Putting head down in canter

[Harriet]

Hi everyone,
I was riding out on a hack last night and we had our canter as usual a bit faster than usual actaully because we were in company. Anyway we were canterin along fine when all of sudden my horse put his head right down to the ground leaving me to have to pull him up I thought he was going to buck. He used to go 'downhill' into canter in the school when we 1st started off but to be cantering along one minute and then for his head and shoulders to suddenly disapear the next - I was horrified!
Any help, advise please, do you think changing his bit would help? hes in a french link snaffle at the mo.
Harriet

[Silvia]

Remember that even when you are hacking out you have to ride your horse, not just let him run. When my horse tries to push his head down like that I sit down deep in the saddle and use a lot of leg. If he does not respond I give him a sharp nudge with my heels. Don't try to pull up his head with the reins - if you make him use his hind legs he can't keep it down anyway.
Hope this helps. Silvia

[Harriet]

Thanks Silvia,

I would love to have the opportunity to just sit on my horse and not actively ride him, oh the relaxation of it! He is a very forward going horse and very green I am wondering if the head down is an evasion tactic as I was actively riding him on - hoping for a good gallop actually but all we got was the incredible stooping head down. At out of hand canter he is very uncomfortable to sit to, being quite short backed, ok in the school though, if I hadn't had pulled his head up smartly the speed we were going I feel it could have been a disaster. Bearing in mind when your out hacking your horse isnt really engaged the same ways as when schooling and I certainly did have my leg on. Do you think there might be something in my evasion theory or do you still think even more leg?

Regards
Harriet

[Silvia]

Yes, in that case I think he might be trying to evade your aids by pulling you out of balance with his head. But I don't have a real clue what you could do about it. Maybe punish him (crop)??? Can't wait to hear what other people think!
Silvia

[Harriet]

After I posted my response I thought about it (typical), although he is forward going he does have the tendency to be naughty and in fact the last twice out on hack he's been a bit of a pain starting to nap, didnt get away with that, then this carry on with his head. We are a new team so he could be just testing the water.... Actually I was really pleased to hear you say use the crop, these days, excuse this next NON PC bit, using a crop seems to be taboo!
His behaviour on this occasion was down right dangerous for both of us.
Anyway I'll keep you posted of any reoccurance ...

Thanks again
Harriet

[DavidH]

Hi Harriet,
Couple of points.
Firstly, there is no problem with using a crop as long as it is used as a training aid - ie as the horse is doing something that is unacceptable not after he has done it. For instance using a crop to back up your leg when jumping if the horse is starting to back off is the correct use. Smacking the horse after it has refused the fence is pointless.
Secondly, when your horse puts his head down his is probably evading the bit. By putting his head in this position the bit acts on the corner of the mouth more than anywhere else which is not very sensative compared the the bars of a horses mouth. Try it for yourself! You can put a lot of pressure on the corner of your own mouth without any real discomfort, now try pressing down or up on the bars of your mouth (helps if you have a tooth missing) Ouch!!!
So next time he does it try simply raising your hands to bring the bit more in to contact with the upper bars of his mouth. He will have to raise his head to releive the pressure. One of the reasons why people who ride with their hands held too high have horses with with a high head carriage.
Good Luck

[fionahogg]

What bit do you ride him in? If the bit has a lot of poll action he may be evading this as some horses don't like this action. For example my horse when ridden in a dutch gag his head disapears somewhere between his knees and I find it v. difficult to pull him up because of this. Also does he have any back/teeth probs and does his saddle fit? He could be in some sort of pain/discomfort?? If your sure he's just messing about I would definately use the whip to give him a tap when he's naughty and send him forwards strongly with your legs while raising your hands.

[Harriet]

Hi again,
I ride him in a frecnh link snaffle, the previous owner used to use a pelham but Im loathe to use this as Ive never used this bit before and Id rather pesevere with the snaffle.
He is getting his teeth checked in 2 weeks time.
However, I took him for a hack on Saturday and in Canter we had the same head down routine, so in this order, I lifted my hands gave him a good dig and tapped him with the schooling whip and although his head was then a teeny bit high the canter was a lot better so I think/hope he was just taking the mick.
I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks for all the advise.
Harriet