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workin on head posture2007-11-25 17:00:53

my mare is always not holding her head right. well we are moving from western to english and jumping.. she is taking it very well. but she is not wanting to hold her head right and she won't back up.. which is very stange.. she would always back up for me.. but i've tired a tie down and no luck i've tryed presure and release. not luck. should i change the bit to a pro header or a losse seven shank or show curb, all with sweet iron?? or a swivel shank correction bit. will this look bad in the english gear or is there a english bit that does the same kind of work.. i have worked with horses but you always need out side help thank you for your help..

Answers:

try a stainless steel eggbutt bit with an oval mouth, if you don't have time to go buy one before you work with her what she normally uses is fine. use draw reins. that's what out trainer did when we had the same problem, they work b/c they use force from the underside of the bit which makes them put their head down. instead of normal reins which use more central and upper pressure from the bit. if she's a quick learner it shouldn't take more than a month before you can use regular reins on her and her head&neck will be in the right spot. if she's older (11 & up) you will probably have to work with her for 50-80 days before she gets the idea. if you work with her on the off-season she should be ready to go by show time!

as for the backing up, work with her on the ground back her upu for 10 sec. reward her then do it like that for a couple min. and try to do it every day, she will probably be more responsive

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I would say that you may be moving a little to quickly for her. You may want to do some streaching with her by taking treats and holding them by her side and her belly. To get the horse to set its head I would use draw reins, and do some dressage. Also, sit back and virate your fingers. Don't give up it took me 4 months. When trying to back her up make sure you are giving her clear signals. Don't kick or cluck because that means go forward. I would also find a bit that your horse likes. Harsher bits will NOT make them set their head more it made my pony worse. I would try a simple snaffle.