How do I get my horse to have better head carriage

Question

My horse tends to carry his head well in front of the vertical. I'd like to get him closer to carrying his head vertically and staying on the bit more. What's the best way to get him to do this?

Answer 1

Try doing half halts on the outside rein. If he lowers his head give him gentle squeezes with your heels. If he goes on the bit there are only 2 ways they can do this by speeding up or slowing down.So if he speeds up just hold him back. Keep trying it, he might do it first time if he doesn't, keep nagging him. If he does reward him by rubbing him with your inside hand and give the rein slightly.  (I had the same problem)

Answer 2

Don't use draw reins, it will ruin your horse and give you false framing.

Work on impulsion, driving the hindquarter forward..use strong leg and seat cues and leave the mouth alone.  When you feel the horse's back come up, the hindquarter come under him, and the forehand lift, your horse will also lower his head to accept the bit..then you lightly bring his nose to the vertical...after he has reached for it and accepted it.

Answer 3

what i am going to tell you is basically a perfect cure for his "problem". it has worked on countless horses that i have trained, and it will work for him too. the french link snaffle is perfect for teaching this, and i'm glad you use such a mild bit. do not use draw reins however, he will rely on them and wont perform without them. start by standing in the center of the arena, or any other large area. put steady pressure evenly on both reins, and bring your hands back to about your thighs. hold your hands firmly on your legs; this will help you keep them still and not follow him when he gives. keep steady pressure on him until he drops his head and tucks his nose, and gives to the bit; in other words, puts slack in the reins. when he does this, drop the reins like they were burning your hands. its the instant release that will help him catch on. if he backs up while you are putting pressure on him, bump with your legs to get him to stop. if you just pull back as a cue to back up, he will need to learn that pulling back and squeezing with your legs is the new cue. make him give at the standstill multiple times, until all you need to do is pick up your hands and pull just a tiny bit and he gives. then ask him to walk. again, pull back to your thighs, but this time, squeeze with your calves to let him know that he needs to keep going. when he gives and puts slack in the reins, release. again, do this multiple times until he easily gives. then do it at the trot, extended trot, and canter. this will help drive him into the bridle, engage his hindquarters, and round his back, putting him in a better hunter frame. when you get him to give like this, slowly introduce to him the idea of moving on the bit. but when i say "on the bit", i mean very light contact with his mouth. alot of contact will tell him to give his nose. and once he learns where you want him to keep his head, he wont give past that point with just normal contact.

to teach him where you want him to keep his head, ask him to give. when he gets where you want him to stay, release and pat him. then ask again as soon as he moves from that position. this works best when walking or trotting at first, because its easier for him to put two and two together when he is moving. if you ask him to return to the favorable position every time he moves from it, he will soon learn that it is easier to stay there. then you can work on moving on the bit more. i hope this is what you are looking for. this will do wonders for him, if he doesnt know this already. i trained my gelding this way, and we are unstoppable in HUS, equitation, and basically everything else! =]  

Answer 4

Draw reins can work wonders.  Snap each rein into your cinch ring - then run the rein through the rein hole in the bit and back up to your hands.  You need 6-7 foot long reins although you can use a fine lead rope or lead rein.

As you pull on the reins he will tuck his nose.  Keeping his nose - 'tucked' will also improve his balance.  

It is best when you start working them with draw reins to be in a corral or arena or enclosed area.  

One of the reasons for a horse to string out is the wrong bit.  I don't know what kind of bit you are using but what we used to call a western snaffle is a good bit for working on head set.  It is a snaffle bit with long shanks.  

if you are looking for more collection - You also need to push them up into the bit with your legs - squeezing, gentle bumps.  

I would advise working in draw reins for a half hr or so at a time then switching back and using your legs and gentle connection on the mouth to help it along.  

Good luck!