Training aids

[Schuldig]

Okay, so I'm in the process of retraining a 6 y.o. OTTB from dressage to hunter/jumper. Any help with how I can help him get his head down? Or anyone done this before or have experiance with OTTBs and want to give me pointers?

Thanks

[bethfornow]

it takes more back strength and diffrent muscles for a horse to work well with their head down. (that is why western pleasure horses have to be so freggin strong and conditioned) You first need to establish with your horse that while working with his head up used to be acceptable, now you would prefer it down and that he work from the rear.

If you have a round pen, start by using a mild bit and tying the reins under his legs to the girth (tie it about where the girth and leather strap meet) you want to tie them loose enough so that there is light to minimal caontact with his mouth then ask him to walk. Be prepared to push him on with the lunge whip for a while until he understands that he is supposed to walk in spite of the mouth pressure. Tying thr reins through his front legs instead of straight back teaches the horse the diff between steady pressure (which means whoa) and handing the pressure off or alternating hands (which means to collect and drop his head). Eventually he will learn that dropping his head and and collecting himself takes the pressure off his mouth. Because working with the head down is harder and you are asking him somthingnew and possibly confusing, be prepared for him to resist and possibly refuse to move forward, just gently push him through it. If he is freaked out and trying to rear or back or excessivly shaking his head it means that the reins are much too tight and you need to loosen them.

When you ride him, simply simulate the round pen excorsize with you hands. Drop you hands and straighten your elbows so that you are holding the reins down by his shoulder, then gently alternate pressure from one hand to another using only your fingers and wrists. Remember to go with the tempo of his footfalls.

hope this helps.

[dandyroxmysox]

Okay, so I'm in the process of retraining a 6 y.o. OTTB from dressage to hunter/jumper. Any help with how I can help him get his head down? Or anyone done this before or have experiance with OTTBs and want to give me pointers?

Thanks

well.
it would probably help to use draw reins.
hope u do well.
good luck.

[bethfornow]

If you havent used draw reins before on another horse, i would not recomend it. They can confuse the he** out of a horse, especially one who may not be quite sure what ur asking in the first place.

If you want to use a "gadget", use a training fork. They are not as harsh, easier to communicate to your horse with and much easier to remove in the case of emergency.

[HorseDayz11]

I know a trainer that trains people around my ranch. She does western pleasure all the time. Go with bethfornow's suggestion. It really explains a lot in an easier form. Make sure you take it easy on the horse at first though. She may yank at the rein pressure. Take it slow and easy. Horses are smart, but if they don't know it, and they get hurt on their first try, they'll get scared the next time.