I am having trouble getting my horses head down at the lope how. How can I get it down?

Answer 1

If your horse is young its rear end may not yet be strong enough for the balancing required to lower it's head.

If your horse is older then you need to go back to basic training and re-enforce giving to the bit. Once he understands the concept of giving to the bit you will only need to apply slight pressure to the bit to get him to lower his head. Be sure to use either a "D" ring or "Full Cheek" snaffle for this.

Lastly don't rely on tie downs or draw reins. They are the lazy mans quick fix that lasts only as long as they are in use, and they don't teach the animal anything.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Depends on if you want it the easy (but unnatural way) or the hard but most rewarding way. First of all, how old is your horse? If they are 2-4, they may not have enough balance to keep their head in a low frame. Some horses are very unbalanced until their 5th yr or so. The unnatural way- draw reins... I use these occasionally, and they work great, but if they are used too often, you can definately tell it in a horse. A way to replicate that is a long rope that goes through the bit and tie on to the girth below, so it is a v on each side- you would look like you are riding with two sets of reins. Another way, possibly to incorporate with that is by getting him to relax and drop his head naturally.
There is a thing called a half halt in english that I know a couple AQHA west. pleas. exhibitors use. (I ride dressage, but have trained dressage basics to western horses as well). Try this first just on the ground, without moving. slowly but firmly pull back on the outside rein, let go slowly, then the inside, a very slow tug, not a yank. As soon as his head goes down a bit, release the pressure. If he is responsive to the bit, he should put his head down. It may take a couple times for him to get it, but he should pick it up pretty quick.
Then do the same thing at a walk, then a jog. He should be able to put his head down (even if it is lower than the normal headset- it is ok- we are training) and he should be dropping it with just a little tug of the outside rein. The WP shower's that I know just jiggle the outside rein with their pinky and it works without being something obvious the judges see. After he has mastered it at all the gaits, he should have no problem responding to it at a lope. If he already is pretty responsive to the bit- chews on it and doesn't try to yank the reins out of your hand with any pressure, it should only take a couple rides for him to figure it out. If he is one that hates a bit, you may not have any other choice than draw reins, if you do not want to work on the whole bit issue, which could take a couple months to a year.
The draw reins are a helpful aid as an extra reinforcer, but IMHO, it is better to have a responsive horse and learn it, rather than a quick fix.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not sure trying to explain this by email can be a great benefit and would like to make a suggestion

I would suggest finding a website for the breed or style of riding you are trying to work your horse for and find a training video there.

Years ago I was a very successful Saddle Seat rider and took over the training on a beautiful Arabian Western Horse. I wanted to win with this horse and knew without putting him in a trainers hands I'd have to learn how to do this.

I found out which trainers put out videos to cover the Arabian Western Horse from beginning to end. I was fortunate enough to be able to follow the trainers around the shows and watch them to discern if their style would go along with what was good for me. Then I decided on the most successful trainer that I respected and bought his series.

Within a couple months my horse and I become one of the top amatuer teams in our Region for years along with being a top contender in the open ring against the top trainers in the country.

The benefit with the video/dvd is that you can watch it over and over again to get down to the real specifics of hands, body position, impulsion, timing etc. You can take what you need for the moment and work with it until you're ready to go to the next step. I think it's impossible to provide that to you through this venue.

Basic to getting the head down at the lope is the horse needs to be flexible, have enough impulsion from the rear to balance itself and there has to be the right give & take with your hands so they understand when they drop their head they have done the right thing. Practice with circles, side passes, going down a straight away and turning them into the rail and then taking off at the lope again. There are lots of things you are able to do to help our horse get in the right position. Knowing when, how & why is what you should try to learn.

Well, I hope this helps and you get everything out of your horse you desire. Have fun

Answer 4

If your horse is young, he may still be growing and will need to get balanced out before you even think about this. With an older horse, it may be difficult for him to lower his head and keep it there if he naturally holds his head high. You will have to work on building muscles in his neck.

Don't force it on him. Tie downs will just make him sore and unhappy. Horses naturally lower their head when they are relaxed. Make sure you are relaxed, and you are in a calm environment with your horse. REALLY concentrate on being relaxed...stretch, breathe. You may even notice a difference already if you are usually a bit tense.

Here is how you get him to lower his head on command: Start in an arena or round pen, standing. If he has his head up high, pick up one rein gently and hold it. Do not jerk, just hold it so that he feels a little pressure on the bit. Your horse will then try to find a way to escape the pressure. He may try walking forward, raising his head higher, backing up, etc...As soon as he lowers his head just a tiny tiny bit, drop your reins. Reward him. Let him stand and take it all in. Pick up the rein again and hold it, and most likely he will try a few things to escape the pressure again. As soon as he lowers his head the tiniest bit, release all pressure.

Repeat this until he realizes that when he lowers his head, the pressure goes away. Usually this is a good stopping spot. Your horse isn't going to learn to lower his head at the lope in one day. Work on the same thing the next day, or however long it takes. Once he lowers his head when you pick up the rein, practice him keeping it down. Ask him to lower his head, but if he brings it back up, pick the rein up again. Don't release pressure until he lowers it back down. If he brings his head up again when you release pressure, pick the rein up once again. Ah, isn't this fun! :)

Eventually your horse will lower his head and keep it lowered as soon as you pick up the rein. Repeat the whole process at the walk, jog, and lope. Remember, in the beginning, he'll still be building up those neck muscles, so go easy on him. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Invest in a rope chambon, or make one yourself, and do a lot of lunge work using it until the horse gets used to it, and then start riding in it.

Once the horse has finally developed the right muscles, they will more than likely hold their head in that position naturally.

The chambon was the best investment I ever made for my 6 year old Thoroughbred.

Answer 6

Do a lot of lateral flexing, then onto vertical flexing. Pretty soon you will be able to shape that horse up in any gate.

Answer 7

use the proper length of rope between the ring on the breast collar and underneath the bridle.

Answer 8

tie it loosly down maybe

Answer 9

like that one person said. tie it down

Answer 10

Uh.....why do you imagine that piece of equipment is CALLED a "TIE-DOWN"???

duh....cuz that's what you DO w/it.