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Head held high :S

1K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  BaileyJo 
#1 ·
Rode Buzz today for the first time this week, he was alright in a loose rein and everything, trotted him a loose rein both sides then collected up my reins and walked then asked for trot, which was okay did that for a bit on both sides then asked for canter.
He did something he has never done before, he held his head like vertical and his neck like straight up...

I didn't relize what he was doing at first as hes never done this but boy did his canter feel werid, so naturally i got off to see if he was sore, nope, not limping, no sore back so got back on and he did it at a trot...

I rode him around till eventually he didn't do it, but I'm just curious as to what people think.

Ask questions if I didn't properly explain lol I tend to be bad at explaining stuff
 
#4 ·
That's really not a solution, that's a band-aid. It doesn't fix the problem and as soon as you take off the martingale, the head will go right back up :wink:.

When was the last time his teeth were done? I bought my horse Charlie in April and his owner had said his teeth had been done. However, lately when I've been riding him, he's been sticking his head straight in the air and evading the bit. When the equine dentist came out, he said Charlie's back teeth looked like they hadn't been done in a few years and the points were sticking into the top of his mouth. Ever since his teeth have been floated (correctly), he's been a dream to ride.

If that's not the issue, then the problem is you :D. So often, we blame our horses for their way of going, when really how our horse goes is a reflection of our riding. By no means am I calling you a bad rider, but if it's not pain, then take a look at what you are doing. Were your hands braced or not following his motion? Were your seatbones sticking him in the back? Were you moving around too much in the saddle and his balance was off?

I would also revisit back pain and have your saddle evaluated for fit. Even though he may not have shown signs of back pain once the saddle was off that one time doesn't mean it's definitely not a fitting issue.
 
#5 ·
After the teeth are done, you need exercises to fix the "upside down" neck. It's not a matter of collecting up the reins. He needs to learn to round his back and give at the poll & work off his hind end. You need to use your whole body to get him to do that, only about 20% is bit pressure.
 
#6 ·
I do need his teeth done, have to book that.

As I said this is the first time he has ever done it, very unusual.
His back was fine I did run my fingers down his back and pressed hard no pain, but even still I want to get the chiro out still, alwasy good :)

It was just werid because I mean he has tossed his head before but never held it in that postion, it was like his head was, instead of his head going straight up down it went like in line with the ground but up higer lol.

He did eventually stop after I cantered him a bit, I also wonder if it was just because he was go ey, as that was the first time I had properly ridden ridden him in a few weeks and hes on oats now...
 
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