How to i get my horse to stop bobbing her head?

Question

whenever i ask my thoroughbred mare to canter,she starts putting her head way up in the air and bobbing it around. how can i stop her from doing this?

Answer 1

Usually this behavior is a sign of discomfort and/or confusing signals.

What that means is that the horse is either in pain, or you might be confusing her with your aids.

I would check the mare's tack. Ill-fitting tack can cause major behavioral issues. Does the saddle pinch? Does the bit pinch? Is anything pushing on her withers or shoulder?

If you're not sure how to check this on your own, get someone to help you. Fixing tack-fit is key to a sane/calm horse.

If there's nothing wrong with the mare's equipment, then I would also make sure she's 100% sound- if necessary get a chiropractor out there to examine your mare.

Once you've run through the "Could it be pain" aspects, its time to look at your riding.

As a trainer, I see MANY Students who ask the horse to GO but at the same time, they're pulling back with their reins, or clenching with their knees, etc.

Make sure when you ask your mare to canter, you've given her enough rein for her to move out. And make sure your seat and legs are supple and willing to accept to movement.

Answer 2

it could b a Tack problem or some confusion about ur cues ur using { r u trying anything new ? } if not how long has it been since da horses teeth have been floated ? the growth or movement of the teeth can evn cause the usual bit to b painful. And if neither one of the aforementioned possibilities is the problem it may b a 'new' behavioral problem the horse has developed; sometimes head bobbing can b a sign of aggression or confusion. {r u working the horse daily so there is no time 4 a play day? the horse can grow 2 resent 'working out' thus start 'acting out' like any child would. if this is a behavioral problem u can try using a Martingale or some other 'tie down' to break the bobbing habit while at the same time changing ur habits which set this new behavior off.

Answer 3

Most likely she's doing this to avoid the bit, aka "coming above" the bit.  What kind of bit are you using?  Try another (more gentle or equal to what you're using).  Such as a single or french link snaffle, if you're now using a leverage bit of some type (eglish or western).  Make sure you're not bumping her in the  mouth as she attempts to strike off into the canter.  Rough hands will cause this behaviour.  If she doesn't do this when cantering at liberty, then I guarantee you that it's either your hands or her back (pain)  that's causing the problem.  The other factor to consider is her past - if she's new to you, this may have become an ingrained habit, so that she now anticipates discomfort (from bit or back) when she's asked to canter.  If she's been going along with her head in the air, she WILL end up with a sore back, eventually, even if the primary cause of her high-headedness is mouth discomfort.  How she works with no one inhibiting her will be a key #1 to the answer.

Answer 4

Put a "Running Martingale" on her and train her not to do it.  Do not use a "Tie Down", this will only prevent it, but will NEVER teach her to stop.  Therefore, you will never be able to go without it.  

You need to TEACH her to stop.  

A Running Martingale hooks on the breast collar and has two rings on the ends.   You then run the reins through the rings.  

When she misbehaves, you take away the freedom of her head.  When she behaves, you give it back.  She will learn VERY quickly (in a day, no doubt) that being good means the freedom of movement with her head, and that is her reward.  

Being bad, means NO free head.

Thumbs down, you better try this.   I have worked with countless horses who threw their heads, reared, and bucked; and have been able to correct them ALL in a matter of hours with the use of a Running Martingale.   I have a Mustang right now that I wouldn't let anyone but the MOST experienced rider on, and he is a beauty for me.  He has the utmost respect for me.  I have Many, Many testimonials from horse owner's who's horses I have corrected from this behaviour.  I hope the person who asked this question will be one of them.  Please, give it a try - it works wonders on the bad behaviours of head tossing...

Answer 5

It is sometimes a sign of discomfort. Just double check everything is fitting okay, and there's nothing to make her irritated.

I recently had a 6yo who would put his head up whenever i asked him to canter. His tack was fitting fine, but he was just saying "i'm too lazy for this, i should only canter when i'm ready to spook" :p haha. I managed to overcome this by lots and lots of cantering, giving and taking with the reins, and just telling him his a good boy when he does bring his head down. Just keep working at it, and make sure your horse feels relaxed.