Head Tossing

Last post 11-17-2011 8:28 AM by ccnzona. 8 replies.
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  • 08-15-2011 10:52 AM

    Head Tossing

    Training advice on my 9 year old SSH that tosses his head when he's frustrated or irritated.  I think he needs more work on giving to the bit because he won't really collect without throwing a "fit" as I've been calling them.

    They've been getting better but I notice them the most on going down hills (which is a very inconvenient position for him to do it...).

    Thoughts? Advice? Maybe I should still have a chiro look at him?
  • 08-15-2011 12:42 PM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    I would check saddle fit first ; ) That is what makes my horse fussy with his head. Also, just general strength in his hind end. We had issues with this, but after much fiddling with saddle, bit, and finally putting him on a joint supplement, it has gone away... And I don't think it is because my riding has magically improved that much, lol.

    ETA: I just saw on your other post that you just got him in a custom saddle. It could just be a learned habit then, that will get better as he gets in better shape. I have always found that the custom saddles need to be looked at every 3-6 months as the horses back changes to make sure it is still fitting, because it is usually different on either side and as muscling evens out needs to be worked on again. But this is for dressage saddles, your saddle may be completely different.  So if his back is fine, think hocks, bit, and just general strength next. 
  • 08-15-2011 1:48 PM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    Every custom saddle--not just dressage saddles--needs to be checked every 6 months. I always have mine checked regularly, and several times I've needed the flocking added to, or reduced, due to the horse's muscles changing. Since your horse flings his head while going downhill--and if you DO get your saddle checked often--I would suggest asking a chiropractor or body worker to look at him.

    Another piece of advice: he may be protesting the bit. You say he doesn't "collect"--do you actually mean flex at the poll and"go on the bit" when you say "collect"?--and if you're using the reins to get vertical flexion I can see why he's throwing a fit. When you're going downhill do you use the reins to keep him from rushing? Again, he may be protesting your heavy hands when you pull on him to slow him down.

    To get him to give to the bit happily, use just a few OUNCES of pressure on the reins--a very subtle amount--and keep the pressure the same for as long as it takes for him to flex at the poll. He will try different things to evade the pressure--even though it is very light--so follow his head with the reins as he moves it. He'll try bending right, then bending left, then putting his head up, then backing up, but just keep the same light pressure as you follow him with your hands. Eventually he will try lowering his head and flexing at the poll: when he does, tell him "that's the right answer" by loosening the reins immediately. Just drop them. Give him some time--maybe a min?--to relax and think about what he did before you ask again with the LIGHT pressure. Once he gets the hang of flexing for a second, ask him to hold the flex for two secs. Then 5 secs. Then 15 secs. You know where I'm going with this. It may take days to get him to be happy with flexing at the poll for just one circuit around the arena, but that's what you need to do: be patient. Not only will that make him happy about going on the bit, it will make him SO light in your hands, and that's what you want: a horse who happily works with you from just the smallest aid.

    Good luck.

    ETA: Flexing at the poll is hard work. That's why you go in small increments, slowly, in increasing the time he stays flexed. Not only does he need to learn to hold the flex, he has to gain the strength he needs for flexing.
    Megan


    "The horse you get off is not the horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better."

    Anonymous




  • 08-16-2011 8:45 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    I do get my saddle checked often and I am very diligent about watching for dry spots/rub marks etc. every time I ride.

    He has always been a head tosser and I do believe that it is in response to the bit pressure.  I don't know if he has really been trained to take it "nicely" and give to bit pressure correctly.  I've learned to be very soft through the reins because of his head tossing and irritability when I have what he considers to be too much or even for too long - I really think he is just throwing a fit - he doesn't need much pressure for direction and that I do really like and really want to improve his reaction.

    I will work on the flexing at the poll/collection/vertical flexion as you have described.  We are also working on his general muscling etc.  

    Thank you so much for the advice and great description!! I can almost see it happening!! I have all the time in the world - I just want a happy horse!
  • 08-17-2011 4:25 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    If you aren't schooling him for the show ring where a bit is a requirement, you might want to try a bitless bridle.  There are many different styles on the market.

    One of my TWH's is 16 and has worn a mechanical hackamore since I bought him 13+ years ago.  I had slid that horse down more than one embankment and done a lot of road riding.  The only time he ever tries to run away is when he sees the lake -  he loves the water and it used to take everything in me to keep him plunging in.  I wouldn't have minded the plunging part, but boats get docked in that area and who-knows-what might waiting to catch his legs or cut them.

    I put a Dr. Cook's Bitless on another TWH when he was a long 3 yr old and he thought he'd gone to Heaven.  The day I took the bit out of his mouth was the day he quit fighting me.

    Some horses just do not like the bit and I am not about forcing it on them if they will perform better in a bitless and mind their manners:)

    Also, regarding going downhill.  If a horse is in pain somewhere in their skeletal system, it will really show up when they are moving downhill.  They will try to hurry and get the task overwith and oftentimes will try to move sideways downhill because it's more comfortable on their sacrum and vertebra:)

  • 10-05-2011 8:36 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    I wanted to follow-up to my first post/question.

    I have gotten the head tossing to stop!! First I installed the half-hault and he is doing fabulous with that speed control and communication with me.  Now have been working with him flexing at the poll and keeping his head where it should be while we are riding.  I have to hold the pressure for a couple seconds longer than what normally is held for this training transition, but I think he is starting to get the hang of it!

    He would flex at the poll and I would release as I should but then he would throw his head up (ugh frustrating).  A trail ride with my trainer solved that problem but holding for just a second or 2 longer to allow the rest of his body to catch up with that flex...no more head tossing!! 

    I only have to use a couple ounces of pressure, his mouth is so soft, I love the responsiveness now that we actually understand each other! Whohooo!!
  • 10-05-2011 9:08 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    Congratulations! Isn't it great, have a horse who's light in your hands? Plus, he's really listening to you in addition!
    Megan


    "The horse you get off is not the horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better."

    Anonymous




  • 10-05-2011 11:43 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

     Yay!  Don't you love it when things "click" and the horse finally understands what you are asking?  Congratulations.

  • 11-17-2011 8:28 AM In reply to

    Re: Head Tossing

    I hear lots about head tossing and if this has already been covered, well, I didn't read everyone's comment.  But I just found out from my ortho surgeon that my mare, who has been tossing her head for awhile (I just thought it was her arab hoity-toityness and marish attitude) has bursitis in her left front shoulder, and of course back issues, arthritis and some bone spurs are starting.  Vet indicated the bursitis was probably reason for head tossing...Today is one week after her injections.  I rode her last night and she moved forward again and guess what, no head tossing.  Start em out slow though and on straight work only, to recondition as those muscles they should have been using weren't used and need to be built up again.  Vet told me about 30 days of straight work (walk, trot, then walk trot canter).  Period of about 15-20 minutes to start, then graduate slowly.

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