[jrcci]

My horse is a 5 year old and I have been having problems getting him to keep his head down on the bit, and it is only with trotting. When trotting to the left, with suppling he will usually bend and keep his head down. To the right, he is constantly tossing his head up and will not go down on the bit with an even hard amount of suppling. I started him in a snaffle bit, and he would pull my hands apart at the canter. I had a segunda bit on, and he absolutely hated it. I have him in a Dr. Bristol now, which keeps me in control without throwing his head all of the time. He has great feet, and his teeth have just been floated. He just will not bend to the right and will not put his head down. Any advice?

 

[camdenqh]

what kind of reins are you using? are you using split reins?

 

[quarterhorse]

You can try using a myler bit. Myler is just the brand, this brand has a huge varitie of bits and they usually come with a book or dvd to let you know how to use each bit. These bits are made a lot more comfortably for the horse. Usually when they throw their head its for many different reasons. It could be that he doesnt like the bit, it could be he is in pain, or just wants to be noddy and so on. Have you dried using balancing reins or side reins when you lunge him. If you do try this and you have never used them before ask for help.

 

[churumbeque]

He could be stiff? He could be out of alignment and need a chiro adjustment. It could be a miriad of reasons.

 

[jrcci]

we used side reins on him... he hated those too but he listened to them. we havent tried split reins or anything like that but i will definatley look into it. thankks guys!

 

[vikki92]

What about a tydown, my mustang (Camanche) did the head tossing thing till i invested in a tydown & it worked. but every horse is differnt.

 

[churumbeque]

What about a tydown, my mustang (Camanche) did the head tossing thing till i invested in a tydown & it worked. but every horse is differnt.

I don't agree with tying there head down. I would solve the problem. KI couldn't imagine being tied and not being able to get free of what was bothering me

 

[quarterhorse]

I REALLY like the balancing side reins instead of the regular side reins because I can use them 3 different ways. I use them on my barrel horse and I use them on my hunter/jumper horse/dressage. My horse didnt like the balancing reins at first either but after fighting with himself he relized it was to much work. Now he accepts the bit and tucks in his head. Berfore investing in a tie down or a standing martingale or even a running martingale try to go through your other options first and let the tie down be the last resort.:lol:

 

[jrcci]

im going to try the side reins. ill let you know how it goes!

 

[kitten_Val]

Any advice?

Get a knowledgeable trainer. Something is wrong with him and side reins may be a quick fix (if at all) to the issue, which is NEVER a way to go.

 

[BrewCrew]

Other replies are good guesses as well, but I agree that there could be some stiffness, which is causing pain to that side. Try some flexing exercises from the ground. Once in the saddle, ask for the flex to stretch him out before working. HTH.

 

[HorseLife97]

Buy a tiedown. I Dont Like The Idea Of Tie Downs But My Horse Had The Same Problem And so I Bought A Tiedown And Put it Really Loose So She could hold her head like normal and stretch out and whatever and It Worked Great And Then A Few Months Later When She Stopped Trying Too Toss Her Head I Took It Off And She Never Did it Again

 

[jrcci]

thanks everyone!!