What can you suggest?

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horsegirl

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To encourage a horse to carry his head a bit higher? This is a horse who has been ridden in draw reins/market harborough for many years and now carries his head so low his rider is almost yanked out of the saddle. Any suggestions ?
 
if safe, schooling with no contact, holding buckle of reins, encouraging self carriage including lateral work???

that's where i would start... does he hack out like this??
 
The more rein you give the lower the head goes, he is 17 also. I have hacked him a couple of times (he is not my horse) but I don't remember him doing this probably as he was more excited.
 
I would think the best way woud be to try and push him forward from your leg to bring him off his forehand. It may take a while though for him to get out of the habit if he has been repeatedly schooled in draw reins (hate the things!)
smile.gif
 
ditto jump the moon get him going forward more and do lots of transitions as well........walk for 4 strides, trot for 4 stride, back to walk etc.....
 
I had this exact problem when I bought my horse. Takes a lot of leg and a lot of patience. Keep riding forward into the contact you want. It'll take a while for the right muscles to develop. I found hacking on a long rein first helped him stretch out then I'd go in the school and do a little work at a time.

It took about 18 months for my boy to figure it all out but was definately worth the effort.

Good luck.
 
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