Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Western Pleasure and head-set

From: Elena

My name is Elena and I was wondering if you could give me any tips on getting my mounts head to stay down during our western pleasure classes. I have tried everything I can think of but she, (my mount) stil insists on having her head up!

Hi Elena! My first question is "Does she carry her head where you want her to (level with her withers) when you ride her at home?" If she works well at home and you don't change her tack for showing, she's probably just reacting to the excitement of being at a show. All the commotion, other horses, crowds of people, strange smells, strange sounds (including loudspeakers!), flapping flags, running children, and sometimes airplanes or hot air ballons -- and even just working in a ring with other horses all around her -- any or all of these factors could be making her excited, and excited horses put their heads UP.

You might consider taking her to a show or two and just riding her around the grounds, so that there's no pressure on either of you to "perform." If you carry a pocketful of treats and just keep her walking around, looking at things, standing still and getting treats, she'll start to learn that the show grounds aren't all THAT exciting, and that they can be a good place for a horse to be (treats!).

Something else you might consider is whether YOU are nervous and excited at shows. Many riders get a little nervous -- if you are nervous, your horse will feel this immediately and become nervous too. Sometimes getting your horse calm is simply a matter of getting yourself calm, by sitting tall and doing deep breathing.

If you DO change your tack for shows, be sure that your show saddle isn't pinching her back -- or that your new, thick show pad isn't making the saddle fit more tightly than it does over your old Navajo schooling pad.

Check that your show bridle isn't rubbing her ear or making the bit ride higher or lower in her mouth. These can all be causes of nervousness and a higher head carriage. A new bit can have the same effect -- so can new spurs. Work her at home in whatever tack and equipment she'll be wearing at the show, so that there aren't any surprises. If she acts worried about her mouth or the bit, have your vet check her teeth -- they may need floating.

Extra contact can also make WP horses lift their heads -- if you can watch some of the Richard Shrake and John Lyons tapes, they'll help you learn how to work WITH your mare to keep her quiet and calm. These tapes will also help you work the mare correctly this season to get her prepared to be competitive NEXT season, if you decide that the mare isn't consistent enough at home to be quite ready to take to shows.

Good luck!

- Jessica

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