How do i get the hunter "Head set"? Please read for further explanation!

Yes he's very lazy!! Haha! And we havent made it that far in our "dressage" work yet becasue we are still correcting prior problems in him

He needs to stride out more. Work on your figure 8s using the whole arena, and use less reins. Bend him through the short side of the arena, just pushing him off the inside. Then when you come through the center of the arena, drop reins and push him into an impulsive, extended trot. Gently squeeze the reins and encourage him to trot into the bit, long and low.

Thanks! Ill try it.

I would much rather have a horse that goes like the horse in your show video, than one that goes in that champion HUS way. That (HUS champion) head down, slogging sort of way of going is not practical, in the least. The horse has hardly any impulsion and if his head is too low, and behind the vertical, he cannot see very far in front of him. How practical is that? Especially if you were to really "hunt" him. He'd fall on his face over the first bump in the ground.

Your horse is a very nice animal; well built and with a very nice and naturally relaxed way of going. Beyond him sometimes being overly relaxed (read: lazy) , I think he moves in a wonderful way and I would not be fussing with his head and yanking him back. If his forward is already on the slow side, yanking his head back every time he puts a bit of energy into his back will only KILL his forward.

Look into riding straigth hunter instead of HUS. It is perhaps more suited to your lovely horse.

I do agree but the thing is id like for him to be versitle and able to go either way. I do want to start showing Quarter Horse as well as my hunter shows which is why I started this thread mostly. Thank you very much! He is very lazy, but hey its one of his only flaws he's a great guy.

I do NOT condone this, this will give you a false headset and no real driving from behind to bring the back up and into frame.

This horse needs to be pushed out. He needs more impulsion to really reach under himself with his hocks and stretch into the bridle before you start to think about collecting him at slower speeds. Remember that it takes a lot of strength to maintain true collection at the slower jog and lope.

Any horse can break at the poll--that's not the point of correct riding. Correct riding is from back to front, pushing the horse up into your hands so he uses himself better.

Also keep in mind that the type of hunters you're aiming for us AQHA hunters, I assume, as you posted a video of AQHA HUS. It is a world of a difference from USEF hunters.

I'm with TinyLiny. I would hate to ride a horse like the one in the show video but I'd love your one
Where do they get off calling this 'hunt seat' anyway?
Sorry but I'm a Brit and if you tried to ride like that out on an english hunting field you would be soon upside down in the mud!!!
A true hunting horse (UK style) has to show impulsion not be lolloping along looking like it has no energy and have its head looking where its going, quarters underneath it for good jumping ability
All UK show horse style is based around low level dressage outline and contact
Apologies - I guess I've offended people again
I will go and do the ironing

Could you use the same method as teaching a WP horse to lower the head as you could for hunters?
I like to work my horse in a training fork and after he has advanced with flexing and giving to pressure I started holding both my hands straight out & up over the neck and hold pressure. Until my gelding figured out to drop his head down.
I've worked with that method a lot and it has helped us plenty. Its just repetitiousness and working with your arms straight out with pressure on the reins will beat you up but also helps gain your arm muscles!!

Now my problem LOL Because this is the same issues I' am having more so to HOLD the frame...... Is there where the Bumb comes into play? Or do I keep working the same game? I don't want to sour and I don't want to loose it either
My goofy ball like's to toss his head side to side or up and flip my reins because he's a doink!

I asked this question in another thread but didn't really get a clear answer. What exactly is needed for hunters or quarter horse hunters? My horse is being trained for western dressage and my trainer made the remark that Dancer doesn't have the stuff or personality for hunters. She didn't quite explain.

Quarter Horse Hunters reminds me of western pleasure horses decked out in english.

But this Western Dressage you speak of.. now that sounds interesting!