i was asked by a friend to ride his horses and brush him up on things so my friend can go riding with me this summer but i'm having a lot of trouble... When the horse dose somthing i ask i stop and pet him for a min and go agin and he dose relly good some days but every day i go back it is like he forgot what we went threw!I'm having a hard time teaching him to back up and he keeps throwing his head and it dose not matter what i have him in weather it be a bit[ i have tryed a d ring, sweet 6, toms thum, and a hackamore not the mechamicle ones]all with the same thing he throws his head around violently not up and down more side to side.if some one can tell me what i'm doing wrong that would be great
Rewards
Subscribe to Equus Online University and become a part of Monty's worldwide mission to leave the world a better place for horses and for people too.
Students automatically gain access to special rewards, such as exclusive discounts at the Monty Roberts Online Shop. Visit Monty Roberts Online Shop.
Work from the ground first to teach the horse to back using a dually halter. Make sure your not pulling back or leaning into the horse where the horse is leaning back. You want to use short quick bursts, lightly at first if the horse doesn't respond then harder quick bursts until he backs. Then go back to a light touch. This teaches the horse to move on a light touch not a heavy touch. If this horse has not had join-up and long lining I would highly recommend this it teaches the horse to respond to the bit and not push through it. I'm not sure why this horse is throwing his head around but be careful when working from the ground that you don't get hit. Again long lining will teach this horse not to throw his head but to respond to the bit. I hope this helps.
thank you i will give that a try.
If he shakes his head only when in a bridle and ridden, you might also want to check his teeth!
Ditto Kicki.
Hi jkula,
I always thought a horse that throws it's head from side to side was being defient but I just found out that it is actually telling you, I didn't mean to do that.
There could be a couple of things going on.
1. teeth or mouth problems
2. wrong bit for this particular horse's mouth
3. callous mouth, someone has been too tough with hs mouth
The reason I say this is I come accross this all the time at the stable I ride at.
These horses have the wrong equipment and too many riders, some with light hands, which is rare because they are just learning and those who feel force is the only way.
Every horse has a unique shape to it's mouth. Can you look inside the horse's mouth safely? If so, check the shape of his roof. Is it round, flat, curved and so on.
Once you have done this go to a really good tack shop and see what they have to offer.
Even the proper width is important.
Perhaps he is fighting backing up because his mouth is uncomfortable, try the above and see if this helps, OK.
If the horse is comfortable and doesn't have a problem with a rider on his back you should do OK.
Hope this helps,
Ronda
Great thoughts, Ronda. My husbands horse Emmett, when we got him, was tossing his head, wouldnt turn properly, seemed miserable, until I noticed the bit seemed tight. Got him a new one, half an inch longer, and that solved the problem. Now hes happy and no more head tossing.
Hi jkula!
.
Please do the horse a favour and let him be checked by dentist, vet and chiropractor! It might be that there are problems in his mouth. And if there are problems with the teeth, there are also problems in his vertebra! It might also be that he is a head shaker or a horse suffering from ataxia.
Please check this and tell us about your progress.
Best wishes
Jasmin