Sometimes people look at my pictures and comment "how do you get your horse to tuck it's head in?" or "How can I make my horse tuck it's head in?" or" how can I go about getting a horse to tuck their head in"? The secret is that it's not about the head at all! Getting a horse to put their head in this position is sometimes called a "headset", however "headset" is a very deceiving term. Getting a horse to tuck it's head in isn't about head at all, it's about the spine and the impulsion and from behind.
Many people try to get their horse to tuck it's head in by just holding the reins, I however, this creates a false headset, one that usually uncomfortable for a horse and very clearly incorrect to most judges. training your horse to adopt a headset- or what is properly referred to as getting your horse "on the bit" or "on the vertical" usually takes a professional trainer, especially if you are an novice or beginner rider. Working with a trainer they will teach you how to ask your horse to arch their back and push with their hind legs as they move. When a horse's back is arched and it is moving forward light on the forehand and correct in the back and arched through the neck, all it takes to achieve this look is letting the horse relax it's head- not tuck the nose. It has little to do with the reins, although contact is needed, but internally getting horse on the bit is all about getting your horse to arch the back and relax at the throatlatch. If this is a new concept for you consider finding a trainer to help need to teach your horse to "tuck it's nose in".
