How do i stop this, Please help?

Question

ok, well, i ride for a lady (victoria) and she has (her daughter has) a horse that is very stubborn and smart. Even if i just give her a little squeeze, with my legs she trots but throwns her head up and gets very angry. There is nothing wrong with her she is fine and healthy.

Do you think she just doesnt like the bit?

any help will be good!! xo thanks!

:oD no mean or rude answers, if you think the question is silly, then dont answer it!

Answer 1

How old is she? Because if she is young, they tend to throw their toys outta the pram if they are asked to do something they don't want to do. Persistence usually works with horses like this, and if she bucks/rears, spin her round in a circle, and do not give in, as that is what they are after.

Answer 2

try squeezing a little softer

depending on age..if it's a young horse...well then the horse is just not used to it.. and try having a softer squeeze only increasing pressure until the horse responds

and if it's an older well trained horse maybe she's just grouchy and you can be a little bit gentler with her as well

and i think a martingale would only make her more upset

it might work give it a try!

good luck and happy riding!

***EDIT! oh maybe try trotting her while lunging her to see if she does the same thing with her head

maybe she's in pain

lunger herwith the saddle on and then with it off

Answer 3

i dont think your question is sily mia, lol, its KAT! i think you just smack it when it does it, or get a restaining bridle, they have them in germany lol, love u meme plz choose as best answer wove u!!!

Answer 4

Use a martingale on her. She can not throw her head up. Why don't you ask your instructor?

Answer 5

Check the bit, to make sure it fits right and isn't banging against her teeth or pinching her mouth.  Also check the saddle.  If you use a more severe bit, switch to a smooth snaffle or mild curb, or even a hackamore.  

I have to disagree with everyone who said "use a martingale".   Martingales, and draw reins, and the like, are too "gimmikey" for me.  I have found that almost all problems can be fixed with time, effort, and training.  The problem with martingales (and draw reins, and all that stuff) is that it does not teach the horse anything, just prevents them from doing it.  When you take it off, they act just the same as they did before.  I have found that it is better to let them commit the crime, then deal the punishment, so they learn that it is no fun to act all prissy and silly.  You have two options.  I have used both on prissy horses, they work equally well.  Pick based on personal preference.

1.  Trot her off, and when she throws her head and gets all mad, make her canter or trot fast in small circles or figure eights.  This will teach her that it is easier to trot off without a fuss then to throw her head up and get all ticked off.

2.  Get a mecardi on your reins (if you dont have one, use a crop).  When she throws her head up and gets all prissy, smack her between the ears.  Smack hard enough that it gets her attention, but not so hard that it causes her to flip over backwards.  It is important that you do not change your body position and that you do not make noise while you do it.  You want her to think that there is a solid board above her head, and that she is running into it when she throws her head.  The more you can make a horse think they did it to themselves, the quicker they will correct the behavior.  

Good luck!

Answer 6

You could get a martingale for the horse which would prevent her from pulling her head up, this goes round the horses neck and loops through the girth.

An explanation is here:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martingale_...

Here is some you can buy from Robinsons for £10 upwards

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/products/sea...

I used this on my horse when he was young and he rode well with it, I hope this helps.  You could also try riding her with a flash on to give you more control over her.  What kind of bit are you using now? I would recommend a snaffle then try her with the flash/martingale and see if this reduces your problem!

Answer 7

Have her teeth looked at. So many horses out there with bad habits!

It's not a silly question. Does she only do this with you aboard? I don't know how you ride, but you need some gear to help with keeping her head in check. Is the bit too loose in her mouth? Does she have the right size bit? Is the chin strap perhaps pinching her, or perhaps the bit is too small and pinches? Is the saddle a good fit on her?

Check all these things.

Answer 8

When she does this, pull her around in a tight circle, it's more work for her and will disengage the hindquarters, effectively stopping forward movement. Try walking her off again, if she gets her head up and trots, turn her around again. Do this until she will walk off calmly. She may just be excited about excercise and wants a good run. If that's the case, try lunging her before you ride to take the edge off.

Answer 9

You could use a tie down if nothing else, but my uncle has a piece of training equipment he still uses on his docile 21 year old stallion that likes to throw his head. It goes on like a breast strap and has rings all down it. You clip a second long pair of reinds to the bit and run them throught the appropriate rings. Lower down for more severe cases. You can pull the second set of reins to pull the horses head down, hold them steady to keep it where it is, or let them out if he needs his head up like if he's going up hill or something.

Answer 10

MARTINGALE

Answer 11

the only thing you can do is out persist the horse. When it has a spaz, squeeze harder. When it behaves, let it slow down. It will learn to deal with it.

Answer 12

There are many things that can cause this.

You will need to rule them out one at a time.

Yes the bit might be wrong or uncomfortable

her teeth need to be checked

is she wearing a flash nose band that is too tight?,

her saddle may pinch her when you go into trot,

she may even be ultra sensitive to your leg or rein aid.

You really need to work on a process of elimination.

Good luck.

Answer 13

a tie down