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Post by Margo + Sara on Sept 7, 2009 3:20:17 GMT 1
 I have just got my horse (Leon) but i am having trouble getting him to tuck his head in, he likes to stick it up in the air, does anyone know any training tips to help me get him out of this? Also he sticks his tounge out, i have been told he needs a thinner bit, but the woman we got him of said i thinner bit would be to harsh for his mouth (i have him in a jointed rubber snaffel) so i dont know what to do. Any other tips welcome 
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Post by lisah on Sept 7, 2009 11:16:41 GMT 1
Hi there Margo and Sara Leon is doing great and he is only just out of racing so is doing brilliant to already be going to shows and stuff. It will be some time until his physique and muscles change from racehorse to riding horse and it is very important that you take it slow with him and are very patient for the desired results. Taking your time now will pay off a million times over next year :-) ;D  1. Bringing his head down - what we really want here is for Leon to relax enough that he works on the bit - that will come with schooling and time. Please do not be tempted to stick gadgets on him to force the head carriage, all that will do is upset him and possibly make him start to rear which is how so many ex racehorses react to these things, Leon has spent all his life being taught to go in a certain way, and all his muscles are set up for this way of going at the moment. He throws his head up like that to balance himself, also probably a bit of tenseness as he is so new to his new job and not sure what to do. The best thing you can do for him is to encourage him to bring his head down and in by gentle alternate squeezing on the reins, legs wrapped onto him, and rewarding him by ''giving'' the reins when he gives you one or 2 steps with his head down. Taking that shape will be very hard for him at first as his muscles are not developed for that, it is the schooling and gentle re-training from you that will re-model his muscles, allow the ones through his back and neck to lengthen, and therefore make it easier for him to take the outline that you are looking for. So if he gives you one or 2 steps reward him as that is all he will probably be able to manage. If you think of Leon in human terms as an athlete who is changing discipline from a runner to a gymnast it may be easier to explain. Both are fit, both have the skill to do each other's sport adequately but to really excel at one or the other they need totally different exercises to develop the muscles need for whichever discipline they are in. So if they change from one sport to the other, then there is a lot of work to re-develop the muscles to the new job before they can be expected to do it fully - I hope I have explained myself well  Too many times I have been called out to help with horses that have started to rear, or refuse to go in the school or even refuse to be ridden and the common factor for them all is that they have had some kind of gadget put on to force the head carriage into an outline. These gadgets will not speed up the process until you have worked to change the muscles in the horse, so please please please do not be tempted to use these things. They can be quite painful for the horse and not what is needed this early in his re-training. A very good and gentle aid is a Harbridge - it allows the horse to carry his head normally and only engages when he tries to throw it too high, and that is the only aid that I would advise using at this stage if you want to use anything - but you still have to bear in mind that when he feels 'restricted' from carrying his head high that he might fight it and even rear. The head carriage is often the longest and hardest thing to change, but patience now will pay off later I promise. 2. Sticking his tongue out - some horses just do this and I would not worry or change his bit if he is happy in what you are using, Again, don't be tempted to put a flash on him - that's the way he is and just accept it :-) I do hope the above makes sense and comes across in the way I want it to. I have rehomed and retrained many horses over the years, and so often I see horses unfairly branded as 'bad' simply because people want instant results rather than allowing the horse time to change physically and mentally so that they can do the new things we want them to. You are already on a huge winner with Leon as his temperament seems to be fabulous, so reward that with taking time with his retraining and encouraging him to change his outline rather than forcing it. All the best, and please keep us updated with his progress. LisaH  |
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Post by bingbong on Sept 7, 2009 11:20:17 GMT 1
lots of time and patience ;D lots of hacking and hill work to build up the muscule first of all to make sure he is strong enough to carry him self in such a way then gentle schooling, lots of transitions, asking for bends ans counter bends etc getting him more supple. make sure everytime he does a good job you give him a pat and a rest - you dont want him getting stressed cos he doesnt understand and NEVER push him too far too soon. then just gentle sponging of the hands to ask him to soften his jaw and big pats and lighten your seat when he does this. it helps to have a good instructor too some horses come down naturally others it takes a long time, just take your time with him tho im sure he will come ;D im a fan of draw reins but i would NOT use these untill you have doent he fittening work and if your not experienced using them i wouldnt at all as your not ment to force their head in and you should know when to release and take the reins also to get to this stage im talking months maybe even years it might be worth getting him all checked out too his teeth done and back checked just in case good luck eta just read lisas post - that is very sound advice |
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Post by Margo + Sara on Sept 7, 2009 13:10:37 GMT 1
Thank you very much for all the advise, and dont worry i wont try and force him to do anything lol i can imagine how uncomftable it would be for him if some one was pulling his head down when he is not use to it , he is only 6 so we have years to practice so there is no rush, i am not to fussed about him tucking it right in allthough it would be nice lol i just want him to stop sticking it up in the air. But in the 4 months or so i have had him he really has come on loads, he is alot more relaxed and happier in himself he isnt as head shy and is starting to stand still for me to get on, he is starting to jump alot more carefully and think about what he is doing, rather than just running though the jump, and his transistions are alot smoother. I am so proud of him thanks again |
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Post by lisah on Sept 7, 2009 15:48:36 GMT 1
Hi again
That is great to hear, and fabulous that he is coming along so well.
I probably laboured the point about gadgets but so many ''non ex racehorse'' people advise ex racehorse owners to use all sorts of gadgets to ''sort out'' the horse LOL
The main thing for you is that he has a wonderful outlook and temparement to work with and it will all fall into place sooner rather than later I am sure.
Lisa xxxx
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mellj
Member 
Mell & Ellie 'Dominelle' At Ryedale Show 2009
Posts: 912
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Post by mellj on Sept 7, 2009 16:56:00 GMT 1
I would like to say too to check your position...you need to be sat right too for him to be able to balance himself under you too. This I have learnt with Ellie. If I'm not sat right ...she won't go right!
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Post by bingbong on Sept 7, 2009 20:21:28 GMT 1
awwhhh he sounds like he is coming on great already all these little things all add up i bet youl be on winning form in no time ;D
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Post by Margo + Sara on Sept 8, 2009 2:27:51 GMT 1
I would like to say too to check your position...you need to be sat right too for him to be able to balance himself under you too. This I have learned with Ellie. If I'm not sat right ...she won't go right! I am getting lessons to help me with this, but i have definatly noticed a change in him, especially his transitions, as i have improved abit and got use to his stide (that took a while as i was use to ridding my 14.1 so it was a big difference lol) |
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mellj
Member
Mell & Ellie 'Dominelle' At Ryedale Show 2009
Posts: 912
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Post by mellj on Sept 8, 2009 11:39:33 GMT 1
I would like to say too to check your position...you need to be sat right too for him to be able to balance himself under you too. This I have learned with Ellie. If I'm not sat right ...she won't go right! I am getting lessons to help me with this, but i have definatly noticed a change in him, especially his transitions, as i have improved abit and got use to his stide (that took a while as i was use to ridding my 14.1 so it was a big difference lol) and I had a so so day today...one minute fine...next minute i'm riding a giraffe!  |
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Eleanor
Member
The demon in disguise!
Posts: 1,283
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Post by Eleanor on Sept 8, 2009 21:46:31 GMT 1
I am getting lessons to help me with this, but i have definatly noticed a change in him, especially his transitions, as i have improved abit and got use to his stide (that took a while as i was use to ridding my 14.1 so it was a big difference lol) Try going from riding at 10.2hh shetland to a 17.2hh tb in the space of 10 mins That takes a few minutes to adjust to! And going back down the way! I did find something really interesting in the Equi-ads last month, will go see if I can find it, 2 ticks. Found it. www.jonibentley.co.uk/I read part of it in the Equi-ads and thought it made sense, don't remember what it said now though - memory like a sieve me! Good luck with him! |
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