Somehow I must have missed your original post but from the
things you mention in answer to the "why" I thought I would offer my
thoughts.
All of the things you mention are symptoms of a horse who is
not going forward into and seeking the bit. In my dressage lessons, I must have
worked for well over a year to learn to maintain contact and communication
through the reins with my horse. For me, remembering to drive her forward
from the rear and using the reins to encourage her to seek the bit willingly was
the key. When the horse relaxes and moves forward from the rear, you can
actually feel the back round and come up and the head drop as the horse flexes
at the poll. Trying to achieve a particular "set" is going at it backwards from
my perspective. I don't know your level of riding, but I would suggest finding a
really good, sensitive instructor and investing time in learning to walk. It
paid off immensely for me.
Why try to set his
head? Because he rides with his head so high up he bonks you in the nose
every step. Because when he has his head up he hallows his back.
Because with their head up that high there is less control. Because I want my
horse to be well balanced and healthy.
Of course he was allowed rest
times. This is a horse that can go 8 hours a day and not get tired mind
you. Not some school horse that is never ridden more than an hour at a time at
the walk. I wasn't forcing his head between his knees, or holding the
reins so tight he couldn't move his head any were he wanted. They were just
there for encouragement.
First off, why would you want to "set" the horse's
head? Secondly, I'd not even consider riding in draw reins for that
length of time. Was the horse allowed numerous rest periods where he
could stretch?
You are likely correct that the tiredness is due
to enforcing a different carriage than the
usual.
