CAN NOT get his head DOWN!?

Question

Ok guys, I have tried everything with this horse. He is bred for western pleasure and that's what i show him in. He keeps his head perfect at home and at the show arena when we're warming up, or just practicing there. but in the class its up and he goes so much faster. I was thinking about getting a more severe bit for at home to maybe teach him? I don't know what else to do. I have to wait 2 years until i can buy another show horse and i have an apha show in 3 weeks. PLEASE HELP ME.

Answer 1

did you ever use a tie? it is kinda like a lead rope except that there is two hook on the end. you can make it short enough to make his head go low, you would tie one hook on the chain of the bridle that goes under there chin, and then you tie the other end underneath the girth. Most have a tightening part to it where you can make it smaller so that it is so small that he cant put his head down. It is ususally used for bucking and rearing horses but it could work for that to. And with the speed you will need to slow him down. So if he doesn't listen to the type of bit you have know, i wouls suggest a longer shanked bit. It hurts there mouth more so that they would listen to you. But you will have to practice these things at home too. So that he is used to it and wont flip when he cant do something that he may be used for doing.

Answer 2

Well he could have many different issues, but heres some thing you could try...

He might be doing that because you were first riding in a different area and he got used that that ring, but then when you go to the class, its like a whole new place for him. So hes probably trying to look around and is excited and nervous. SO like 10 minutes before your class try to walk him around the ring and if you cant just try to stand were he is facing the ring so he can look at. That might work, but also when your riding in the show ring tell your self to relax, he could be tense because he senses that you are nervous (even tho you feel just fine)

And when your in the show ring act like your riding at home or in the warm up ring.

Hope i helped!

Answer 3

Why is the first thing people want to try when they have trouble rating a horse or getting the proper fram a more sever bit?

Have you concidered that you may indeed be the issue if the horse is fine at home, fine in the practice ring, or fine warming up.   And he only gets faster with a high carrage when actually in the class?

Are you getting nervouse? tense? tight? trying to get the absolute best performance and anticipating him getting to fast, or to high a head?  That can actually make a horse do the thing your trying to prevent.

Try riding him with the mind set that the class is only a game, its not anything special.  Make a effort to stay relaxed, loose and calm.  You can transmit anxiety to your horse without knowing it. Heck ride with a pair of Ipod head phones on with your favorite music on if you have to.  

Dont change his bit, just change your mind set.

Answer 4

A harsher bit wont help put his head down... Its only going to cause a harder mouth.  The object here is to have a supple mouth and a supple contact.  Something is obviously upsetting him.  What it sounds like is anxiety - riding in a ring with numerous other horses perhaps?  I would take him to a couple local small shows and just school him on the grounds.   Otherwise, really work on him at home in a ring with other horses schooling around him - try and mimic the show scene with him and work with him on suppling.  Work with him on the ground too, accepting pressure, moving off of pressure etc etc.  Just keep at it!  This is a greeny issue that you will just have to work on consistantly.

Good Luck :)

Answer 5

alright, i had the same problem with my horse.  he is simply too fresh.  a tired horse cant learn and a fresh horse cant learn.  Each time you take a horse into a ring you goal should be to take a better horse out then you brought in.  Consider lunging him to let him gallop around and get rid of his exess energy.  or ride with draw reins.  although you ride western if you can work on simple cross-training exercises things will start to fall into place.

hope this helps!

Answer 6

Maybe he just needs to be seasoned to the shows a little more.  Its possible that he knows you aren't going to check him when he lifts his head in the class.  I had a horse that used to ride great in the warm-up and at home, then in the pen, he would speed up, becasue he knew I wasn't going to take a hold of him.  What I did to fix that was go to a small open show in my area, took him in the pleasure class, and as soon as he lifted his head or sped up, I corrected him just like I would at home.  I knew I was going to blow the class, but I didn't care, he needed to learn that he had to cooperate regardless of where we were.  I took him in a few more classes and did the same thing, and now he doesn't try pulling that stuff at the big AQHA shows.

Answer 7

I know you said you ride exactly the same, but I wonder that's the truth. I have the feeling that you tighten the reins and ask with much stronger aids in the ring, trying to get him to perfection, and you end up riling him up.

You know what, maybe it's worth trying a little experiment with this fellow.  Try going on a very loose rein sometime in the show ring. A gentle, gentle contact, as little as you can go while maintaining control. I can almost gaurantee you he'll relax into the trot.

I used to do the same thing with my horse.

Absolutely DO NOT get a harsher bit.

Answer 8

I agree with everyone who thinks you should hold off on getting a harsher or heavier bit.  Here's a thought - is the show ring the only time he's working with that many other horses? Maybe it will cost a few classes before he settles down in a crowd. In the winter I took mine to an indoor arena weekly because it was crowded, so she'd get used to having horses pass her, having to pass horses or circle behind them so we weren't tailgating, have them coming at her from the other direction, etc.  And you know how some horses, on the trail at least, like to be out front and pass the others. Hey, if you're not the lead horse, the view never changes ;-)  

My sister never could get over a fear of riding in a ring with others, so she basically just couldn't go to shows. But that doesn't sound like your issue, since you added that you aren't nervous and are probably not new to the show ring.

Of course, if you board someplace and are used to riding in a ring with others, this probably doesn't apply. It was just an idea since he obviously knows how to keep his head down but doesn't under that one circumstance.

Answer 9

Try a different bridle. Like the new natural bitless bridle. I new a few horses that did that as well. And i was talking to the owners about it and he said he tried that and it works.

He didnt show is horse or anything. The horse just kept is head up hig, and all nervous like.

You could also try blinds. Your horse may be nervous in the ring with all the noise.

Answer 10

have you thought about you in the show ring??? its not always the horses fault ! do you get nervous, do you dig your seat bones into the saddle? do you figit with the reins ??? a sever bit wont do anything except tick him off. I think you need to look at the whole picture. if your horse is great at home and great in warm up I dont think its the horse. I think its the signals from you. If you get nervous and start expecting him to be like that u  can be asking from your body to do that! if you brace agains his mouth to make him "slow down" up comes the head, if you dig your seat bones into the saddle ( his back! ) to brace yourself because ur frustrated up goes the head. Try relaxing and ask your coach to watch your body and aids in the show ring.

Answer 11

What is it that the bigger bit used at home will teach him?  And how will that make any difference in his behavior at shows?  If his headset is perfect at home, isn't the problem related to something that is happening at shows?

I'd try earplugs for the shows if they're allowed...some horses do better not hearing the announcer, etc.  You may be overcueing at the shows because of your own nerves....there are many things to look at before you think of bits.

Answer 12

my mare did the same thing.. she would be perfect at home, but insane at shows... i thought i was calm.. completely calm. But i wasnt. I was told to learn how to completely mellow out my mind before a show so she can stay mellow as well which is hard because i run track so we work off our nerves and adrenaline.. find your niche that makes you relax and get to it before a class.. also just try working with him while other horses are around and see if it helps.

Answer 13

Do not go to a bigger bit, wrong wrong wrong,  all your making is a hard faced horse.

You need a cue for the horse to frame up and you continue to RIDE that horse in the arena.  Those ppl you see winning and their horses staying in frame are riding their horse all the way out of the gate.

If anything, you go back to a snaffle to work on the cue, get it solid and then go back to your bridled bit depending on how old your horse is.  Never increase bit leverage to accomplish a task, you only move up as the horse's progress in training.