Keeping Head down-Western Pleasure

Question
Hi, I have a problem with my horse not keeping their heads down. They are pretty collected, but they just don't want to do the headset. Both are good at doing the vertical, but I do not know how to teach them to give and leave their head there. I want to get into showing western (perhaps English,too) could you give me some tips? Usually I use a lot of natural training. I am unsure about using tiedowns and stuff like that. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Lina!

Tie downs, draw-reins, gipping, side-reins do not work.  As soon as the "gimmick" is gone the head pops right back up.  You have to eliminate the braces in the horses body, get to the feet, teach a soft feel and the horse will just pack his head in the proper position.  

Good head carriage is about freedom in the body, freedom in the feet and relaxation!  What your are experiencing is false collection.  You will have lots of lameness in your horses because they are moving braced and not free.  Joints will come under serious concussion and stress as well as ligaments and tendons until you figure out the braces and move with relaxation and freedom.  The head can't stay because the body cramps and the horse must find comfort.  So, don't concentrate on getting the head in position, get the feet right and the head will follow.  

Do lots of bending and yielding the hind quarters making sure you are getting to the feet. Comb down your inside rein, lift your had up and toward the front pocket of your jeans.  Do NOT pull your horse but get him to follow the feel with little releases for the trys.  The head and neck should bend deeply toward your knee making sure to keep the head level and the muzzle perpendicular to the ground.  With your inside leg, bump behind the cinch toward the flanks if you need to in order to kick the hinds out of gear.  The inside hind leg must be stepping up and under the body and the front feet must continue to step in a smaller circle with the inside shoulder elevated.  Do this until you can feel the horse relax, then release your leg keeping the horse bent until his feet come still.  This is yielding the hind quarters to a one rein stop.  

Next, roll your horse over his hinds without coming to a complete stop and go in the other direction.  Do NOT ride in both hands.  Ride in one rein ONLY!  Your horse can brace against two hands and create a false bend.  Actually, watch a race horse run...the jockey is balanced on the horses mouth and yet the horse is still setting a track record!  Avoid doing this!  Also, lots of leg yielding and lateral movements always in one rein.  Be very aware of too much supporting rein in lateral movements.  You will need some support from an outside rein, but mix the program up a lot.  Spend more time concentrating on one rein only, lots of bending, and having your legs be more important than the rein in lateral work.

Try this and let me know how things are going.  If I have used terms or concepts that you do not quite understand, please let me know and I'll clarify!

Smiles!  Denise