Conference noted::equitation

    Some horses develop head tossing as a habit, just like any of the
    many bad habits they seem to get into.  I had one that had a very
    short neck and you had to watch that you didn't get smashed in the
    face when she threw her head.  Try some time of tie down, maybe
    a standing or running martingale, starting out with it very loose
    so he doesn't panic and go over.
    
    Good luck

    
    I first would have him checked to make sure there isn't something
    physically wrong -- like teeth problems or gum problems or a sore back.
    (Lots of head problems are due to physical problems, not just the horse
    being a jerk.  But sometimes its the horse being difficult.)
    
    Then I would probably lunge him until he is relaxed.  Then get on him. 
    
    Mary Jo_who_has_been_bashed_in_the_face_more_than_once
    

    My present horse suffered terribly from this problem when I got
    her a year ago. I discovered the cause was impatience and she had
    never been taught to stand quietly. I fixed the problem by tyeing
    her with a single rope[no cross-ties]  every evening for 1/2 hour
    before dinner. If she fussed I would give the command STAND and
    I praised her profusly if she stood quitely without pulling on the
    rope. After about 3 weeks tyeing was no longer required and if she
    forgot herself and started tossing again I just say stand, and she
    relaxes again. The rope was tyed a wither level  with 1 1/2 feet
    of slack, just enough that she couldn't get her foot over it. The
    first couple times she really tried to pull the barn down or break
    the halter. If you try this make she the halter can't break.
    

    re:- My thoughts exactly...always look for physical before you blame
    them for misbehavior.
    
    Look at his teeth, watch how he eats. Check the bit, maybe try a
    diff. bit of the same type. Could the bridle be dry and tight, causing
    to much pinch at the mouth...try it a bit looser, or maybe just
    in halter in an enclosed area. Check under the saddle for areas that
    could be pinching or stabbing. 
    You may find it is mental frustration from sitting idle and a build-up
    of energy.
    
    My horse was a head tosser. After finding nothing phys., and determined
    he would do it just on the way home, I would have my right hand
    ready to pop him between the ears with my palm every time that head came up.
    He thinks twice now before trying it.
                                      
    

	I agree with .5, that if its not a physical problem, then
	its definitely impatience and/or protesting.   Often if
	a horse is out of shape, they'll protest this way (particularly
	when standing).  

	I'd recommend keeping a firm resistance in your reins
	whenever your horse tosses his head - and definitely don't
	let the reins go slack.  If you're consistent and adapt
	quickly enough with your hands (soft when he's good, resistent
	when he tosses), you might make some ground that way.  When
	you resist with your hands, be sure to use an equal amount
	of leg aids, to keep him from backing up.

	If he's slightly out of condition or not used to 'working'
	yet, then I wouldn't worry about it too much.   But at some
	point, if he's still not improving, then you could try
	using draw reins.   As was already said, you'll need help
	with them if you've never used them before.   I'd keep this
	as a last resort, only because you said your horse tosses
	only when he stands, and using draw reins could possibly
	make him feel so confined that he might try to rear to escape
	them.
	
	No one in this note said this, but often I've heard people
	say that a head tossers and/or 'rein snatcher' is caused by a rider
	with rough hands.   I think the opposite is generally true.  I 
	think most head tossers and/or rein snatchers learn to toss their
	heads or snatch the reins because their riders hands are too 
	inconsitently light. Your reins should always be elastic, and you 
	should not let the horse take advantage	of an 'escape exit'.  	
	
	Good luck.

	Melinda

    My mare is a head tosser and resists any strong training methods, but
    this has worked wonders.  At the beginning of our workout I ride her on
    a loose rein until she relaxs and is ready to work.  Taking contact is
    her signal that its time to get serious.  Now if she is being fussy and
    reluctant she'll start bouncing her head.  I use a number of
    techniques- wiggling the bit, circling to get her mind occupied,
    working the reins alittle more forcefully,  if she hasn't stopped with
    these type of exercises, I press my hands into her shoulders, so that
    she is pulling against herself and not wearing me down.  I continue
    with flatwork and she'll toss until she is bored no more than a half
    dozen times and then go back to working.  Before I started this, she
    made me timid with the tossing and she knew it.  If I don't show
    resistance then she gives.

    Hmmm..........some interesting tips here. I will try them out this
    week and report back, thanks! I hesitate to use draw reins, I have
    used them on others and am familiar with them, but I am concerned
    about having them on while in motion, as he has let out a few good
    bucks on me, and attempted to rear...I don't want to risk going
    over backwards or of him panicking. Perhaps after I have worked
    with him for a month or so he will be more settled, and if the 
    head tossing is still a problem I could give them a try. Thanks
    everyone!
    
    Linda
    

    Another physical area to check is his ears. Pinching bridles and 
    itching in or around the ears can cause head tossing. 

	You got some very good suggestions here - don't give up!  My horse
was a head tosser when I first purchased him and he has completely
recovered - thanks to dressage work!  But I can remember how frustrating 
it was and how much patience I had to muster.  With my horse, head tossing
was an outlet when he was upset or resistant.  He also used to enjoy tossing
on the cross ties when I used chain cross ties - what a racket - he loved it.
Now with soft cotton ties, he has stopped this, also.

Good luck,

	Janice Bennett

    Another thought that might work is a broken snaffel, like a dr.
    bristol bit.
    
    Rail is the KING of head tossing and he does it both standing and
    moving.  he's better about it when trotting or cantering, but really
    deadly at the walk when he's impatient.  my arms and back have
    developed stiff muscles because of this irritating habit.  
    
    however, we have actually made some progress (he's 18 and has
    had this habit for many years.  I think I was the first person
    to seriously approach changing this habit when I bought him
    at 17.).  Both a pelham bit with double reins (no converter...
    that just made him madder) and a broken snaffel have produced
    improvement.  I wouldnt consider riding without some type
    of martingale.  I typically dont use a running martingale because
    if i'm not exceptionally careful with my hands I tug on his
    mouth too much and get worse than if I had no martingale at
    all.
    
    right now he's doing it much less with a dr. bristo bit and a
    standing martingale.  I do put latex on the bit as well.  now
    we only fight when he's trying to show me who the *real* boss
    is......
    
    good luck to you!  
    
    jan
    
    ps.  i also had his teeth checked and they didnt find anything physical
    that would cause this problem.  however, since he's an older horse
    he has the usual creakiness.  since we put him on vitamin e and
    selenium, he's been alot quieter in general.

    
    And is a Dr Bristo snaffle the kind with double joints?? He is now
    in a smooth, single jointed full cheek snaffle which fits nicely,
    and his tack seems to be fine on him, nothing appears to pinch
    anywhere.  The owner did say he was given a complete health check
    my a prospective buyer about 2 months ago and passed fine (the 
    buyer backed out because she found something a bit older that she
    liked ). I will try a standing martingale, and see how that goes,
    and will let everyone know! Thanks!
    
    Linda
    
    

    a dr. bristol bit does indeed have two joints that are connected
    to a flat tag.  it varies as to whether the tag sits up against
    the tongue or lies flat.  mine lies flat on the tongue.
    
    I found that, for the most part, patience is what really accomplishes
    the most.
    
    jan
    
    
    

    Well, Hi everyone! I tried a standing martingale this past weekend
    on this 4 year old TB, it went fairly well once he discovered that
    it was there every single time he tossed his head up. He did not
    particularly like it at first, but I think it will work out well
    for his problem. I appreciate all the suggestions! Hopefully he
    will settle down a bit now!
    
    Linda