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YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Quarter horses have naturally lower head carriage.

My new horse has such high head carriage. What could be causing it? Is it something to worry about?

Horses can have or develop high head carriage for a number of reasons:

• Conformation: A horse whose neck naturally arches upwards is going to have a more uphill frame than a horse with a lower set neck. • Training practices: A showjumper, for example, is schooled to keep his weight back on his hindquarters so he can more easily lift his front end over the jumps. High head carriage in these horses is, thus, unlikely to be a problem. • Poor saddle fit: Poor saddle fit can cause a horse to lift his head and hollow his back to escape the discomfort caused by the saddle. • Learned behaviour: Over time, rough hands or an overly hard bit can lead a horse to become protective

Friesians have naturally high head carriage.

of his mouth. The horse learns, in these instances, that he can avoid the effect of the bit and the rider’s hands by lifting his head.

The good news is that these issues are either nothing to worry about or have solutions! The only bad news is for those with horses who have learnt to raise their head to avoid hard hands and harsh bits, as these horses can take a long time to trust the rider again.

Working through each issue in turn: • The conformation of a horse is not going to change, so working with the high head carriage is the best you can do! • Similarly, if your horse is a showjumper and uses his high head carriage to improve his jump, then you don’t need to change it. It’s just worth making sure that he isn’t running around hollow over his back all the time, as this can be hard on his spine and neck. • Saddle fit is also an easy issue to remedy (just sadly not always the cheapest). Call your saddle fitter and ask them to review the saddle your horse is wearing. If this is the issue, changing the saddle and having a physio out to help your horse get over the discomfort caused by the previous saddle should see the head gradually drop. • The most challenging cause of high head carriage is a horse being nervous about the bit or rider’s hands. In this instance, the first step should be to equip him with the softest bit required. Particularly if the bit is already soft, we would advise you to get out a bit fitter to ensure that the bit he is in is suitable for the anatomy of his mouth and doesn’t cause discomfort. Once you have established that your bit is suitable, you should work on flatwork patterns involving lots of bends, figure-eights and serpentines. Ride deeply into each corner, asking your horse to bend through his body. Press with your inside leg behind the girth so you have the sensation of pushing him into the outside rein. You should reward any softening by pushing your inside hand forwards towards his mouth and giving him the bit. This ‘give’ will encourage him to stretch forwards even more towards the bit, lowering his head carriage further. If you remain consistent and patient in this work and do not over-face him, he’ll ultimately learn to trust your hands and lower his head.

My horse is 18, and I want her to live as long as possible. What can I do now to set her up for many more healthy years to come?

It’s great to hear that you are already planning how to make her life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible in her later years! The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help her, even at this early stage. Admittedly, much of it is just basic routine horse care but with a slight twist to account for her older age. 1. Look after the teeth. Older horses need a complete dental examination done at least once a year, but ideally every six months. Older horses get periodontal disease, dental infections, fractures and other tooth issues at a high rate, and their ability to chew comfortably and efficiently is essential for them to digest their food well and remain in good condition. 2. Provide good nutrition. Make sure your horse has good quality forage and a balanced diet that meets their needs. Speak to an equine nutritionist to get a diet designed for your horse’s life stage. 3. Keep her moving. Keep your horse doing whatever movement she can comfortably manage and enjoy. If she can’t be ridden, still encourage her to engage in whatever light exercise she can manage. Consult your vet about the best exercise for your horse, but whatever you do, make sure your programme is slow and consistent. Older horses need small amounts of work frequently. They cannot just be ridden on weekends or worked sporadically. 4. Keep her feet in good shape. Keep your farrier visits as regular as they are now to ensure that your horse’s feet remain balanced and healthy. This is even more important with age, not less! 5. Watch out for Cushing’s Disease: Look out for a persistent winter coat, weight loss and increased drinking and urination, as these can be signs of Cushing’s Disease. Screening annually for this condition can allow you to catch it early and get your horse onto treatment if necessary. Cushing’s can affect the healing process and result in weakened muscle tissue, so an early diagnosis can really be beneficial.

Ultimately, diligent care makes the most significant difference to equine longevity and healthy ageing. Of course, the outcome for any particular horse also has to do with genetic factors, general health and even a bit of luck, but by preparing as you are, you give yourself and your mare the best chance of very many happy years together!