Picking my horses head up?

Question

my horse is a very "long, low and slow" kinda guy, naturally low headset...which is fine when we are just hacking around. he is very hunter like...but i event and i get aggrivated like when i am schooling dressage and he is round...but his head is down lower than it should be. i try picking him up with my leg, but it seems impossible.

also, when i jump he wont pick his head up! and this concerns me because if his head is down he can buck

what can i do to make him lift his neck and front end UP?

Answer 1

try shortening your reins, and raising your hands.  With enough practice you won't need to do it, but for now I would suggest that.

Answer 2

if your horse has a naturally low headset and your complaining about it there's something wrong with you. pick up his shoulders. and drive him threw your seat and leg, he should come up into your hands a little more. you also have to realize just because you want to do this event with that horse doesn't mean he's suited for it. its really sounds like he would shine in the hunter ring.

Answer 3

i rode my breed show POA in hunter jumpers for awhile and its really not a good idea. those natural headsets, when you mess them up it causes all kinds of issues. lots of back pain and it makes them get strung out and not come up under themselves. you might be able to arch his neck to make his head come up a little bit.and if you think he will buck, he will. so just be confident with him and if he is slow maybe this is not for him! you might need a new horse that loves doing jumping/dressage and that his built for what you want to do.

Answer 4

i think amy s pretty much covered everything! lol

but i know she said lots of leg...that doesnt mean to hold ur leg on or give LOTS of squeezes to where ur horse becomes dull to your leg...then u'll just b creating another vice so just wanted to add that in.

Answer 5

Hold your hands higher than you normally would. When he drops his head, lift it up by lifting one rein, then let go. Every time he drops it, pick it up and let go again. Make sure you're sitting back deep in your saddle and use LOTS of leg to help get him on his hind end.

We had olympic rider Buddy Brown do a clinic and he said you should always school with your hands high and light and do everything with your seat. He rode my "freight train" mare holding the reins with one finger!!!! And made her look like a million bucks!!!

Another idea: I asked Aaron Vale last week about this contraption he had attached to his horse's bridle. He said it was one of those anti-grazing devices used so a pony can't drop his head and eat grass. He put it on his mare and made it pretty tight to keep her head up and her front end light. Very simple, but effective!