It was eye opening how little things made your horse uncomfortable and I can see that it may be more of an issue with me than my horse. I have to start paying attention to my body when the head comes up to see if I'm making him uncomfortable or unbalanced. Thank you!
As always, another excellent video! As you know from our previous interactions, very relevant to what I am working on with Belle. I did find it very informative when you demonstrated that you didn't continue asking for a downward transition to a halt, when you felt her going somewhat hollow on the first two "asks". I saw that you waited until she was in a better frame and more able to respond to the transition without losing the roundness. I will work on this in my next ride.
Really great video - made me really think about what I am doing with my positioning that may be making the horse uncomfortable. I ride a stable horse who holds his head really high and is very sensitive to all aids. I will pay closer attention to what I am doing and how his head responds - thank you for this video 🙂
Thank you for this video! I am experiencing this with my mare. I think my posture and riding is the culprit. I’m having hip surgery in a week due to hip pain and I think I’m not as balanced as if I would be without pain. Thanks for this video.
This a great video demonstration it helped to explain carrying a high head. And it helped me to identify a hollow back, so important. I know it's my riding (posting) that throws him into a hollow back.
Jackie..my mother road on the back my grandmothers horse was stallion.i guess these things r different same ways to learn , However Kendall autism my son and I will at a broke indoor traning next week...a little more prepared..posting and high heads thanks....
Our Mustang NEVER puts his head down, not even in the pasture (other than grazing). He has a somewhat short neck. He’s sound. If he’s not eating, his head is up. 4 years old, goes fine under saddle, super chill attitude, EXCEPT for NEVER putting his head/neck into a relaxed downward position, no matter how relaxed he seems to be (soft eyes, some lick/chew, etc). Well if I stroke his faces and neck for 5 minutes he’ll get snoozy and will drop his head and doze IF I continually gently cue him. 5 or 10 minutes Passoa work sort of forces him into position, but I feel sorry for him and take it off. He won’t even look down at trot poles. I’m stumped.
Thank you for posting these! I'm still very green learning about horses but definitely look forward to seeing these videos learning more! Love your horse btw; how old is he/she?
I once rode a school horse, who started to raise her head whenever I asked for an upward transition, many times resulting in just speeding up her current gait but not transition into the next. Most often it happened when trying to go from trot to canter. She was a very long horse, more from a jumping line. Could this happen to be a sign of her (or me) being really out of balance? And if so, what could I do to help her (or me) staying more in balance. She never showed this behaviour while slowing down, though. And are there other signs from which I could tell, if the horse is alert or uncomfortable? As I often get tense myself, as soon as the horse starts to lift it's head and maybe even shuffles to a less balanced gait.
Nice video. I really like your explanations! I usually see that riders in Europe mostly tend to have it as a goal that their horse lowers it's head, but in videos from America I always see people ride horses with their heads high up to the sky and those horses really don't look comfortable or loosend up at all. I always ask myself why that is that a lot of American riders don't do or learn it in lessons. Does anyone know?
Ok. I have a TWH. She carries her head high all the time, in the pasture, during grooming, and under saddle. Not as high as a Saddlebred although she has been confused with one. Everyone says she has a nice headset.
Hi Lisa, great question! As an owner and trainer of American Saddlebred horses I like allow my guys to first work on a very loose rein, doing lots of circles and serpentines, getting soft to the bit and soft to the leg. I encourage them through bending to learn to reach deep from behind. We do LOTS of work at the walk, and only when they are completely comfortable and clear at the walk, do we begin SLOW trotting, still with lots of loose circles and serpentines. Only when they consistently 1. Relax (relaxed for a saddlebred might look high for a thoroughbred! Lol!) 2. Remain balanced 3. Remain soft and willing in the bridle; do I slowly allow them to carry their head and neck a little higher. If they tense up or hollow out I'll lower them again until they relax, and ask again. Hope that's helpful.
Aretha Crout thanks! That's exactly what I have been doing with my mare. A lot of circles and serpentines. I've been doing them to help with her balance and flexibility She doesn't have that extreme high head carriage of a performance Walker but I would definitely say its somewhat higher than the horse in the video.
Hi! My horse lift his head because he want to stop. He shorten hos stride and lift his head. Should I lenghten his stride with spurs? In order to maintain him in the correct position? Thank you very much
My horse in my opinion holds his head to low my vet seems to think that’s his previous training cause I have had him 5 years. Every time I ride him he’s so relaxed and laid back, when I first stated riding him his head was high. He even would crow hop, so I’m asking do you think this is normal?
I like that you are getting information out, but I would just add that looking at the head position is only part of the equation. Round is in the back not in the neck. I think that particular horse is still hollow even when the neck rounds up. There is actually not much of a difference in the lift of her back whether the head is up or not. You can tell by looking at the angle of the back behind the saddle. With horses that have a dropped back like her, you need to go in a very deep stretch to start engaging the abs and reverse the sagging belly, and mostly on the lunge line without the weight of a rider at first. I hesitated a lot before writing this comment, but I think it's important that people know what they are aiming for, so they do not only focus on the head and neck position. (horizontal back behind saddle is the goal, takes years of correct work, but so worth it for the health of your horse).
Hi Floraine, While I do not disagree with your comment, I would like to say that this video is specifically called "Why is my horse's head so high" and not, "How to achieve true collection". I think she is addressing the very first steps here, and common reasons why horses will travel inside out. Many beginning riders aren't even aware that high heads are undesirable, or what they themselves might be doing to contribute to it. Before we can achieve true collection, the rider must consider: "Is my horse nervous, in pain or uncomfortable?"
Absolutely right Guardian Angel, I apologize if I was not clear, what I meant is that it's by fixing the back that everything will come round naturally, including the neck. If you just get the neck in a "round frame", it will not necessarily raise the back. And teaching the horse to raise his back and engage his abs is crucial for his long term health, and it should be the very first step.
I understand what you say Aretha Crout , but I was not talking about collection here, which comes way down the line. I was talking about the very first steps of training actually. Focusing on the back and the abs engagement is the key to getting rid of pain, discomfort and nervousness. So many trainers are only focusing on the neck, and not ever mentioning the back, that a lot of horses even at the highest level are destroyed in their youth. Average age of a dressage horse is 7, in the past a horse could be ridden in dressage well into his 20s. Just because the back is not developed enough. Only reason I wrote that comment, did not mean to be critical, just raising awareness.
Hi Calli!! I love your videos!!! I have a 23 year old Appaloosa mare I've had for several years. She was a halter horse before I got her and had not been outside in the real world. I just pleasure ride and hack. This is a very nervous anxious mare about anything! Shes extremely hollow, I dont believe she ever was taught to use her body to her benefit. I've been working with her long and low from the ground she gets it! But when I add motion she loses it and gets high headed and fast and short strides. Any ideas? I know it's a huge problem!?😁
I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to ask how you got on with your mare in the end with her anxiety and holding her head high when riding? One of my older horse who was not ridden much (if at all) until he was about 17. He's 20+ now and I'm wondering if I should spend more time training him to be ridden or if I should just leave him be and enjoy his easy life.
I ride a horse who is forward going and he is new to the stable. I think that he is anxious and zooms around the ring with his head up because is is not content in himself yet at this stable and he has had some pain in his foot. The pain is being treated, but I think that he is not himself yet.
My mare won't keep her head down although she does now for up to 10 strides the problem shows it's self more in trot. I have changed my riding position and try to sit straight and back in saddle my hands are still just use soft but firm grip. Saddle was expertly fitted use non slip pad. Bit one piece happy mouth doesn't move on side of mouth saddle cloth non slip. I know my problem due to her being anxious and not knowing how to follow my hands. Help on this be great. I also do loads of pole work. When she jumps she's hard to control so work on balance for now.
My horse is always anxious when I ride though it seems only when I ask for different aids I have figured out that she is nervous about doing the wrong thing so she gets anxious and get a hollow frame she puts her head up so high that I have put my hand out and I can touch her head easily.
Is this also true for TWH? I have a 14 year old TWH with a husky frame and when I'm riding him his head is a bit higher then I believe it should be. I have been through 3 saddles and finally the 3rd saddle fits him correctly. I ride western and I always groom him including checking his underside for any dirt etc. I'm using a 3/4 inch round wool saddle pad that matches up good for the round skirt on the saddle giving him plenty of room in his shoulders and hunches. Your video has made me question myself if it's me or my horse or maybe both. Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, Rob Davis
Rob Davis It might be the bit you're using. I have a rocky mountain gelding and I used to ride him in the wonder bit he came with. I changed to a simple snaffle and he totally relaxed and let his head down.
I too changed his full snaffle bit to a Myler comfort snaffle 04 I believe is the number of the bit and he likes it much better. I will watch him when using this bit to see if I can get him to relax more and drop his head. Thanks for your help.
2. You forgot to mention the bit. It’s hardly ever the saddle. 90% of the time it’s the bit and stupid riders that don’t know what the heck they’re doing.
What makes you say the saddle is hardly ever the cause of a hollow back? I think most vets, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, and saddle fitters would disagree. but yes, a poorly fitting bit or a severe bit can cause contact evasion as well. :)
Have you been watching Raleighlink14? Or Think like a horse? Both very anti-bit channels, but neither of them base their opinions on facts or studies. Watch Shelby Dennis's bit debate video(with an open mind).
And no, I'm not saying bits never cause harm, in the wrong hands they can do horrendous damage. But a saddle is MUCH harder to fit than a bit, and thus saddle fit problems are highly common.
Its due to anxiey, not having a herd, and also, collection, carriage and other things weren't in his training. He's twh and for most people, they are nothing more than a biological atv.
mimi Okay Thanks I’ll go check those out. But yeah you can look up some vet studies on bits and the ones I’ve seen say they cause damage. If there’s one for bits that I haven’t seen please share that with me because I’d love to take a look at that!😊 And also I don’t really like hacks either. I’m more for Dr. Cooks bit-less bridle or rope halters. Not a fan of anything that causes pain. Just a personal preference not here to throw anyone under the bus.😊
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It was eye opening how little things made your horse uncomfortable and I can see that it may be more of an issue with me than my horse. I have to start paying attention to my body when the head comes up to see if I'm making him uncomfortable or unbalanced. Thank you!
You have a great way of teaching. Love your passion for your work
I knew her head was high for a reason that was my fault but my instructor never pointed it out or explained why. Now i know why. ☺
As always, another excellent video! As you know from our previous interactions, very relevant to what I am working on with Belle. I did find it very informative when you demonstrated that you didn't continue asking for a downward transition to a halt, when you felt her going somewhat hollow on the first two "asks". I saw that you waited until she was in a better frame and more able to respond to the transition without losing the roundness. I will work on this in my next ride.
Very timely for me. Lots of good advice here.
Really great video - made me really think about what I am doing with my positioning that may be making the horse uncomfortable. I ride a stable horse who holds his head really high and is very sensitive to all aids. I will pay closer attention to what I am doing and how his head responds - thank you for this video 🙂
I love your approach. The demo was brilliant. 😊
Thank you Callie it is very useful every video you share with us.
Thank you for this video! I am experiencing this with my mare. I think my posture and riding is the culprit. I’m having hip surgery in a week due to hip pain and I think I’m not as balanced as if I would be without pain. Thanks for this video.
Very good class about horse head problems, thank you dear Callie! :)
Love.💐💖
This a great video demonstration it helped to explain carrying a high head. And it helped me to identify a hollow back, so important. I know it's my riding (posting) that throws him into a hollow back.
Thank you great video - will definitely help us in our training moving forwards
You explain things so well thank you!!!
Jackie..my mother road on the back my grandmothers horse was stallion.i guess these things r different same ways to learn , However Kendall autism my son and I will at a broke indoor traning next week...a little more prepared..posting and high heads thanks....
This was really good. I enjoyed watching. I clicked as was curious....positively surprised. Love your stuff :)
Thank you much
just incredible
Our Mustang NEVER puts his head down, not even in the pasture (other than grazing).
He has a somewhat short neck. He’s sound.
If he’s not eating, his head is up.
4 years old, goes fine under saddle, super chill attitude, EXCEPT for NEVER putting his head/neck into a relaxed downward position, no matter how relaxed he seems to be (soft eyes, some lick/chew, etc).
Well if I stroke his faces and neck for 5 minutes he’ll get snoozy and will drop his head and doze IF I continually gently cue him.
5 or 10 minutes Passoa work sort of forces him into position, but I feel sorry for him and take it off.
He won’t even look down at trot poles.
I’m stumped.
Thank you for posting these! I'm still very green learning about horses but definitely look forward to seeing these videos learning more! Love your horse btw; how old is he/she?
I once rode a school horse, who started to raise her head whenever I asked for an upward transition, many times resulting in just speeding up her current gait but not transition into the next. Most often it happened when trying to go from trot to canter. She was a very long horse, more from a jumping line. Could this happen to be a sign of her (or me) being really out of balance? And if so, what could I do to help her (or me) staying more in balance. She never showed this behaviour while slowing down, though.
And are there other signs from which I could tell, if the horse is alert or uncomfortable? As I often get tense myself, as soon as the horse starts to lift it's head and maybe even shuffles to a less balanced gait.
Such a beautiful horse ❤️
Beautiful horse
Nice video. I really like your explanations!
I usually see that riders in Europe mostly tend to have it as a goal that their horse lowers it's head, but in videos from America I always see people ride horses with their heads high up to the sky and those horses really don't look comfortable or loosend up at all. I always ask myself why that is that a lot of American riders don't do or learn it in lessons. Does anyone know?
thank you for the great video
Hi, just seeing as I love your videos!! Do you have a video of how to get a horse to relax its head on a lunge?
Please..can u talk about how to train a young horse to do it🙏
What about with those breeds that have a naturally high headset, i.e Saddlebreds, Friesians, etc?
These breeds have specifically been bred for a high, upright head carriage. It's very much a structural feature in them.
Ok. I have a TWH. She carries her head high all the time, in the pasture, during grooming, and under saddle. Not as high as a Saddlebred although she has been confused with one. Everyone says she has a nice headset.
Hi Lisa, great question! As an owner and trainer of American Saddlebred horses I like allow my guys to first work on a very loose rein, doing lots of circles and serpentines, getting soft to the bit and soft to the leg. I encourage them through bending to learn to reach deep from behind. We do LOTS of work at the walk, and only when they are completely comfortable and clear at the walk, do we begin SLOW trotting, still with lots of loose circles and serpentines. Only when they consistently 1. Relax (relaxed for a saddlebred might look high for a thoroughbred! Lol!) 2. Remain balanced 3. Remain soft and willing in the bridle; do I slowly allow them to carry their head and neck a little higher. If they tense up or hollow out I'll lower them again until they relax, and ask again. Hope that's helpful.
Aretha Crout thanks! That's exactly what I have been doing with my mare. A lot of circles and serpentines. I've been doing them to help with her balance and flexibility
She doesn't have that extreme high head carriage of a performance Walker but I would definitely say its somewhat higher than the horse in the video.
Thank you so much, it was so clear the reason. I’m going to work on it.
HORSE-O:Is asking, "Why the heck are ya asking me to more in this manner?!?!" LOL
Explain head tossing?
Hi! My horse lift his head because he want to stop. He shorten hos stride and lift his head. Should I lenghten his stride with spurs? In order to maintain him in the correct position?
Thank you very much
My horse in my opinion holds his head to low my vet seems to think that’s his previous training cause I have had him 5 years. Every time I ride him he’s so relaxed and laid back, when I first stated riding him his head was high. He even would crow hop, so I’m asking do you think this is normal?
I like that you are getting information out, but I would just add that looking at the head position is only part of the equation. Round is in the back not in the neck. I think that particular horse is still hollow even when the neck rounds up. There is actually not much of a difference in the lift of her back whether the head is up or not. You can tell by looking at the angle of the back behind the saddle. With horses that have a dropped back like her, you need to go in a very deep stretch to start engaging the abs and reverse the sagging belly, and mostly on the lunge line without the weight of a rider at first. I hesitated a lot before writing this comment, but I think it's important that people know what they are aiming for, so they do not only focus on the head and neck position. (horizontal back behind saddle is the goal, takes years of correct work, but so worth it for the health of your horse).
Hi Floraine, While I do not disagree with your comment, I would like to say that this video is specifically called "Why is my horse's head so high" and not, "How to achieve true collection". I think she is addressing the very first steps here, and common reasons why horses will travel inside out. Many beginning riders aren't even aware that high heads are undesirable, or what they themselves might be doing to contribute to it. Before we can achieve true collection, the rider must consider: "Is my horse nervous, in pain or uncomfortable?"
Floriane Weyrich honestly I think round isn’t just the back it’s from the poll to the top of the tail your horse as whole should be round!!
Absolutely right Guardian Angel, I apologize if I was not clear, what I meant is that it's by fixing the back that everything will come round naturally, including the neck. If you just get the neck in a "round frame", it will not necessarily raise the back. And teaching the horse to raise his back and engage his abs is crucial for his long term health, and it should be the very first step.
Floriane Weyrich ok yeah now that makes since lol!!
I understand what you say Aretha Crout , but I was not talking about collection here, which comes way down the line. I was talking about the very first steps of training actually. Focusing on the back and the abs engagement is the key to getting rid of pain, discomfort and nervousness. So many trainers are only focusing on the neck, and not ever mentioning the back, that a lot of horses even at the highest level are destroyed in their youth. Average age of a dressage horse is 7, in the past a horse could be ridden in dressage well into his 20s. Just because the back is not developed enough. Only reason I wrote that comment, did not mean to be critical, just raising awareness.
Hi Calli!! I love your videos!!! I have a 23 year old Appaloosa mare I've had for several years. She was a halter horse before I got her and had not been outside in the real world. I just pleasure ride and hack. This is a very nervous anxious mare about anything! Shes extremely hollow, I dont believe she ever was taught to use her body to her benefit. I've been working with her long and low from the ground she gets it! But when I add motion she loses it and gets high headed and fast and short strides. Any ideas? I know it's a huge problem!?😁
I know this is an old comment but I just wanted to ask how you got on with your mare in the end with her anxiety and holding her head high when riding? One of my older horse who was not ridden much (if at all) until he was about 17. He's 20+ now and I'm wondering if I should spend more time training him to be ridden or if I should just leave him be and enjoy his easy life.
I ride a horse who is forward going and he is new to the stable. I think that he is anxious and zooms around the ring with his head up because is is not content in himself yet at this stable and he has had some pain in his foot. The pain is being treated, but I think that he is not himself yet.
He is also not viewing the person as a confident trusted leader. That is the person's fault.
My mare won't keep her head down although she does now for up to 10 strides the problem shows it's self more in trot.
I have changed my riding position and try to sit straight and back in saddle my hands are still just use soft but firm grip.
Saddle was expertly fitted use non slip pad. Bit one piece happy mouth doesn't move on side of mouth saddle cloth non slip.
I know my problem due to her being anxious and not knowing how to follow my hands.
Help on this be great. I also do loads of pole work. When she jumps she's hard to control so work on balance for now.
My horse is always anxious when I ride though it seems only when I ask for different aids I have figured out that she is nervous about doing the wrong thing so she gets anxious and get a hollow frame she puts her head up so high that I have put my hand out and I can touch her head easily.
Please never stop❤️😍
A forth reason could be its natural normal relaxed lazy happy horse.
Jeffery Schirm that’s what my vet told me previous training or just so relaxed happy and yes lazy.
Is this also true for TWH? I have a 14 year old TWH with a husky frame and when I'm riding him his head is a bit higher then I believe it should be. I have been through 3 saddles and finally the 3rd saddle fits him correctly. I ride western and I always groom him including checking his underside for any dirt etc. I'm using a 3/4 inch round wool saddle pad that matches up good for the round skirt on the saddle giving him plenty of room in his shoulders and hunches. Your video has made me question myself if it's me or my horse or maybe both. Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, Rob Davis
TWH usually have a high headset due to their natural gait from my understanding.
Rob Davis It might be the bit you're using. I have a rocky mountain gelding and I used to ride him in the wonder bit he came with. I changed to a simple snaffle and he totally relaxed and let his head down.
I too changed his full snaffle bit to a Myler comfort snaffle 04 I believe is the number of the bit and he likes it much better. I will watch him when using this bit to see if I can get him to relax more and drop his head. Thanks for your help.
My horse does it when it wants to go faster🦄btw great video!!❤️❤️
In my case He’s definitely on high alert 😳
2. You forgot to mention the bit. It’s hardly ever the saddle. 90% of the time it’s the bit and stupid riders that don’t know what the heck they’re doing.
Sparky16 thank you I’m not the only person who notices
What makes you say the saddle is hardly ever the cause of a hollow back? I think most vets, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, and saddle fitters would disagree. but yes, a poorly fitting bit or a severe bit can cause contact evasion as well. :)
Have you been watching Raleighlink14? Or Think like a horse? Both very anti-bit channels, but neither of them base their opinions on facts or studies. Watch Shelby Dennis's bit debate video(with an open mind).
And no, I'm not saying bits never cause harm, in the wrong hands they can do horrendous damage. But a saddle is MUCH harder to fit than a bit, and thus saddle fit problems are highly common.
mimi same. I'm 17, and I still cringe.
Do you teach lessons x
My horse is biting me how can I make it stop
I love ur videos ❤️😍
Can you do one on ponies #Cobs
'something uncomfortable'............like tension on the bit hurting his mouth.
Its due to anxiey, not having a herd, and also, collection, carriage and other things weren't in his training. He's twh and for most people, they are nothing more than a biological atv.
I think on my horse it is my riding that makes him hollow his back
You didn't quite touch on the main reason. That is, the horse does not view the rider as a higher horse.
That horse is still hollow.
YES!!
It's under development..
Building up muscle or rebuilding a horse will take time..
I don't think he is. Can you post a link here of your own videos Kristine?
Absolutely Blonde go to www.art2ride.
No offense but why won’t you go bit-less? There are a ton of vet studies on how bad they are for the horses health and the horses riding actions
mimi Okay Thanks I’ll go check those out. But yeah you can look up some vet studies on bits and the ones I’ve seen say they cause damage. If there’s one for bits that I haven’t seen please share that with me because I’d love to take a look at that!😊 And also I don’t really like hacks either. I’m more for Dr. Cooks bit-less bridle or rope halters. Not a fan of anything that causes pain. Just a personal preference not here to throw anyone under the bus.😊
Zoe T Bits cause damage when they are in the wrong hands... A bit is only as harsh as the hands using it
Meanwhile my horse would always carry his head as low as possible