I have an arab mare who is doing barrel racing and is getting really good at it. I make sure that when ever i do barrels I make sure she doesn't dance before we take off so that she stays calm upon ring entree. The problem is she has her head INCREDIBLE high all the time, at the worst she puts her nose strait in the air. I am really afraid she is going to hit me in the head with hers. I have been trying to make he put her head down by tapping the top of her head every time it comes up, however, that is hard to do with her when going around a barrel at a gallop when she doesn't neck-rein. Also whenever I tap her head or threaten to,(alot of the time)she plunges her head down for about 4 seconds and then it pops back up. I really really really DO NOT want to use a tie-down on her and I don't beleive in them. Last I use a snaffle bit which she stops well in. So does anyone have a method to get her head down? I have videos to show if you would like...

Hi

I have a friend that has a high headed arab. I think that you should try to do so calm work, such as flat, circles, sidepass, transitions and rein back. Then try to walk around the barrels and then trot. Only do that for a while. Only when she can trot around the barrels try to do gallop trot to walk tranistions without barrels.

If this doesn't work, try a running martingale. The are unlike tie downs because they give quite a bit of freedom. You can even get ones with elastic.  They only do anything if the horse puts it's head beond the point of cantrol.

My paint mare, who I ride both english and western, has the same problem, as much a you may not believe in tie-downs, there are only a few options out there for westen riders.  I recently had to put Rayne into a tiedown because she was hitting me in the face.  My suggestion, satrt with the tiedown a little to long, and the if the weight if the noseband doesn't do anything, than gradually shroten each time you ride, and arabians are naturally high headed any way, although some more than others.