Holding head high??

[Kat0111]

Hi all,

So i have ridden out on my mother in laws 21 year old Arabian gelding a couple of times now (she walks with me as i am a big wimp and want us all to get used to it before i take him out alone) we only walking slowly along the lanes, don't trot or venture up onto the moor (yet!). I have noticed that he holds his head very high, and seems very alert, not tossing it about, just held high. In recent years he has only been ridden by 1 lady, who is a very experience instructor. So I am wondering is he holding his head high because it is all a bit new for him and he is very aware that i am not his usual rider, will get used to it and start to relax a little? Or is it because I am a relatively inexperienced rider and am probably not as balanced as i should be or is it something else? He is easy to control and he isn't constantly fighting me to canter off or anything..

I'm just wondering really..

Thanks

 

[Cortez]

He's an arab; it's what they do.....

 

[Amye]

Some horses naturally have a high head carriage. Arabs especially are known for having a high head carriage so this may just be the way he is.


TBH it could be a combination of all those things. I think when any horse (certainly my horse) is uncertain of their surroundings they hold their head higher than normal as they are constantly on the look out for danger. How long have you owned the horse? Is this a new hacking/riding route for him? If not very long and yes, then this is probably the likely cause, my horse will plod along with head low when in the farm fields but if I take him somewhere new, or something spooks him, then he will put his head up high, and if he is really uncertain he carries it much higher and snorts/breathes very heavily. He doesn't necessary bomb off or anything but if his head is high i know he's not sure.

They can also hold their head high when they are excited - basically they want a good look at their surroundings!

 

[Kat0111]

Haha, really! Thanks for that, i have ridden him years ago, just couldn't remember him doing it (I suppose i have ridden lots of other non Arabs since)!

Thanks again

 

[Kat0111]

Some horses naturally have a high head carriage. Arabs especially are known for having a high head carriage so this may just be the way he is.


TBH it could be a combination of all those things. I think when any horse (certainly my horse) is uncertain of their surroundings they hold their head higher than normal as they are constantly on the look out for danger. How long have you owned the horse? Is this a new hacking/riding route for him? If not very long and yes, then this is probably the likely cause, my horse will plod along with head low when in the farm fields but if I take him somewhere new, or something spooks him, then he will put his head up high, and if he is really uncertain he carries it much higher and snorts/breathes very heavily. He doesn't necessary bomb off or anything but if his head is high i know he's not sure.

They can also hold their head high when they are excited - basically they want a good look at their surroundings!

Thanks for this. The usual rider has offered to walk out with my sometime, I think I will take her up on this kind offer and I am sure she will give me some pointers. I am desperate to go out alone, I hate having to make all of these people 'escort' me, but i really don't want to set myself up for disaster!

Thanks again!

 

[Amye]

Thanks for this. The usual rider has offered to walk out with my sometime, I think I will take her up on this kind offer and I am sure she will give me some pointers. I am desperate to go out alone, I hate having to make all of these people 'escort' me, but i really don't want to set myself up for disaster!

Thanks again!

If you're unsure then it is always best to get someone to go with you Especially if it's someone who is used to the horse they can tell you little things the horse may spook at and give you any tips on how to handle it.

And don't feel bad - if they'd offered to walk out then it's fine! My boyfriend started riding my horse around 8 months ago and I have walked out with him tons of times - we did a 2 hour ride on Saturday! - I don't mind at all, I love seeing him enjoying my horse and we get to have a good chat and everyone is relaxed and safe

 

[Pinkvboots]

Yes its definitely what Arabs do I have 2 of them and they are on full alert on a hack and that often means head up and ready to take flight if necessary, although mine are schooled and go in a lovely outline in the school hacking can be exciting for them, I try to make it a bit difficult for them and get them using their brain so they focus on something positive, so I often do a bit of schooling on a hack leg yield is a good one can do that in walk and trot, I also don't let them slob along on a hack I get them working properly so it takes more effort and then less energy to be silly, you might also find going out with another horse may help one of mine is much much worse on his own and he get confidence from another horse being there.

I love Arabs I don't think you can beat them for a riding horse they can be over sensitive but most I have known never do anything dangerous, you kind have have learn to sit and laugh at there antics and relax they get a huge amount of confidence from the rider.