper in your seat, and the motion of your seat position whilst trotting will encourage your pony to drop his head onto the bit, you must also relax your legs but squeeze with the calves for the impulsion to bring his hind quaters under, but keeping the contact lightly on his mouth.
If you try this please let me know if you have understood what i have said and if it works with your pony. good riding leggy

[angel 444]

hey dosierosie,
Have u tried lunging your horse with side reins on. when you do lunge her, make sure you do lots of transitions which will loosen her up. This will also gradually build up her confidence in droppin her nose. It might sound strange but if you do that for 2 days, then after those 2 days you can do a week of lunging her with side reins and getting on her straigt after, so she starts to feel you nt just asking her to drop her head dwn with your hands but you can use you seat and legs to push her forward into the bridle. whatever you do make sure you do everthing gradually, so she can remember everything. Hope this helps.