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Western Pleasure Headset?

11K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  Spastic_Dove 
#1 ·
I use draw reins kind of like These When I work my Buckskin mare. She has been taught on the ground to give to preassure on her poll, so she knows how to do that. I ride her with draw reins some of the time, and sometimes running martingales kinda like These. I've read on some articles that Draw reins shouldn't be used to help 'create a head set'. Is this true? I would like to get my mares head down into a 'western pleasure headset' for shows. I have one show left this year on October 25th That i plan on going to no matter what. lol. I can try and get a video of Dakoda working sometime soon. I try and work her daily, so she she is in shape. We only have a round pen to work in, and a flat area.. no arena... :( But we do have tons of trails if that helps. So basicly, how can I get Dakoda to put her head down into more of a natrual headset with out the draw reins? I would like to get her off them eventually.. and because I can't use them in shows.
Thanks!! And Sorry it is so long!!
 
#2 ·
I would say that if you need draw reins you're putting her head in an unnatural position which is fine just don't think that it's natural for her. I'm not a big fan of the western pleasure head set. I think training for western pleasure makes a lot of horses unsound and unusable for the majority of people. A better way to get your horses head down is to use pressure and release. Put a little pressure on the reins and hold it untill her head goes down then release. Repeat a few times then ask for it to go lower before you release. This won't happen before your next show but you won't have to wean yourself off the draw reins and martigales either. If you decide to use the draw reins or martigales thats fine as long as you know how to use them right. Sounds like you probably do.
 
#3 ·
Don't mess with your horses head.

How long has she been in training? How old is she?

I don't mind draw reins every once in awhile when used correctly, but don't force her into a headset that is not natural for her. Horses bred for WP will naturally hold their heads about level. My speed/cow bred horses holds his head above level. You need to ride the horse from behind. Get him using his haunches, lifting his back, etc. Eventually the horse will seek out contact on his own without having you be handsy with her.

If you just want a headset and not a well balanced horse, mess with his mouth, otherwise, you need to ask the horse to start using himself.
 
#4 ·
don't mess with your horses head.

How long has she been in training? How old is she?

I don't mind draw reins every once in awhile when used correctly, but don't force her into a headset that is not natural for her. Horses bred for wp will naturally hold their heads about level. My speed/cow bred horses holds his head above level. You need to ride the horse from behind. Get him using his haunches, lifting his back, etc. Eventually the horse will seek out contact on his own without having you be handsy with her.

If you just want a headset and not a well balanced horse, mess with his mouth, otherwise, you need to ask the horse to start using himself.
well said!!!!
 
#5 ·
I totally agree^^^^ the typical wp headset is just terrible, i mean imagine if you had to carry a heavy backpack around all day ane than also had to walk with your neck jutted out at a funny angle cause someone thinks it looks nice, i think it looks sick! a nice level headset and rounded frame are what you should be looking for , and those come rather easily with goodconditioning and lots of sound training. pressure and release and lots of topline work will get you a good headset
I couldnt find any really good headsets on google(a very sad commentary on its own) but the first pic is more what you are looking for almost level. the second horse just looks browbeaten and lethargic... I hate seeing that headset!!
 

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