Head in the clouds?

[picolenicole]

Right I have the worlds best horse ever that good that sometimes I think he's to good for me. I've only ever had older horses and this one is 4, so it's all new to me.

Right because of his age eveything is well worth looking at, good but not at the same time.

He will stick his head right up in the air and not come back down, the more I ask the higher it goes until we fall out. I.E I get off as I cann't get him to come down, or we go flat out ( I don't/cann't hit him as he was hit before we got him, due to the reaction I got when I tapped his bum for his attention!!)

I have tried a martingale but this is then just something he can pull aganst.
A
ny ideas on how I can make myself better understood??

 

[1275gta]

My first thought is teeth. Have you had them checked?

 

[picolenicole]

Yeah they were done when I got him only had him 2 months, he's only just started to do this. He used to get the bit then pull down, now he goes the other way!! Confused!!!!!!!!

 

[lauradean]

Aside from a teeth issue, head in the air is usually something in the back. I would have a massage therapist or chiro, come take a look - especially if this is new behavior.

Putting his head way up there completely allows to him avoid using his back. Do you know how to lunge in a "gogue"?
It has to be done in an educated way, but it will get your horse stretching right down and into the contact.

Riding with draw reins between the legs for just a few rides will also help you determine if it IS the horse's back, because he will do everything to avoid bringing his head down and rounding his back, BUT, again, side reins have to be used by a very educated rider (which you could be!)

 

[picolenicole]

I have had side reins on before (but not on him), done lunging and long reining but never used "gogue"??

I'll have his back looked at, he only does this in trot when he thinks something else is more worth his attention than me.

He's really starting to confuse me, everything I think it could be turns out not to be!

 

[moodymare1987]

If you have had his back, teeth etc checked. I would suggest getting an instructor.
You havent had him long really and he is still learning so best getting someone on the ground to see if you are giving him correct aids. Im not saying you are riding him wrong but its easier for someone to pick up what your doing wrong, rather than you thinking its the horse.
No offence meant by that