For those who ride up-headed breeds -- exercises to help find the stretch

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I recently bought a DHH gelding out of PA who was previously a buggy horse with no under saddle training. After taking care of physical issues (so yes, we’ve ruled out pain, it’s likely just muscle memory from harness work) we are working well on the lunge and working on balance under saddle. What exercises have you found helps bring those heads down out of the clouds and those backs up? He’s shortish in the back and strong in the loin, but I find he gets sweaty in the neck and stifle area, but not up over his hindquarters when we work. I’ve lunged him in both a neck stretcher and a vienna rein, more success with the vienna rein than the elastic neck stretcher.

Would love some fresh ideas to help us through the winter!

[Obsidian_Fire]

Start from the ground, with carrot stretches (or whatever treat works for you). One trainer of mine recommended sliding side reins, they work well when used correctly.
Lots of ground work in a correct frame but make darn sure going forward correctly (can’t emphasize that enough).

It takes TIME… when you think you’ve spent enough time… spend some more…

Oh, and teach basic lateral work, because 99% of the time, getting the back up and the neck down is related to being too tight in the body. So teach them to step sideways and under and all those wonderful things.

[LilyandBaron]

I’ve got a Standardbred, and hacking out on gentle hills has been huge, as well as cavaletti. I did a bitting clinic that helped, too, way more than I expected! I also run my thumbs up the back of his hind quarters occasionally like my chiro suggested for belly lifts. There’s lots of walking, and lots of patience, praising each attempt in the right direction. I also use long lines, with the outside line under his tail/over his hocks. My guy isn’t just high headed, but his legs push way out behind, so tilting the pelvis to get the hind legs under enables his back to lift/neck to stretch. So teaching lateral in small bursts with turn on forehand steps, shoulder fore, etc., also helps. The change is very rewarding, but lots and lots of patience!!!

[Suspiria]

I have had luck with two super ewe necked horses using a real redneck lunging set up where i use a pair of polo wraps velcroed (or knotted) to the bit, between the front legs, and up over the back. The only “happy place” is neck down. I’ve known quite a few horses that didn’t “get” side reins but using this set up was a light bulb for them. I wouldn’t use it on a naturally downhill or front-heavy horse, but it’s great for a horse that wants to live above the bit.

If you want to pay $54 for a piece of rope, here’s the non-redneck version:
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ho-lungeing-aid/p/22171/

[Rerider54]

1+ on carrot stretches and working in hand so the horse knows what you are asking. You might want to try a chambon while on the lunge. Fit it loose at first. The biggest thing is to remember how much time the horse spent with its head up and plan on at least that much time to undo the problem. I mean, patience and calmness. Lateral work helps the horse loosen the back once the resistance is gone from the neck.

Also so take some photos because once you get the horse working correctly over his back the muscles will change so much you might not recognize how much he has changed.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

Thank you all!! He’s incredibly flexible (I’ll take some photos next time I do carrot stretches, he can easily touch his hip with his nose without discomfort or “cheating”) but I will focus on some lateral work in hand and at the walk under saddle. He definitely is used to keeping his body straight during work, so that I need to focus on bending the ribs. He’s also fairly short through the back and tight in the loin, so all the more reason to really concentrate on lateral work. He’s a bit of a klutz, but we will persevere with ground poles and cavaletti to help him figure it all out! :lol: Plus we just moved to a new farm that has lovely rolling hay fields we can hack around (or walk in hand when I’m feeling chicken) that I have been walking him out after our in/hand or lunge work. I always do in hand work in a bridle with a dressage whip to keep those hind legs chugging along. It’s a good workout for me too!!

Anyone have some good resources for lateral work in-hand exercises? I’m trying to balance the repetition with enough variation to keep boredom at bay!

[Rerider54]

My sister got me “Horse Training in hand: a modern guide to working from the ground” by Ellen Schutho- Lesmeister and Kip Mistral. I used bits from it when my horse was only able to do hand walking at the start of her rehab. Lots of great photos.

[kcmel]

I have a DHH cross. He always had good basics (uphill, good use of HQ, etc.) but getting him to stretch into contact has taken a lot of time. Strengthening and lateral work as others have suggested, and patience! I got him as a 4 year old and he’s finally figuring it out in his 7 yo year. Good luck! My guy has definitely been worth the wait.