Re: RC: Head drop

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

Judith...

I use the "drop your head cue" extensively.....both on the ground and
from the saddle.  As I'm sure you know, this is an automatic "calm down"
to a horse.  From the ground, it's simply a hand on the poll or tension
on the halter/bridle.  You need to teach both.  That way, if the horse
steps on his reins or lead line, he drops his head instead of pulling
away and breaking your bridle/reins or getting excited.

From the saddle, the best cue I have found is a "sawing motion" with the
reins.  Just "jiggle" the sides of the hack/bridle.  It's easy to teach
and you can use it with NO tension on the reins when the horse is
relaxed, or when he's really pulling on you (like at the start of an
Endurance Ride).  You can put his nose on the ground it you work at it. 
Very useful to teach "only eat on the trail when I cue you" or "Put your
nose in the creek, even if you don't drink".  You can use it at all
gaits.  I have tried some "variations" on this such as pressure on the
neck (where I could reach....about halfway down).  This also works, but
is a little more difficult to teach.  Sunny will do this, but I had to
teach it by gradually working backward from the poll.  For example,
press on the mane, then press on the poll.  Pretty soon he connects the
two, and you don't need to press on the poll first.  The problem is once
he drops his head, it's harder to reach the "pressure point" without
falling in the creek. <grin> I finally gave up on this, since it wasn't
accomplishing anything.

I would be interested in knowing why you were interested in a cue to do
this that "didn't involve reining" and what you plan to do with it. 
Maybe I'll learn something else to teach Sunny here! :)

Regards, Jim and Sun of dimanche

> Judith wrote:
> 
> I am interested in what kinds of prompts folks use from the saddle as
> a *Drop your head down* clue. I am esp. interested in clues that might
> not involve reining.
> 
> Judith