Arrrgggghhhhh!!

[malibu211211]

Please help

My horse is a giraffe or so he thinks

We have noticed when you ask for trot or canter on Monty he sticks his head right up in the air, giraffe style. Had a look at saddle and saddle did'nt fit so had saddler out today. Found a few lovely saddles that fit him well and he still does a giraffe impression

Our physio is not back from hols until end of August but am going to get her to check him over. Have ran finger's along back but found no obvious tender spots

Teeth have been done so I know they are O.K
Have spoken to previous loaner and she has said that he has always done this. They used to hold onto the right rein really tightly and give away the other and then he used to drop his head

Don't wanna be doing that but has anyone got any ideas?
He does come round nicely in walk it's just in trot he goes along like a giraffe. He will drop if you keep on but he does throw a strop beforehand and get all stuffy and come back at you! Is he just taking the p*ss?
Please help
Thanx

 

[hannah87]

u need to go back a level with him, if u are wanting him to work in a correct outline, then forcing his head down like his prvious owners may may him look corrcect to the novice eye but will actually prevent him from using himself effectively . he obviously finds ist hard to work properly hence the giraffe impression so he prob has a build up of incorrect muslces and needs the right ones built up instead. it is frustrating but dont get in an argument with him and try to force him or all he will do is jst bend his neck which u dont want. instead try to forget about his head and get him working forward from behind, tracking up etc , encourage him to bend and drop his head but only with soft hands, half halts etc, as soon as he does give, reward with softening and try to hold him between leg and hand. it will take time and patience but perseve - also he will find it difficult so sont over do it. u could try draw reins on a lunge but make sure u know wat u r doing or have sum1 with u, and make sure the horse is using his back end properly, good luck

 

[Nickijem]

I agree with bramble - my horse Jerry did a lot of 'nose-poking' to start with when i first bought him. I only concentrated on making him go forward into a contact but didn't worry about where his head was. As he has got fitter, he has stopped nose-poking and works in a lovely outline. Each time he relaxes his jaw, I was sure to reward him by softening and only did a few minutes trotting at a time - long enough to enable him to relax into a rhythm but not too long to tire him.

 

[Skhosu]

I would get a good instructor to have a look. My boy throws his head into canter unless yo control the outside shoulder using your outside rein whilst giving and taking slightly with the inside rein