And it isn't physical, I don't use a bit and I often ride him bare back and he will still do it all the way home. So it's all in his head. And I don't want to use a martingale
2006-10-01 19:17:15 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
he has no pain, he's been checked out, i don't want to mask the problem by tying down his head
2006-10-01 19:25:26 · update #1
Sounds like you have a stubborn horse on your hands.
I realize that you don't use a bit but if you ever do, does the problem still occur? Does it happen with only you or with other riders?
Someone else mentioned to keep him occupied by giving treats (not too many) and lots of rewards for being well behaved. He may simply be bored with whatever routine you follow.
Try to tame the problem over the next few months. If that still doesn't work, alternate days using a light martingle.
2006-10-01 20:34:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Horses sometimes get into a habit of this. As long as you're sure there is no ear or back/neck problem, then it's a training issue. I work with my horses when standing by them and teach them a cue for "head down". Usually you have to start by putting your left hand on their nose, but if you are persistent, and reward as soon a the head goes down a little bit, they do catch on. Don't push hard on the nose, kind of rest your hand lightly so the head doesn't push against the pressure. Once this goes OK, then try putting the hand on the poll, behind the ear and do the same thing. You can work toward an area on the neck which you can reach while you're mounted, then. Horses can learn "head down". Remember ask with a soft voice and reward immediately for little movements and once the horse catches on ask for more. Make sure to train on both sides.
Your sit bones could hurt the horses back. Do you have a bareback pad? It depends on how much natural padding you have and your horse has. It may or may not be a problem, just something to check.
If you do ever use a bit, try looking for dressage training where they have the horse stretch its head forward and down. It a position that is calming for the horse and strengthens its back.
2006-10-02 03:40:35 · answer #2 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't use a bit, what do you use? If its a mechanical hackamore, its WORSE than a bit. People have broken horses' noses with those things.
how long do you ride him? Make triple sure his back isn't sore.
Personally, if MY horse was throwing her head up so high that she was in danger of breaking my nose, the first thing I would would be to check her mouth, her back her legs, etc, AND have the vet out. If she was cleared, I'd take out that old tie down that's lying around somewhere in my basement (or borrow one) The thing about tie downs and standing martingales ( I don't like the running ones) is that they have to be adjusted properly. You should be able to put it on your horse and lift it up so that it touches where is neck meets his head without pulling your horses head in at all. If you can do that, then the horse will only hit the tie-down if he really is in danger of breaking your nose. too many people adjust them to tight, and i feel sorry for their horses.
After I put the tie-down on so my horse wouldn't kill me, i would start looking for a certified instructor would could work with me and my horse together.
Put that's just me
2006-10-02 19:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My young Arab Gelding used to do this to me. I had a bleeding nose a few times. Try another bit or hackamore.
the only thing that stopped my horse was a martingale, which annoyed me cause I always rode bareback. I started riding in a saddle with the martingale until I knew i was in control. He soon stopped throwing his head and I went back to bareback riding.
2006-10-02 08:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by luckycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
STOP i know the answer he he he noone got before me for once lol its a classic sign of head shaking which is caused by an allergic reaction to grass hay spores in the air and many other factors including the sun i know all of this coz i got one and the best thing for this is a nose net then u can have many happy hours of riding just look up Horses head shaking prob and it will comeup with somat and u can buy the nets on line u can use them in shows and u can get all colours happy ridding hun hope this was great help0 glad to help XXXXXXXXX
2006-10-03 07:57:18 · answer #5 · answered by playgirl_bixch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you dont use a bit, its not a mouth issue its a "I can so I will issue"!
Does he only do it with you? Watch someone else ride him and see if you can spot the "trigger" He may be demonstrating against "heavy riding" too much leg or heel, a sudden kick which is startling him, or pehaps if its only on the way home, he is just excited about getting there for his dinner? Break up your journey home with lots of little stops with a treat at each stop. His mind then will be focused on what treat he is getting next rather than the rush for home.
Take your time over this and think how he thinks. You will sort it with logic and patience.
2006-10-02 03:07:18 · answer #6 · answered by puffy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey, this one i can help you on, you have several options..
Seeing as you don't want to use a martingale, which would be a good choice, but you ride bare back, so that would be hard unless you rode with a bare back blanket, like a saddle blanket but with a girf and stirrups, which then you could use the martingale.. or another good and very affective option is to use a a bridal with a raring bit..but you need to be careful not to pull hard on it and need to ride loose rains until he starts throwing his head up..then you can pull on it, this will only be needed until he learns that when he throws his head, he will receive pain, by the way, it only hurts while you apply pressure, they learn fast, otherwise sweetie, your in it for life if you don't want to use this, because your horse will think he can do what he wants, and even if you take him to a trainer, they will use the same things, if not, they will be even crueler, remember, the horse needs to know your boss, to make sure when he does it, you yell NO..or behave, and apply pressure with the bit, trust me here,, they learn very fast and they will hardly ever do it again once they have learnt..i hoped i could help..
2006-10-02 10:02:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You said "all the way home" does he toss his head the entire ride just when he knows he's heading back to the barn? If it's only going back to the barn, try taking a different route. If he is barny, he is bobbing because he wants to get back to his buddies and/or hay. I don't agree with tying his head or any other inhumane method.
2006-10-04 13:06:12 · answer #8 · answered by The C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get like a leather strap thing(i don't know the name) and clp it on the saddle(they usually have hooks on the side or clip it on the stirrup or girth)and it's cheaper and does the same thing.Try using a hackamore. Instead of bitless or a snaffle. a hackamore will put pressure on the cheek and i use that on the horse RIDE.The orse was used t a bit when i GOT her and shewas always messing with it and we gave her a hackamore and she was soo grateful.Ireallly doubt that u need to waste your money on a trainer unless it is realll y bad and it doesn't work.
2006-10-02 08:10:02 · answer #9 · answered by henna<3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check his ears down deep?A Bosal worked great for my horse I broke. His head sit is so beatiful. Rode a few yr with it then went to a kind hackamore.check your chin strap. If too tight they will throw thier heads. an old Indian treack is to pop a cold sack of water over his head when he throws it high. the horse thinks he did it and he is bleeding. when I was young ,an Indian friend did that to my horse and she almost fell from fear and never tossed her head again.
2006-10-02 02:36:20 · answer #10 · answered by Dancingsun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋