Bobby needs help!

[Spirit Filly]

My new horse, Bobby, a beautiful bay Thoroughbred has no faults except one; he carries his head to low.
I've heard of side reins to help bring a horse's head up, but I'd like to find out some other methods before I go ahead.
Any ideas?

[Dizzy]

How low do you mean?

Lesley

[galadriel]

It's possible he's carrying his head too low because he's balanced such that he leans to the forehand. A lot of TB's are that way, particularly if they have fairly long backs.

If this is the case, I recommend getting with an instructor who can help you balance yourself such that he will carry himself properly.

Have fun!

[Piaffe]

I agree with galadriel. At least it means your horse is relaxed!! My TB does this, but when I ask him he does raise his head and work nicely.

It is all in the schooling (also the horses conformation). You probably will find that your horse won't work with his head really high, or as high as other horses. But you will find with schooling that he will find his own comfortable 'working' head carriage and as he becomes fitter, this will become easier for him and you to achieve.

Good luck, Thoroughbreds make wonderful riding horses!!

[lamprellsarah]

yeah i had the same problem my mare a CBx TB, was also long backed as well as being top heavy (thick neck)
i lunge in side reins once a week this also helps with her legs, she stumbles sometimes. i have found sidereins very good as well as helping her bring her head up, not lean on me, it has brought her more rounded, and in lighter carriage.

trying to hack her out and ask her to keep her head up was hard this is why i resorted to this, because asking her to use this muscles she hadn't for a long time meant she kept pulling and laying into me!!

i know how u feel u want the horse to be relaxed but maybe not this much!!

[Lucy J]

my youngster trots on the lunge with her nose on the ground to avoid using her neck muscles!!! Its funny to watch, but she does stumble, side reins prevent her from doing this, but I always make sure she has plenty of time to stretch as well. Perhaps also when riding draw reins might help so you can 'gather the horse up' a bit more?