What tack for head too high racehorse

11 replies

annieapple7 · 27/09/2011 14:35

Hi everyone
I took my former racehorse on the Badminton Ride on Sunday and it was fantastic. He was fab, but he did throw his head up a lot so I could see his nose between his ears! He is also very strong to stop. He currently wears a running martingale, a french link snaffle (loose ring) and a cavesson noseband. I had to put the martingale on his noseband like a standing martingale to have some control. He obviously needs schooling (he refuses to drop his head yet and has no top line at all) but there is another fun ride I would like to do in 2 weeks time and I will need a bit more control. He opens his mouth so I really need a flash noseband, but does anyone have other suggestions? I don't want to strap him down too strongly but I also want to be able to stop!

OP posts:

dappleton · 27/09/2011 17:05

hi annie, ruling out all the obvious problems such as back and tooth pain - and especially the fitting of the saddle I would agree that schooling is the only real answer. However I have seen, and ridden, similar horses in Markert Harboroughs with good results. It could be worth a try but bear in mind he's going to get neck and back problems if his top line is not improved so this shouldn't be anything other than a emergency support while the schooling is taking effect.
Hope yoy enjoy your fun ride

Original poster

annieapple7 · 27/09/2011 22:06

Thanks Dappleton. I was thinking of the Market Harborough. I noticed using the emergency standing martingale did encourage him to drop his nose and flex his neck. Have you used the Pessoa training aid ?

OP posts:

Original poster

annieapple7 · 27/09/2011 22:08

I mean to add the saddle has been fitted and his teeth checked. He just doesn't understand my attempts to ask him to come round at all, which is understandable, but I am a bit stuck.

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brighthair · 27/09/2011 23:57

For schooling there is a way with lunge lines - from bit, through inside of front legs and tie up on top of back. For lunging only
Used by several top riders and a lot of people seem to have success with this as it encourages them round but not to come back but to reach forward and down
Am in phone at the moment but will try and post link when I get in
Otherwise maybe something like a hangin cheek snaffle which gives poll pressure - but try it before as some horses object. Otherwise just go, have fun and start schooling after!!

seeker · 28/09/2011 00:01

Controversial I know, but dd's little mare puts her head down much better in a bitless bridle. Worth a try?

brighthair · 28/09/2011 01:06

www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=429726

this should work

Original poster

annieapple7 · 28/09/2011 12:45

Thanks Brighthair. I haven't done any lungeing at all, would rather work under saddle if possible. Is lungeing essential do you think?

OP posts:

brighthair · 28/09/2011 13:37

Not essential but I think it's easier for them to soften and learn to bring their back up and develop the muscles without the weight of a rider

Shutupanddrive · 02/10/2011 08:41

I would suggest standing martingale or Market harborough. Is he strong when he puts his head up, or just flinging it about?

Shutupanddrive · 02/10/2011 08:43

Also agree with seeker that a bitless bridle may be worth a try. I have seen some amazing results on horses that are funny with their heads with these.

ToxicMoxie · 03/10/2011 00:18

I had a racehorse, and I found cavaletti helped him the most. Either lunging or riding, and at the walk as well as trot. He really had to lift his back, engage his hind and stretched down as well. As far as the head tossing, I just used a running martingale, but actually slapped him on the head once when he was tossing and threatening to rear at the walk. You sound like your horse has more training than mine did when I had to do that.

I also rode in a D ring french link snaffle.

Flip