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At 05:50:10 on 14.02.10, billybob wrote: I have a Gorgeous just turned 4 yr old Paint, Gelding Billy Bob... I have had him since he was 9 months old.. Had him Broken at 2.. We are best friends, but been through a few very rough patches as we all do. Its all learning and growing together.. His bad habits a Shying at most things but getting better wth both our confidence:)he scares at being tied low, High on a tree fine low pulls and freaks out but that is due to a bad experience, but once again getiing better:) but worst of all His Continuous Head throwing High into the air.. I use a rope around his kneck which I tie from one side of the saddle to the other over the reins to prevent his head been lifted.. He was broken with this so hard to teach him without it.. A Nose band makes no difference.. The rope does work, but would like to have the confidence on both sides to ride without this.. Is this just because the way he was Broken ( Western and Barrel and Buy Body Language not the bit or bridle) or because he Is still very young... When I get hm Into a Trot or canter or gallop he will fight the Bitt and throw his head i feel the need to keep pulling his head down and hanging on too tight.. I dont use Billy for anything even though he was taught that way.. I didnt know that in the beginning.. I just want him as a pleasure, safe sound horse to ride...
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At 08:38:49 on 14.02.10, YasandCrystal wrote: Hi billybob, what a beautiful paint horse you have. Only a short comment to say I have owned 3 horses with a high head carriage. One was a tb - ex racer and always ridden in a 'market harborough' (for the 8 years after leaving the track before coming to us), which for those who don't know is a martingale device that branches and clips onto the reins, so the shortening of the reins also draws the head down and in (a little lke draw reins). He was alwaysa a star gazer without this device on. The second horse had a really short neck and upright shoulder which made him have a naturally high head carriage and made working bent and low hard work for him. And my current mare walked around like a giraffe for months - even UNRIDDEN, which was probably the most telling sign. She has spikes on her teeth (despite the fact had had them seen to twice!!). Once a recommended dentist saw her and sorted all this sharp spikes she became fine - although this took time due to the remembered pain. Your horse is young - so it could be teeth or back? Just thought I would share these stories with you incase 1 helps. Good luck!
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At 19:46:22 on 14.02.10, plodalong wrote: hi, Billy bob, have you tried your beautiful horse in a natural hackamore, im only asking because my lad did a lot of head tossing until we went to a parelli clinic and rode with a natural hackamore, Bo was a different horse and i did go back to using a bit but the head shaking began again,He had had his teeth and back checked, when the bit was once again removed he was a pleasure to ride, Just a suggestion.
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At 22:35:06 on 14.02.10, Em28 wrote: Hiya, Billybob looks lovely! You may have already checked but this could be a sign of dental problems as YasandCrystal mentioned. Is it only when ridden that he resists the contact? Also, have you tried riding in an enclosed area with just the headcollar does he still do this? Is he also reluctant to take the bit? Generally head tossing would be sign of something being uncomfortable, perhaps the rope is? But I do remember a youngster I rode she used to out of excitement I think, as she would buck and leap around a bit too, I just made sure I rode really quietly and sensitively not worrying too much about her head but more concentrating on going forwards etc and she stopped the habit after a few months when she was more chilled out with being ridden and it wasn't so exciting to be sat on! Goodluck with it all
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At 05:29:30 on 15.02.10, billybob wrote: Thank you all so much for your stories and help.. I have Had His teeth done but deffinately will get them checked again:) His Back I had Bowen done on him 6 months ago and the lady said he was very tight in the shoulders, but also would'nt hurt to get his back re-checked. I did try a Martingale and It worked for a while then he decided he would toss his head sideways.. Cheaky boy lol. and broke It.. Also mentioned, It could be beacause He Is still very young and gets excited.. And until he winds down and gets all the excitement out he will then stop, and I guess I focus to much on his head, which makes me tense so I will just learn to sit back and focus on the ride not his head.. Thanks everyone for you help Much Appreciated Billy Bob:)
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At 14:20:53 on 18.02.10, sophieandcallum wrote: Hi billybob, beautiful horse. I would say it is either his teeth, back or the bit you are using. Usually it is sharp edges to the teeth that make them throw their head or when a bit is hitting the roof of the mouth, but also him being tense in the back would cause this. If he was tense 6 months ago...I would have him checked again. I have my horses back and teeth checked every 6months even if nothing appears to be wrong. You can never be too careful with a young horse. Good luck!
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At 12:41:36 on 22.02.10, Natasha wrote: Rocco, My pony , in the school and on hacks he will throw his head to the ground so his nose touches the floor in canter, trot, walk and gallop and when we are jumping. He tends to put his head to the ground alot and when he does the saddle comes forward and ends up on his neck. Now, the saddle is in the right place and the girth is tight but it comes forward, but has anyone got any tips on keeping his head up (he can get strong!)
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At 16:58:29 on 23.02.10, Flicka wrote: Hi billybob-interesting that your Bowen lady said he had tight shoulders-this will be linked to the high head carriage. Make sure your saddle isn't pinching and that it's not trapping the back of the shoulder- a lot of people place their saddles too far forward. Trouble is he's stuck in flight mode, physically/ emotionally which is why he's also breaking away when tied. This is often due to problems at the poll. Teeth probs can also cause knock on soreness at the poll and into the shoulders. After you've had the back and teeth checked then I would really slow your horses pace when riding using slow,deep breathing, trying not to use your hand, and encourage him to stretch out and down. Get him to learn that this is ok, and a nice safe place to be. Hi Natasha-sounds like he's trying to avoid using his back end so you need to get him stepping more under himself but avoid using your hand too much. Not an easy one. Or is he just trying to stretch through his back and trying to release something? Dazzle might be able to help you on this one.
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At 11:23:45 on 24.02.10, billybob wrote: Thanks heeps for all your advice :):):) Billy Bob:):)
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At 19:23:19 on 02.03.10, ToriSilverson wrote: Hey i have problems with my horse like this, he loves to "stargaze" as we call it. iv had him nearly 2 years and we tried many different thing to get him to carry his head lower. Alot of lunging with side reins on helped, starting of loose and gradually tightening to build up the muscle needed to hold the head in an outline. This worked to a point but he still wouldnt hold his head right when i was on his back and would stick his nose in the air, then i started lunging him with side reins then riding an then lunging to finish. and i lunged him with people on his back with the side reins on and now hes getting the idea and is riding in an outline without much fuss. hope this helps
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