In hand showing - horse has low head carriage

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IcarusGirl

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Does anyone have any in-hand exercises I can do to teach my horse to have a slightly higher head carriage in hand?

He's a welsh D, and is a little downhill, and I know the obvious answer is to teach him to move more from behind. This is coming slowly under saddle, which I think will help translate to in-hand in time...

Other than hold my hand a little higher under his chin, I'm stumped to what I can do when practising in hand at home. It would be great to hear any tips/tricks.

He's shown in an in hand bridle, btw.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
If this is the same one as in your other (whp) post, then I'd work on it as he must have presented well enough to be a finalist in open champs at RIHS
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Thank you :)

I think I also need to accept he's a ridden type of D rather than an in hand type. He's very mannerly, and so moves quietly and neatly next to me.
 
It's always worth looking at improving posture, so I would look to groundwork that lifts the thoracic sling - more or less what MissTyc has said. I like Manolo Mendez' DVD/download and something like Jec Ballou 55 exercises and other books.
 
sbloom said:
It's always worth looking at improving posture, so I would look to groundwork that lifts the thoracic sling - more or less what MissTyc has said. I like Manolo Mendez' DVD/download and something like Jec Ballou 55 exercises and other books.
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Thats good, thank you.

I have been working on increasing thoracic sling strength whle ridden, so hopefully this will improve as the ridden continues to strengthen, but it's always useful to have book/dvd recommendations too!
 
IcarusGirl said:
Thank you :)

I think I also need to accept he's a ridden type of D rather than an in hand type. He's very mannerly, and so moves quietly and neatly next to me.
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They can be quite different I know what you mean I have had experience of both there are a few that can do both, I have Arab's and the in hand horses are often very different from the in hand type in a similar context but you do do get some that can do both.

I would have a go at what you really fancy doing and see how you go, I actually really like showing in hand the ridden can be a bit long winded but I have enjoyed it.
 
sbloom said:
It's always worth looking at improving posture, so I would look to groundwork that lifts the thoracic sling - more or less what MissTyc has said. I like Manolo Mendez' DVD/download and something like Jec Ballou 55 exercises and other books.
Click to expand...

I have a mare that has been out of work for 9 months and the physio gave me some exercises to help the thoracic sling. But through sheer luck I found an easier way to help the horse. I bought her a hay play ball for the simple reason she is a gutsy pig who inhales her hay ration in a nano second and then stands sulking for hours on end.

The ball has been a revelation for her tummy muscles, she is forever having to step back as it moves so much. She has had it a couple of months now and has really improved, her tummy is tighter and her back is coming along nicely.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I have a mare that has been out of work for 9 months and the physio gave me some exercises to help the thoracic sling. But through sheer luck I found an easier way to help the horse. I bought her a hay play ball for the simple reason she is a gutsy pig who inhales her hay ration in a nano second and then stands sulking for hours on end.

The ball has been a revelation for her tummy muscles, she is forever having to step back as it moves so much. She has had it a couple of months now and has really improved, her tummy is tighter and her back is coming along nicely.
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Ooh stealing this idea!
 
AdorableAlice said:
I have a mare that has been out of work for 9 months and the physio gave me some exercises to help the thoracic sling. But through sheer luck I found an easier way to help the horse. I bought her a hay play ball for the simple reason she is a gutsy pig who inhales her hay ration in a nano second and then stands sulking for hours on end.

The ball has been a revelation for her tummy muscles, she is forever having to step back as it moves so much. She has had it a couple of months now and has really improved, her tummy is tighter and her back is coming along nicely.
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We feed breakfast in treat balls out in the field. Stops the arguing over feed buckets and the improvement of my older cobs topline and tummy muscles is surprising. Like you say they step backwards and forwards and really stretch as the balls roll about.
 
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