Lowering a horses head when hes excited?

[QueenDee_]

Quick question- may be loaning a 17hh ex-racer who likes to pretend he is a giraffe... ie whenever he gets excited up comes the head! (he once whacked it back and gave the owner a nose-bleed) and I was just wondering if theres anything I can do to lower it, i'm not talking outline or anything, of course thats going to come with schooling, but generally as he does come very close to your face! (yes I know...sit back ) Also he does mini rears when excited, and the head comes up then too.

Someone suggested a skeepskin noseband?

Any comments much appreciated!

 

[ellie_e]

Standing martingale! or sheepskin noseband (personally never tried this though)

 

[Shavings]

i would say a martingale is needed

 

[QueenDee_]

He currently has a running martingale on, but doesn't make that much difference...always thought standing martingales look like they could cause more trouble than they prevent?

 

[bumblelion]

I find with my exracer, martingales make him fight more. Sheepskin nosebands do help as he can't see as well where he's going with his nose in the air! My boy occasionally does this, especially when excited! I keep my legs on and ride him through it. He's never come for far up to have knocked me in the face though!

 

[Lolo]

Reg used to do this (and still prefers to have his head slightly higher going into fences) and a lot of getting him to work forwards into a consistent contact helped. However, he spent a week under her instructor's supervision with a properly fitted elasticated standing martingale on and it also helped no end.

 

[Suziq77]

I use a bungee and a running martingale when hacking youngsters which throw their heads, just to remind them to keep listening to my legs and seat. The bungee should be loose enough that it only comes into play if the horse puts its head right up, it shouldn't be tight enough to be "holding" the head down, i.e. it only comes into play if needed. The martingale is largely so that I have something to clip the bungee to, plus a neckstrap to hold if needed. Then I leave the martingale on for a while after the bungee comes off.

I don't use them in the school.

 

[Kat]

I would try a standing martingale if he chucks his head high enough to be a danger. They only act on the nose so don't interfere with the contact and don't risk damaging the horse.

Or you could try a market harborough.

 

[flyingfeet]

As above a standing martingale to save noses (a must on polo ponies as they use them to turn)

And a market harborough for retraining if riding english

 

[theorangehorse]

Be a bit wary of standing martingales- they do have their place- as I know for a fact my mare who I have the same problem with(once nearly broke my cheek bone) would fight one and probably do more damage with the restriction than without.

 

[Tickles]

Trust.

If it is over excitement you need him to think more about you and what you're asking.

If it is fear (I had this with a previous share Arab, I didn't get a nose bleed but did taste ears a couple of times!) you need him to trust you more.

Either way start slowly doing things that neither of you find that exciting/scary and build up. Boring but valuable.

A running martingale helped us a little (one of the ear-tasting times was the first time I didn't have it fot jumping in a slightly spooky arena) but in my situation it was the kind of horse who got more scared when 'trapped' and would have been likely to fight anything fixed.

 

[ellie_e]

I use a standing martingale with an elastic insert and also a running martingale at the same time. If the standing doesnt have the elastic your saddler will sew some in. I also jump in this

 

[Daisy2]

How about the hot potato give. Use a gentle snaffle in the standing position take up contact with one rein then the other so you have equal contact eventually, taking one rein first takes out the bracing, then hold it and when the horse gives the slightest give/softens, let go of the reins as if they are hot, you can then progress on from this in walk and trot, start off with no contact then when you want to halt do the same as before, he may start walking backwards but still hold your position and let go as soon as he gives the slightest try. Good luck

 

[Merry Crisis]

How about the hot potato give. Use a gentle snaffle in the standing position take up contact with one rein then the other so you have equal contact eventually, taking one rein first takes out the bracing, then hold it and when the horse gives the slightest give/softens, let go of the reins as if they are hot, you can then progress on from this in walk and trot, start off with no contact then when you want to halt do the same as before, he may start walking backwards but still hold your position and let go as soon as he gives the slightest try. Good luck

The above!! I do this exercise in the stable before I even get on. It can be done with just a head collar and lead rope. Bring the head round and the trick is the release as soon as the horse softens.

 

[QueenDee_]

Thanks for all the replys! I think if I DO loan the horse then I may try a market harborough to see if it has any effects, as when he does decide to take advantage of his long legs its sort of a throw head up and go jobby, however I would of course also work on getting him listening etc and not allowing him to get to the point of loosing his head and getting over excited

Bot 100% sure if i'll end up loaning though...the people have now come back and said they'd rather we bought... *grumblegrumble*

 

[Maddie2412]

my exracer does the same thing launches his head back when he gets excited... i put him in a sheepskin as couldnt change the bit even if i thought it would make a difference and martingale does nothing... makes a world of difference actually moved him into a grackle now so can't use it anymore but he was crossing his jaw too much but yes sheepskin would be my first port of call...

 

[Twilkolock]

Some thoughts:
1. Is he moving his head upwards to try to avoid mouth/bit pain?
2. If not, then it's a re-schooling rather than gadit issue, in my opinion. When a horse holds it's head high it's normally accelerating beyond the control of the rider. In my opinion, the horse doesn't properly understand bit pressure and when it should slow or stop. This is normally because the pressure has been inconsistenly applied by the rider.
In my opinion it needs re-schooling where there is a clear emphasis on releasing rein pressure as soon as the horse slows or stops [whichever the rider is asking.] so that the horse clearly understand when it should stop or slow and is under the control of the rider.
In my opinion, any type of martingale will put indirect contract/pressure on the reins/noseband which will interfer with the re-training of the 'stop' response (ie, rein contact/pressure and release.)
To me the horse sounds like he needs to finish his eduation so that he's mannerly and not dangerous.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

...the people have now come back and said they'd rather we bought... *grumblegrumble*

Do NOT let them put you under pressure to now buy - particularly if you were ONLY looking for a loan horse! Its not as if you have even got the horse yet.....