Leading On From Last "ON THE BIT" Post. . .

[Gemmahorselover]

Hey. I had her back, teeth and tack checked and everything is good. I changed my bit to an ordinary sweet mouth snaffle. I have been only walking with her for a week straight for half an hour each time and slowly she is dropping the head. But recently she drops her head and then follows with trying to put her head to the grouns as if she wants to stretch. She does this ALL THE TIME. I have enough contact to tell her where she is going but not enough so I will carry her fore-weight. I want her to learn to carry herself. She is now always trying to put her head down to the ground, so when I take up contact with the reins but not pulling on her she puts her head up and wont put it back down unless I loosen contact. This is kind of getting a little bit frustrating. How can I stop her from continuously wanting to put her head down all the time but still not put her head up?? Yes this sounds weird. Sorry its a bit long.
Really would appreciate the replies. Thank you:o:p;):rolleyes:

[Jenny2502]

my horse used to do this my instructor said he was taking the p. so she told me to give a half halt gesture but leg on at the same time, thus making him take up the contact but not alter the speed. also lightly see-sawing the reins helps them raise their head onto the bit, this also helps him work long and low when im building up his back. he used to really lean on the bit, hi pelham was useless, coz he'd just lean ono it and tank.
hope this helps.

[Gemmahorselover]

my horse used to do this my instructor said he was taking the p. so she told me to give a half halt gesture but leg on at the same time, thus making him take up the contact but not alter the speed. also lightly see-sawing the reins helps them raise their head onto the bit, this also helps him work long and low when im building up his back. he used to really lean on the bit, hi pelham was useless, coz he'd just lean ono it and tank.
hope this helps.

Thanks Jenny. I will keep this in mind when she next tries it one with me:p

[colettybetty]

Read from your other post that she's 5 yrs, so still very young. Congrats on getting the bitting issue sorted, she sounds much happier in her new bit. What she's doing in lowering her head isn't a bad thing, given her age. She is stretching and building up muscle in her back, while learning to balance herself with a rider in board. When her head is low she is relaxed as opposed to tense with her back hollow and star gazing. Don't worry too much about where her head is at the moment, focus on getting her to move forwards and lifting her back underneath. Play about with changes of direction and transitions when you're schooling. Alter your reins as neccesary, giving her the freedom to find her balance without pulling her head in, which could result in tension in her neck and shoulders. Be patient, but she will learn to carry herself but she needs to work through her back to get there.