I need to lift her head - very front heavy

[Angelbones]

Any advice on how to lift my mare's head when cantering / jumping / hunting?

She is 15.1 (bay in siggie) but is built like a 16.2 on short legs! She is rather front heavy (physically built that way rather than just her way of going) and works well on the flat in a Myler comfort snaffle (have tried other Mylers that are meant to lift but doesn't help), and she jumps well in it also, but is very low on landing which can be unnerving. She isn't a strong horse to ride but is keen so a bit of brakes would be good too, but the leaning on the bit is taking its toll on my back. Pal took her xc at the weekend for the first time and she was keen to keep up with her pair of course but the leaning was more of a problem and had to come back to a trot for the downhill bits to get her back up to the rider and more balanced. Needless to say she came back with a sore mouth despite pal being a good rider with sympathetic hands and a good seat

Have tried a loose ring French link, but not much difference. And a Happy Mouth roller centre bubble bit (no difference). Keep reading about gags being good for getting the head up but aren't they a harsh bit (I always seem to see them being used on complete nutters!). Don't want to increase poll pressure either as that's the last thing she needs! I have a loose ring Waterford but haven't tried that yet xc. Last night read about a NS Jumper being good for getting the head up - anyone tried this?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

bits will not make any difference, I have learnt that. I have a very on the forehand cob cross and the best thing is schooling, schooling and schooling. You need to create impulsion from behind.

If she already has a sensitive mouth, leave her bits alone. I have had problems with mine.

Canter can be done, again lots of impulsion fgrom behind and keeping the contact so that she does not nosedive automatically. Will taker work and effort.

Mine is built on the forehand. If you want more breaks, what about a change of noseband. I have the same issue, I have just got H working lovely back in a loose ring snaffle, but now find brakes an issue, am going to invest in a grackle. (I HATE flashes)

 

[lizzieuk1]

as said really its all about schooling and teaching her to carry herself properly not leaning on you etc, however i have found that a gag does help alot with the head down thing, just on the first (mildest) ring it has helped H in canter alot, combined with lots of flat work and lunging -lots of trot canter transitions,he now carries himself v well in canter, try one and see.

 

[the watcher]

I only have Highlands at the moment, and they seem predisposed to travel mostly on the forehand. The only thing that will lighten them is proper schooling, very regularly and keeping them moving forward off the leg - they then seem to find their own balance and can lift in front. There are no quick fixes.

 

[Shilasdair]

You need to think less about 'lifting her head' and more about 'lowering her hindquarters' - she will only be lighter in front when she is carrying more weight behind.
I'm afraid this means lots of schooling on the flat - to engage her hindquarters, so exercises like leg yield, shoulder-in, circles, riding 'squares', correctly ridden full and half transitions (half halt) and maybe lunging with side reins would all help.
S

 

[BankEndRescue]

try using a pessoa. there are 3 different settings which encourage correct head carriage, engage the HQ's and lighten the forehand. It must be used slowly and at the correct level but I have used one on a few of my horses and find them brilliant and the horses have always come out of their training very well balanced

 

[ladyt25]

I find mine goes very nicely in a dutch gag on the 2nd ring as he is built sof of down hill so has a tendency to go on the forehand. However, a lot of schooling and balancing him has helped but the gag just gives me that extra bit of brakes, steering and control when jumping ro x-country as i can get his head up, and his hindquarters underneath him so he doesn't flatten jumping.

Oh and to point out he is by no means a nutter at all, he is a connemara x TB he just likes his job but, if let to get long and low he has a tendency to have a 'look' at fences esp with fillers first before deciding if safe to jump!! Having the ability to get his head up stops this(he does like to take the pee at any given opportunity)! Am very pleased with him today though as he came 4th yesterday in a fairly tough ODE!