Horse keeps putting head down while riding

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Horse keeps putting head down while riding Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-05-19 8:37 AM 23 replies, 6851 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


Bibliafarm Reg. Jul 2008	Posted 2014-05-18 11:42 AM Subject: RE: Horse keeps putting head down while riding
Warmblood with Wings Posts: 27846 Location: Florida..	something isnt right with him.. he isnt working long and low and stretching .. if so hed be able to come up and work correctly to. he goes down and is aggrevated.. tail swishy and something clearly is bothering him.. Edited by Bibliafarm 2014-05-18 11:45 AM
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RunninOnARooster Reg. Nov 2006	Posted 2014-05-18 2:28 PM Subject: RE: Horse keeps putting head down while riding
Expert Posts: 1410 Location: Peach State	The vet will be out to check one of our mares this week so I may get him to have a 2nd look (different vet than did his vet check) The ONLY reason I have doubts about it being soreness instead of attitude is because he only does this when I have worked him in that pen at home. He doesnt do it when Im loping in the pasture (even in circles) he didnt have any issues when I was working cattle on him at a local team roping either. We had his teeth looked at and he will be needing them done within this year but the vet said that obviously just maintenance nothing looked like he needed urgent care, we didnt have xrays done because he wasnt showing any signs of lamness then, like I have said before he's green broke and only ever trail rode or herded cattle in a pasture, never really had anybody ask much of him so Im not sure if hes just sore from being rode hard these last couple of weeks when that is not his norm or if hes got stifle/hock issues. IF ONLY THEY COULD JUST TALK GEESH!!!!
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Southtxponygirl Reg. Nov 2006	Posted 2014-05-18 2:40 PM Subject: RE: Horse keeps putting head down while riding
A Somebody to Everybody Posts: 41354 Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas	RunninOnARooster - 2014-05-18 2:28 PM The vet will be out to check one of our mares this week so I may get him to have a 2nd look (different vet than did his vet check) The ONLY reason I have doubts about it being soreness instead of attitude is because he only does this when I have worked him in that pen at home. He doesnt do it when Im loping in the pasture (even in circles) he didnt have any issues when I was working cattle on him at a local team roping either. We had his teeth looked at and he will be needing them done within this year but the vet said that obviously just maintenance nothing looked like he needed urgent care, we didnt have xrays done because he wasnt showing any signs of lamness then, like I have said before he's green broke and only ever trail rode or herded cattle in a pasture, never really had anybody ask much of him so Im not sure if hes just sore from being rode hard these last couple of weeks when that is not his norm or if hes got stifle/hock issues. IF ONLY THEY COULD JUST TALK GEESH!!!! I would think if hes sore from being riden more in the last two weeks then what he's use to, then I would be looking at saddle fit for sure. I know that you said that your riding in a treeless and that could be a problem if hes getting riden harder.
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Canchasr1 Reg. Oct 2003	Posted 2014-05-19 8:37 AM Subject: RE: Horse keeps putting head down while riding
Special Somebody Posts: 3951 Location: Finally horseback again....	Honeymoney - 2014-05-18 11:18 AM I think having his teeth done and using a German Martingale would help tremendously. Teeth and feet are the two most important parts of regular horse maintenance. Check for lower 6 ramps When horses are ramped up on the lower 6's ( first molars) They will tend to root their head down or pull on your hands. The reason is simple, when you ask a horse to collect or stop, their lower jaw must slide back and when they put their head down to graze it slides forward. If they are ramped up on the first lower molar, they put pressure on those teeth when they are asked to collect or stop. Hence, keeping the head down and low, rooting on the bit or pulling on your hands. It could be any of the things anyone else stated, but I would check his mouth first. How old is the horse? I noticed you are saying colt. If he is 2 1/2 to three he may also have some caps stuck. Edited by Canchasr1 2014-05-19 8:40 AM
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