Need some pointers for ground work

Question
Hi, Ms. Bulger:

I just bought a nice foundation-bred quarter gelding. He's 5, just gelded and totally green.

I have 45 years experience, but haven't started a colt since dinosaurs roamed the earth.

I got him 2 weeks ago, and began the sacking out process, which he accepts pretty well. he's let me lie and sit on his back, then changed his mind!, but we go back and review stuff.

The biggest problem, or challenge, I'm having is he raises his head up when I approach, or begin doing anything to him. I immediately go rub his poll, trying to get him to relax. He does not "white eye" me, but he definitely would rather I not touch his poll. He loves his forehead rubbed, and will even let me wash his face, but only after his head goes up.

Not knowing much about his background or handling, I suspect somebody "cowboyed" him at some point - he is 5 after all, and supposedly, the previous owner "got on him twice." Knowing him as I do now, there's no way she got on him.

And, besides the high heading me, he also still pulls back when tied if he gets nervous. But he's learning that he cannot get loose, so that is changing.

What am I obviously missing about him raising his head?
here's a picture of him - maybe I'm missing something in his conformation? I'm lost at this point and have never had a head-shy horse not respond to what I do.

Answer
Hi,

First of all I want to apologize for not responding to your question sooner, I never got an email stating I had a question pending. I am very sorry about that.

This site does not allow me to receive photos, but I will go forward with responding to your questions without it. While his conformation could be of such, that his natural head carriage is high, there is no reason he can't be taught to lower it for grooming, bridling and even to some degree under saddle.

My first suggest is to have a vet check him, confirm he doesn't have any eyesight probles, issues with his ears or previous neck injuries that cause him to react like that. Providing he checks out okay, I'd continue with what you are doing, more and more de-sensitizing. Gradually he'll overcome his fears and trust you. Also he might be a canidate to reward with some horse cookies, when he does lower his head. If you are concerned he may start being mouthy when you feed him by hand, put the cookies, grain, etc., in a shallow flat bucket and feed him from that instead of you hand. Also when you reward him for putting his head down, lower the bucket, so he must not only put his head down when he gets his reward but allow  you to keep touching his poll. This  many take numerous tries and in the begining reward any downward movement. Also remember that horses learn from the release part, so when he's good, he learns from how quickly you reward him and stop the proceeding cue or exercise.

As far as tieing up goes, did he pull back with his previous owner? Is this something new? Is it out of fear or just plain, lack of respect. Again, horses learn from the reward, so start slowly, praising him when he stands for any length of time to start with and gradually increasing it. Be sure he's tied in a secure safe place, and I high recommend a no pull tie ring..there are many on the market, but they allow enough "play" in the rope, making them safer than just tieing one to a solid object.

It sounds like you are off to a great start. Please let me know if I can be of any further help.

Jen