How much do you work on headset?

1RedHorse · 05-25-2012, 01:29 PM

I work on it to an extent....helps build topline.
That way when my horses rate the round up and push out of the turn more efficiently.

beau159 · 05-25-2012, 11:39 PM

I like to have control of my horse's head. I don't expect them to prace around with a western pleasure headseat, but I do want them to give to the bit and drop their head, round their back, and collect up when I ask. Whether that's when I am out trail riding, or doing slow work on the pattern. Obviously, at speed in competition, I am not thinking about where their head is. I'm thinking about the run.

DrumRunner · 05-26-2012, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarrelRacingLvr

To be honest I don't care where their head is....as long as it isn't busting my nose or interfering with their performance I don't try and fix something that isn't broke.

I have horses that they run with their heads higher, snake their noses out and around the barrel, run low, and average headset. It is just their style, same with just riding...

The ONLY thing I want from them that has to do with their head is properly give and keep that nose tipped to the inside on a loose rein and not pulling/fighting me with their head. I don't want to make a horse carry their head somewhere where it isn't natural for them. They carry their head where they do because of the individuals conformation.

This exactly.. I don't care if it's not the prettiest headset, if it's what works for my horse then they can carry it however they want to..

BarrelRacingLvr · 05-26-2012, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrumRunner

This exactly.. I don't care if it's not the prettiest headset, if it's what works for my horse then they can carry it however they want to..

I know people who CONSTANTLY keep their horses in a collected position when working barrels.....when they run where are their heads? In the clouds with their noses sticking out. The horses have a chance to be free and they put their head in the wrong place. I have actually seen many people who have this issue and they wonder why.

DrumRunner · 05-26-2012, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarrelRacingLvr

I know people who CONSTANTLY keep their horses in a collected position when working barrels.....when they run where are their heads? In the clouds with their noses sticking out. The horses have a chance to be free and they put their head in the wrong place. I have actually seen many people who have this issue and they wonder why.

I know.. It drives me crazy, they aren't western pleasure horses and their nose shouldn't be in between their knees lol.. That's why their horses almost knock their face in when they run the pattern..

1RedHorse · 05-26-2012, 11:23 AM

Alot of people confuse collection and breaking at the poll.

A horse can be uncollected with a "pretty headset" (broke at the poll)

A collected horse starts from the backend.

That's why I say I only work on headset to an extent....I focus more on how my horses are using themselves.

One of my gelding likes to parade around like a giraffe so yea....I work on him Lol

DrumRunner · 05-26-2012, 02:13 PM

Lol I get that and I do work on softening at the poll and flexing for head set, but I don't seesaw the reins like a ton of people and constantly ask for their head to lower.. After I get them to flex a little and break at the poll I stop..

SorrelHorse · 05-26-2012, 02:20 PM

Selena's cue for "round up" is me squeezing her with my legs. Sometimes, when she's feeling frisky and disobedient I have to reinforce with my hand and do a lot of bump-squeeze-bump, but then she gets to go back to a loose rein. I really only keep her rounded up a lot when I feel she is being explosive or if I am at a show (Not a barrel race) that I want her to have the pretty, collected, rounded, head-down style.

jumanji321 · 05-26-2012, 11:53 PM

I always work on rounding because my horse does more than barrels. We also show in english pleasure and hunters/jumpers so she needs to be able to round up and look "pretty"

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