How do I get that QH look????

[Groovn]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here can help me! I understand that this is mainly an engish board, but I figured hey it would not hurt asking!

You know all those really pretty Quater Horses who even when loping, hang there head low? Well I was just wondering how you might go about training horse that?

I have a 10 yr old TB who has all his life been ridden english (eventing, hunter, and even raced as a youngster)

I will try to get some pictures of theses horses, if you don't really understand what I'm talking about!

Thanx

[Allie]

A great deal of that is just conformation - the horses are built with a lower set head and neck. As long as your goes well on the bit don't worry too much about headset as his TB conformation naturally predisposes him to not carryibg hid head as low as a QH.

Allie

[Groovn]

Thanx Allie!
I thought it may have to do with confirmation. It just looks sooo nice to me! Ahh well my guy goes nicely on the bit anyways!

Thanx agian!

[Outrider]

Allie is right, and by the way, I'm a western rider on this board! The QH tends to have a lower headset which is made even lower by the use of a tie down in training, as well as using the right kinds of bits in training to help set the ehad. AS Allie said, a TB's headset is naturally much higher based on his confirmation. I am not sure that you could get a TB to have a head set that low, and I am not sure it would look as good on him as it does on a QH. Happy Trails!

[HunterGirl]

Groovn, Outrider is right, try a tie down. You can get a TB to have close to that kind of head set but it does depend on confirmation.
Its easier for a QH because they are built on a downward slope, their croup being the highest and then down towards their head.
Look at your horse from the side. Does he/she naturally carry his/her head high(when relaxed)?? If so then you may never get that wither to poll line. However if you show your horse a TB shouldnt have that kind of head set.
While a judge is usually looking for the "long and low" type movement in the hunter ring they dont want nose on the ground low.
As long as your horses head isent sky high and they're on the bit be happy and dont try to force things that arent natural.
Do try the tie down though. I've trained a couple of TB's and thats what i use, it works well.
Just a warning though, if your horse has never had his head tied down put them on the lunge first, some have a tendincy to freak right out when there movement is restricted, start loose then gradually move to the desired length.
Boy I talk a lot, hope this is some help.
Keep riding:)

[fionahogg]

Whats a tie-down?

[HunterGirl]

A tie down is an adjustable strap that is attatched to the girth at one end and either a halter(over the bridle)or right to the noseband at the other. I'd start with the halter if you dont know how your horse is going to react.

[Allie]

please please don't use a tie down to force your horse into a lower headset! IF you want the QH look that badly you need to get a QH that is built for it instead of forcing the headset on a higher headed horse. Lowering a horse's headset is not the intended purpose of a tie-down - they are intended to keep the horse from raising it's head above a natural level. A tie down is supposed to be adjusted so there are a few inches of slack in it when the horse has it's head in a normal position. If you adjust it tight enough to actually change the position of the head you will unbalance the horse. Working a horse in a too-tight tie down is basically equivalent to you running a mile with your arms strapped to your sides because someone thought it looked better that way. Not only is it unnatural it is also comfortable. HunterGirl this is why your horses "freak out" when you start them in a tie down.

Allie

[rainy]

don't ever use a tie down for that purpose! things like side reins and grazing reins and tie downs in general are NOT used to HOLD the horse's head in place. that can be damaging and make the horse angry and frustrated and even head shy. i understand how you like that look but TBs arent built for that, so you're going to have a lot of trouble getting it. i wouldn't try. however, getting your horse on the bit and in a frame will get the horse's head down, but in a different and more healthy way.

[Graymalkin]

I agree it would be a bad idea to try to force a horse's head down by this tie-down affair. I've seen too many horses freak out at the restriction. And anyway, is it really fair to expect a TB to move like a QH? If you don't like the way he moves, school him to move correctly on the bit, live with it or sell him and get a 'long and low' QH.
Am I the only person that thinks that 'look' is a bit extreme anyway?! I've seen it on vids/pics and the horses just look really on the forehand!

[Allie]

I don't personally like the look either. You see it most often in western plesure (not all western classes require a headset like that) and western pleasure in general seems a little stupid to me. The whole goal is to get the horse moving as slowly as possible - in some cases a good working trot is just as fast as a western plesaure canter (lope) is. Why not just let the horse holds it head wherever is comfortable and judge their way of going instead of holding them against this unnatural ideal?

Allie

[Dizzy]

Working on the lunge is hard for your horse, they don't naturally go round and round in circles when they are out in field. I'm not surprized they object, it must be pretty uncomfortable to be asked to lunge with your head restricted.

I always understood a horse works long and low when it has learned to work from behind and gradually lengthened the muscles across its back, which can only be done slowly or will cause pain and stiffness.

Surely any horse given the correct work gets to the point where it wants to stretch down without any artificial aids.

Lesley

[HunterGirl]

To every one, Im very sorry if you miss under stood me. I dont force their heads down or tie them shorter then they need to be. If they bring their head up too high they are going to feel the resistence and object.
I do not hurt horses in any way, nor do I endorce practices that hurt or harm them in anyway.
Allie, I dont like the nose on the ground QH look either, I think it looks silly and very unnatural. Some judges wont pin a horse if they're poll is lower then their withers, and I commend them on that.
I dont just use a tie down, and I dont always use one. Proper schooling is the best way, and time.
Again I'm very sorry to everyone that has read my posts, please dont think bad of me:(

[Sharon H]

Would I be correct in thinking that a tie down is basically the same as an english standing martingale?

[Allie]

Sharon - yes it is basically the same thing

HunterGirl - seems I did misunderstand you a bit...sorry about that..

Allie

[Outrider]

The reason a tie down is primarily used is for horses that throw their heads around or up high when you ride them. Allie is correct in saying there should be some slack in them in order for the horse to meet resistance and then get rewarded with "give" when they bring their head back to where it should be. I suggested using the tie down to lower a headset, because that is what the poster originally asked. Many Western Pleasure riders use it for just that reason. I don't particularly care for an egg rolling headset either, hence, I don't show western pleasure or anything else for that matter. Just not into showing. But she asked how to get a lower headset. A tie down can be used to get it. Is that the best thing to do for the horse? Perhaps not in my opinion, but it is an accepted practice. Happy Trails!

[fionahogg]

No offence but why do you want 'that quarter horse look'? If its not natural to your TB then he won't look half as good as a real quarter horse!

Fiona

[floppy]

I agree your TB would look strange with a low head carriage liek a quarter horse.
and with the tie down i understand what huntergirl is talking about because at the training establishment where i work use tie downs or side reins for helping to encourage the horses with high head carriage to lower its head. But they are not used all the time just every so often so the hors eunderstands. A young horse came in recently to be re-trained because the owner only ever used either a tie down or side reins when riding the horse so the horse wasnt even given the chance to learn to lower its high head carriage on it own.