What are some tips I can use to get my beginning Western Pleasure horse to carry his head lower?

Question

What are some tips I can use to get my beginning Western Pleasure horse to carry his head lower?

Answer 1

We always bump their heads down with our writs and things but while you are doing that you need to put your spur on them to keep them moving or you need to move your leg to make them go forward because some horses have spur stops. Also you can put draw reins on them with a snaffle or twisted snaffle bit on and do the same things with your legs and hands. Also you can lunge him/her all tacked up and then put on the bridle with split reins and tie them to each side of the saddle but make sure if the tie is correct so the horse don't get hurt. and you can also put a halter under the bridle so that you won be pulling on that one side of the bit. I will put a pic.

Answer 2

This is the horse racing section.

Answer 3

you can try draw rains for about 2-3 weeks then you should try with out them and if he/she still carries their head high then try for 1 week again! and then he/she will be trained.....hopefully

Answer 4

You can try draw reins, but be careful with them, and don't use them unless you've got excellent hands.  I don't know if western types use draw reins or if they're a purely English-style invention, but they're a very useful tool when used correctly.  If you haven't tried them before, I'd advise working with a trainer the first few times you use them.

Answer 5

Sounds like you need your horse to drive himself into the bit... when using two hands and split reins, i would suggest widening your hands and "bumping" his face (mouth) with your wrists... this will encourage him to drop his head. Also, make sure to keep him moving forward with your legs.  It takes practice to master it, but once the horse understands to drop his head riding him feels much better. Eventually once he learns this method, he should automatically do it when neck-reined.

Answer 6

Use your legs to push him onto the bit.  When his head comes up, you should pull with the reins so that you have contact with the bit, and at the same time you should squeeze hard with your legs.  When he puts his head back down, release your hands.  It takes a lot of practice to get him to keep his head down all the time, but that's what you should do...  pull and squeeze, then release.  It should get to the point where you don't have to use your hands very much and you can give a little squeeze with your legs and his head will go back down.

Draw reins would help...  but you should use the same methods...  don't use the draw reins to hold his head down...  he has to learn to do it for himself.  So even with draw reins, you should get a little contact with the bit and squeeze with your legs, then release.  I know it seems easier just to hold his head down, but it's not really teaching him as much as if you release.  Besides, you can't hold his head down in a show with those long draped reins that you have to use for Western Pleasure.  Good luck!