Lowering a horses head exercise (natural horsemanship)

[leopardlove26]

very helpful video



[FDHorsetraining]

@leopardlove26Thanks! : )

[scooby9234]

my horse is alsways rubbing on my arm and my side and my legs and i'm not sure how to repremand her for that or get her to stop it. I don't want to smack her on the head because I don't want her to be headshy. Should I yank on her halter and tell her no? She does it mostly when I take her bridle off. Someone told me not to stand where she can rub on me but that is almost impossible because I have to stand near her head to get her bridle off. How can I get her to stop rubbing her head on me???

[FDHorsetraining]

@scooby9234 I actually would move out of the way when she does this and refuse to remove her bridle until she holds her head still for me. The idea being that if she wants it off, I will be glad to do it if she will offer to hold her head still. It may take a while for her to get it but it usually doesn't. Bridles make horses heads itchy and they are anxious to scratch as soon as they know they are are getting them off. But they can easily be taught not to do this. Hope this helps : )

[SolutionByEvolution]

@FDHorsetraining The down side to moving out the way is that the horse may begin to believe it can move you, which is typically not desirable. If it really is a concern best to be proactive and back the horse out of your space, not back yourself out of the horse's space. Each time the horse gets backed up, after some iterations you will be able to walk up to your horse to remove the bridle without becoming an itching post. Generally I just scratch my horse, problem solved with bonding.

[FDHorsetraining]

@SolutionByEvolution Thanks for sharing your experience. I have yet to have a horse get dominant with my approach yet as they are most often seeking to have the bridle removed and quickly figure out how to get me to do it. All horse are different though and no one method works for one horse. That is why I address each horse as an individual and am always prepared to draw on another approach if need be...: )

[xoSiNgInGiNtHeRaInox]

@scooby9234 don't yank on the halter, it hurts their poll and makes them dull. i agree with FDHorsetraining.

[SolutionByEvolution]

@scooby9234 Why on earth would you want to repremand your horse? The bridle causes the horse to be awefully itchy and hence the need to scratch its head on you. The remedy is simple, scratch your horse's head when her body language is indicating the need. Be gentle, don't throw your hand toward her face with conviction, instead move gracefully and then scratch away...your horse will soon become acustomed to this and will ask for it. A great bonding opportunity.

[xoSiNgInGiNtHeRaInox]

i want to teach my horse to lower her head while riding, but i'm not sure what cue to use. do you have any ideas?

[xoSiNgInGiNtHeRaInox]

im in love with your horse

I LOVE her personality. sooo cute

[FDHorsetraining]

@xoSiNgInGiNtHeRaInox Thanx : )

[FDHorsetraining]

@HorseLovingFreak You may need to build more trust with your mare as she is still new. Try doing it and holding a treat at the same time you put your hand up. Immediately release your hand and give her the treat when she goes down even a little bit toward the treat. Let me know if that helps...

[FDHorsetraining]

@HorseLovingFreak Great! Let me know how it goes...

[Etruscan1]

Lindsay and Karina - I'm going to try this with Nabil.

[ra1butler]

i have a new ottb 4yr who i think this is perfect for. going to try this today. thank you. rb

[xPrincessSamanthax]

I Am Going To Try This With One Of The Horses I Work With :) Thanks :D

[Juaquiene]

Excellent video, I'm gonna try this exercise on my Quarter/Tenn. Walker. He's really tall and nervous about his head