Another QH question for those in the know - how do get all those horses to keep their heads so low all the time? Do they live tied down??
I show aqha as well and have done some usef. My trainer was one of the ones that placed in the junior working hunter with david, whom I have to say was so cute when he cried winning the class :).
The good horses naturally want to carry their heads lower. And are taught to go long and low by teaching them to give a certain points in their body and drive with their hind end. My current horse I spend more time elevating his head than asking it to lower, and he has never even had a martingale on him. My prior horse preferred to go more elevated in a usef fashion, but if asked would stretch down and into the bridle lower. But moved better elevared slightly
[QUOTE=handwalk;8394910]
Another QH question for those in the know - how do get all those horses to keep their heads so low all the time? Do they live tied down??[/QUOTE]
The QH neck ties into the shoulder generally lower than the Warmbloods, so a more level frame is built into a lot of QHs. The GOOD riders understand how to ride back to front, and drive rear legs underneath, elevating the shoulders, which naturally allows the neck to lower and the horse to travel so slowly. The NOT GOOD riders ride the front end, pull, use draw reins, spurs to lift, and whatnot, and are the subject of all the negative threads on COTH. I see many more good riders this year. You will see mostly good riders at the World Show, and mostly correct horses as the judges follow the rulebook at this show.
I lesson with a USEF trainer, but have to do the QH frame in Hunter Hack rail. So my horse will go with a higher USEF head carriage when I do not ask otherwise, or lower to level (not built to go much lower as he is a Skys Blue Boy) from my hip angle and legs wrapping around his heart girth area to lift, compact and round up with a lower neck. I can get his head down by his knees at the walk and jog from leg pressure alone, no rein pull.
[QUOTE=ToTheNines;8394329]
So happy for Dave. TOLD you that was a nice horse! (in the other thread I guess). I’ve seen it in person, and it glides.[/QUOTE]
And I told you he has THE best jackets! :lol:
[QUOTE=handwalk;8394910]
Another QH question for those in the know - how do get all those horses to keep their heads so low all the time? Do they live tied down??[/QUOTE]
No. Training, conformation, and aids. A pleasure horse is built for pleasure, just as grand prix jumpers are built for the grand prix.
Yes, bad trainers use bad gadgets (every breed has them, including USHJA).
My current horse I spend more time elevating his head than asking it to lower, and he has never even had a martingale on him.
It’s like I wrote this myself. LOL! My AQHA is the same way. I always get asked by non-horsey people “why does he walk with his head so low?” I have to ask him to lift his head for flat classes b/c anytime else he likes to go low.
I call this his “quarter horse pose” b/c he likes to stand like they do in their win pictures. I think he secretly wishes I would take him to a breed show (maybe one day, buddy)
http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv237/BBMcGee31/miloheadshot_zps7de8cf35.jpg
Here’s a good example of how he likes to walk around:
http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv237/BBMcGee31/Milo%20walk_zpssej5lqf1.jpg
Here’s a low trot pic. This is from a couple of years ago. We elevate a little more for USEF now.
http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv237/BBMcGee31/Milo_zpskhlidyrm.jpg
Not sure if it was this thread or another one that I mentioned this in, but he is by Art I Sweet.
Bumping this up to post USEF/AQHA judge Steve Wall’s commentary on winner of Ammy Eq Over Fences, and the video of the interview and winning run in Flat Eq.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;8405754]
Bumping this up to post USEF/AQHA judge Steve Wall’s commentary on winner of Ammy Eq Over Fences, and the video of the interview and winning run in Flat Eq.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JFQQoNfFX8
I’m so happy for Sarah! All the Elders are wonderful; I feel privileged to have gotten to know them over the years. And Calvin is a super cool, very laid-back (and HUGE!) horse.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;8395822]
The QH neck ties into the shoulder generally lower than the Warmbloods, so a more level frame is built into a lot of QHs. The GOOD riders understand how to ride back to front, and drive rear legs underneath, elevating the shoulders, which naturally allows the neck to lower and the horse to travel so slowly. The NOT GOOD riders ride the front end, pull, use draw reins, spurs to lift, and whatnot, and are the subject of all the negative threads on COTH. I see many more good riders this year. You will see mostly good riders at the World Show, and mostly correct horses as the judges follow the rulebook at this show.
I lesson with a USEF trainer, but have to do the QH frame in Hunter Hack rail. So my horse will go with a higher USEF head carriage when I do not ask otherwise, or lower to level (not built to go much lower as he is a Skys Blue Boy) from my hip angle and legs wrapping around his heart girth area to lift, compact and round up with a lower neck. I can get his head down by his knees at the walk and jog from leg pressure alone, no rein pull.
Can’t see the pic, and I would like to as my horse is a Skys Blue Boy as well.
