putting head down

[Vicky&Beenie]

this should really go in horse help but i seem to get more replies in this section because more people go on it!
i have a horse called johnny. he is an ex-racer and he used to be ridden in a snaffle then i changed it to a dutch gag because i found him quite strong when i started riding him. i put him on the second ring and he went lovely so i then put him on the snaffle ring and he went lovely. however he was fine to control but he kept putting his head down now and again, right down to the florr. i let him stop and have scratch on his leg but that wasnt it. and he also does it on the big ring. i thought that acted just like a snaffle? is he putting his head down because of the bit? if so what bit should i use? im going to ride him in a hanging cheek snaffle. is that a good idea?

thanks

[megnum]

Not sure but he may just be "trying it on" and wants to avoid work, this is just an idea but it could be the case as I have had horses that have done it to get their head and then wandered off kind of thing so maybe just try and push him through it but get more advice as I am probably wrong knowing me

[Vicky&Beenie]

i dont think you are wrong! but when he does do it he seems to be working as usual, he doesnt seem to be trying to avoid work. its strange really, he didnt do it in the snaffle

[june]

Horses often punch into the rein for the little release they get at the end of it. Make sure you always have the feeling of pushing the hand forward, rather than pulling it backwards. Once you are sure you aren't pulling then try having one rein slightly shorter than the other and a loose contact. When he goes to put his head down that will cause his nose to tip slightly so his eyes won't be horizontal on the horizon. Horses don't seem to like that and it should help to break the habit.

[dreamchaser]

When you are properly working a horse in an outline they need to take a break and stretch through their topline. Is it his way of saying I need to stretch? If you are comfortable, why not try working him with his head stretched low. It has brilliant results on his muscle and topline.

[sarahfox]

It generally means one of two things ime,either they have tensions through their neck/back and find it hard to carry themselves,or they are trying objecting to the bit.Either way what they are doing is trying to get relief from the bit holding them up.
Could you ride in a halter/dually? if he doesnt do it in that I would say it is the bit he is objecting to rather than the head carriage,in which case you would be well placed to get a bitting expert to look at him or at least have a chat with somebody at the bit bank and see what mouthpieces they recommend you try.
Ponypiy posted some very interesting info on emilys thread last night about the action of the gag on different rings,also gemma has posted a thread all about different bits and their actions on the main board tonight.