Hello, first time poster. I am wondering if anyone might have a solution or insight for a head tossing problem that I am having with my 21 year old arabian gelding.
I purchased this gelding a year ago after leasing him for six months. He was used by the previous owner for trail riding and some local shows. We had a vet check done at the time of the purchase and then had the vet out again this month for shots and a check up and his teeth are fine and he appears to be in great condition.
Whenever my gelding is asked to do any kind of 'work' (which consists of asking for a trot or canter) while riding that he does not want to do, his reaction is to toss his head. He will toss it up, down or side to side. It seems to be done out of defiance or a nervous energy and not out of pain, as he is fine on the lunge line and under saddle while walking or jogging. I try to not get distracted by the behavior and ignore it like a trainer had advised me to do, but it hasn't seemed to get rid of his behavior and can be very challenging to ride with. The head tossing will often times last the duration of the exercise.
I was told by his previous owners who had owned him for about 15 years that this was just one of his quirks and their solution was to ride him in a german martingale. I do not ride him in the martingale because it did not seem to be a solution. I come from a western pleasure background and ride him in a copper quarter moon snaffle.
I should mention that this is the first horse that I have owned. I previously had leased for a number of years and taken lessons.
Does anyone have experience with a horse who exhibits similar behavior? What kinds of solutions did you come up with? Thanks in advance!
I purchased this gelding a year ago after leasing him for six months. He was used by the previous owner for trail riding and some local shows. We had a vet check done at the time of the purchase and then had the vet out again this month for shots and a check up and his teeth are fine and he appears to be in great condition.
Whenever my gelding is asked to do any kind of 'work' (which consists of asking for a trot or canter) while riding that he does not want to do, his reaction is to toss his head. He will toss it up, down or side to side. It seems to be done out of defiance or a nervous energy and not out of pain, as he is fine on the lunge line and under saddle while walking or jogging. I try to not get distracted by the behavior and ignore it like a trainer had advised me to do, but it hasn't seemed to get rid of his behavior and can be very challenging to ride with. The head tossing will often times last the duration of the exercise.
I was told by his previous owners who had owned him for about 15 years that this was just one of his quirks and their solution was to ride him in a german martingale. I do not ride him in the martingale because it did not seem to be a solution. I come from a western pleasure background and ride him in a copper quarter moon snaffle.
I should mention that this is the first horse that I have owned. I previously had leased for a number of years and taken lessons.
Does anyone have experience with a horse who exhibits similar behavior? What kinds of solutions did you come up with? Thanks in advance!