how to get a mare to stop raising her head??

Question
hi i have a five year old mare that i have had since a newborn, i broke her myself. she does everything really well carries head low neck flat,  turns, neck reins, backs and stops. she is really mellow. the problem i am haveing is when i ask her to stop or back she raises her head way up before she will do it. she doesn't throw it up just lifts it and holds it way up  there till i let loose of the reins or stop backing. the question i have is how do i get her to keep her head down? i have used a tomb thumb bit since day one. i have had people tell me to change to an o-ring snaffle or use a head setter or tiedown on her. i am really confused on what to try. any suggestions?


thanks
cory  

Answer
Hi Cory!

Your mare most likely carries her head low and flat because of her conformation. It is her natural head carriage. She holds it that way in the stall and in the pasture. As long as you don't disturb her that is how she will go under saddle.

What is happening when you stop and back her is that the pressure of the bit is uncomfortable ( understandably ) and is causing her to raise her head in a defensive manner.

Finished western horses have been trained to keep their heads low even while backing. Which is the activity which invloves the most rein/bit pressure.

Your mare though sweet tempered and willing, does not have true bit acceptence.

Bit acceptence is when your horse flexes at the poll and reacts to all your rein aids without resistence.

There are many and various ways to train a horse to that point. Your horse will not just one day stop lifting her head. You must train her to do so.

Long lining, longeing with side reins, martingales and draw reins are the normal methods to fix this problems.

I am cautious in advising you about this because, you are at the most important and delicate stage of a horse's developement Through either ingorance or impatience many horses have been ruined while having a " headset or outline" put on them.

Find a professional in your area you trust to be competent and humane, they will be able to decide the right training path for you and your horse.

In the meantime, I recommend a D ring snaffle bit with a training fork clipped onto the center ring of your breastcollar. The fork needs to be long enough to not engage when your horses head is relaxed but, short enough to prevent her from nosing out completely.

This will help her regulate her head position without being too constrictive and causing her to either rear up or fight the bit even harder.

Good Luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange