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Head-Set - Proper or Not?

4K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  kickshaw 
#1 ·
My seven year-old walker gelding naturally holds his head out and relatively low, like a western pleasure horse. My trainer told me to put a tie-down on him to get him to flex and collect more (he's very clumsy) and to hold his head like a Walker "should", and for some reason I don't remember I took it off a few years ago. Some days ago I put it back on him and he was very unhappy and he didn't rack for very long without slowing down, but looked and felt fine (he also has a choppy gait). Is his unhappiness just due to the change,and maybe because he doesn't have the muscle to hold it that way yet, or should I just let him hold it how he pleases?
 
#2 ·
I let my horse hold his head as he pleases....how the horse holds it's head can tell you alot. A head raised up high can mean pain, fright, or something is just bothering him. A lowered down head means that he's calm and nothing is bothering him.
I guess it's really on personal choise on how you like your horse's head and neck at. I personally like them down low like a WP horse....but I know people who like the horse's head up extremely high also
 
#3 ·
Well, your trainer's version of correct might not be as correct as you think. I would say to go with what YOU feel is comfortable for your horse. If your trainer thinks that he should be flexing more, or change his head carriage, why not work on specific riding exercises instead of using tack and forcing him there?
This is not meant to put your trainer down(as I don't know, nor am I in a position to judge) but trying to bring up a different light to the situation:)
 
#4 ·
I'm not sure what type of horse your trainer specializes in and I don't want to argue with a trainer, but I own a walker, he's not a show horse, he's a trail horse, but he and all the other walkers I have ever known, carry their heads high, Like, in your lap high. There noses are pointed towards the ground but they have a very regal and proud way of going. I'm not sure your walker is comfortable w/ his head down low, which is probably why he's clumsy.... ? But that's just my opinion.....
 
#7 ·
I'm not sure what type of horse your trainer specializes in and I don't want to argue with a trainer, but I own a walker, he's not a show horse, he's a trail horse, but he and all the other walkers I have ever known, carry their heads high, Like, in your lap high. There noses are pointed towards the ground but they have a very regal and proud way of going. I'm not sure your walker is comfortable w/ his head down low, which is probably why he's clumsy.... ? But that's just my opinion.....
my thoughts exactly! :)
 
#5 ·
in the walk my mare drops her head so low i cant even see it lol im sure her nose drags on the ground. while we are just warming up i let her do this and i like it because she is sooo relaxed. once i want her to pick her up and hold a proper head set i apply a little pressure straight up on the reins and drive her forward so she comes up into the bit.

i dont have time to write much right now but i will get hubby to get some pics/video of me riding her today and ill explain with that what i do to get her head up and what might help you as with your guy as well :)
 
#6 ·
This is usually the natural head set, My gelding had a hard time setting his head and then we went out and bought a Brenda imus gaited bit and now he tucks his head atoumatically and I just have to steer and keep him going.


Horse Halter Horse supplies Rein Bridle
 
#8 ·
If you're not showing, then you don't need to worry about head set. If he gaits better without the tie down, then that's all you need to know. Let him carry his head wherever he wants it (as long as it's safe).

For the clumsy aspect, I would have a new farrier look at him. MANY farrier keep gaited horses' feet too long with too high of heels. If you get those feet short with low heels, you'll be able to find his NATURAL gait.

I would also seek the help of a reputable gaited trainer to help you if you still have problems.
 
#10 ·
It isn't his feet. He was born three months premature and his conformation is faulty, and he spent the first five years of his life in a paddock so small he could barely get in a good rack. So more or less, he didn't know how to walk before he came here.


Okay, let me rephrase this a little. His clumsiness scares me and so I rarely canter him, because of his past crashes (yes, they can be phrased as nothing other than "crashes"). He wants to of course, and when his head is tucked, he reaches a bit farther, thus lessening the stumbling. However, this displeases him. But, not cantering probably displeases him further.

Perhaps picture or video are in order...
 
#12 ·
if he's gaited the canter may just throw him off balance... Don't get me wrong, some gaited horses do canter, but it may not be his thing...
 
#13 ·
Sam naturally holds his head high - he's got a bit of an upside-down neck, with all the muscle on the bottom, and if he's exited, it's in my lap!! Sometimes, though, if he's worried about something on the ground in front of him, he arches his neck an his ears are two inches apart!!

I ride him English, with a martingale, and he's getting better - today we worked on giving to the bit, which he did very well with. I'm just working on Sam's headset so I can have a horse worthy of a home video taping: he's just a pleasure horse, so it's no biggie.

If you want his head up, I'm not sure quite how you do that - I'm better at going the opposite direction!

Good luck!
 
#15 ·
agreed - some gaited horses are not meant to canter (and they do not canter well on their own)

have you worked him on a lunge line to let him "feel" the canter/ practice it without you in the saddle?

some gaited horses need help with their balance - - I know many gaited saddlebreds whose heads get turned towards the rail (weird, I know) to help them keep their balance while cantering...
 
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