western pleasure question

[missbobbie]

My mother-in-law was told that horses being shown Western Pleasure are "forced" to keep their heads low. (she likes to watch the high stepping horses with their heads held high) She is not a "horse person" she just happened to go to a show with friends. What can you tell me about the Western Pleasure training of a horse? Are they ever "forced" to keep their heads low or is that how the trained horse feels most comfortable?

[lollielala]

Western Pleasure horses are not forced to keep their heads low. One of my horses, a 7 yr old paint gelding, keeps his head low but that's only because he was trained that way. I used to ride him with a tie-down (which I didn't like to do) but now I ride him without one and he holds his head high. Even without the tie-down, he will hold his head either high or low. But all of my other horses all hold their head high. But all of my horses hold their head the way they feel comfortable. Misty, my QH mare, holds her head high with her neck arched like a dressage horse. She's so beautiful. Some horses are trained, some it's bred into them. That's the way it is with her, because when we started her, that's how she held her head. It all depends on how the horse is trained. But they are not forced to hold their head a certain way, it's the training or the breeding. But I can atleast say that none of my horses are forced to hold their head low.

[utahcutter]

Most QH horses keep their heads level with their neck when they are relaxed. If you see them walking down the pasture, relaxed, not playing, they will naturally carry their heads so their neck appears level with thier backs, and since most western riding events ask for the horse to appear as natural as possible this is where you should see their heads carried. Some go overboard and train them to drop their heads lower, which I personally don't like but it's widely accepted in Western circles. However the are never really forced, as in having their heads tied down.

[Harry Hobbes]

Are they ever "forced" to keep their heads low
Yes.

However, this is not exclusive to Western Pleasure riding. Tie-downs of one sort or another are used in many equine disciplines. Basically, the idea is to tie the horse so that it can teach itself to do something; rather than the human taking the time to teach the horse, or not knowing how to teach the horse to do that something.

Best regards,
Harry

[missbobbie]

Is there anyone on the board that shows Western Pleasure? So far there's yes and no answers to my question. I was wondering if anyone has some personal experience in the show circuit that you would like to share. Are tie-downs used in the show ring? :confused:

[Harry Hobbes]

Are tie-downs used in the show ring?
Presuming that the event is governed under USA Equestrian, the 2002 Rule Book, Article 3905. Tack, Paragraph 5 (Western Division), prohibits the use of martingales and tie-downs.

If the event does not fall under USA Equestrian jurisdiction, you'll have to check with the hosting organization for their rules.

Best regards,
Harry

[upsndowns]

now a days the western pleasure horse is being bred specificly for that class. they are bred to move slow and slow legged as well as maintain a level head set. so to answer your question, yes and no... there are horses who need to be trained to keep their head level but using various means. a running martingale, draw reins and collection and release excersises can teach the horse to reach down for the bit and let him teach himself thats where he should keep his head.
so while some western pleasure horse keep their heads level naturally, like my horse, others need to learn that is where their heads belong.
the use of equipment such as tie downs (not used in the training of western pleasure horses) or any of the above noted things are not allowed in the show pen. a tie down is allowed when showing games classes such as barrels and poles.
your grandma is just unknowledgeable about horses and thats fine. while she thinks that western horses are forced to keep their heads low, the same can be true for the high headed diciplines such as saddle seat. asking my horse to keep his head held high would be the same thing as asking a saddlebred to keep his head low. horses of diffrent breeds have diffrent head carriages.
i hope this babbling has helped you any.

[missbobbie]

Thank you everyone! The info has been very helpful!:)

[lawgirl]

I have never shown western pleasure but my best friend has for years. And actually has been on the cover of American Quarter Horse Journal. Here is a site that may help you as far as the rules.


Wendy

http://www.wildhorseandburroexpo.com/2003/show_rules.htm#WESTERN%20DIVISION%20CLASSES

[cvb]

misbobbie

I think this is a bit like the showing question in UK - are horses forced to be over-weight to show in UK ?

If you asked this you will get different answers. A lot of people and vets are against this trend as it is seen as bad for the horses health. But the reality is that as long as judges keep putting fat horses over fit but thinner horses, there will still be fat horses in the show ring.

Over in UK we don't have so many shows so we don't have the same pressure. But in USA, you find the competition pressure can bring out some extremes of styles.

I suspect this is what your mother is referring to.

My own personal experience with my Appy is that she goes with her head carriage quite low naturally. Whether she would win any ribbons in a USA show is something I will probably never know ! But I did our first ever competition this summer - a walk/jog pleasure class, and we got a 4th. Probably would have done better if I'd had time to warm up properly !