So, I'm starting western/English pleasure on my QH and I was wondering what exercises to help train him to keep his head low, he already keeps collected but with a high neck, he is "half arab" but I just don't see it, I was thinking mabye thats why he rounds his neck, i know he can keep his head low he sometimes does it when I ask but over time rounds his neck. p.s. I use a English D ring saddle bit. without weighted reins

I don't pretend to know anything about western riding, but in dressage there is a test excersize to show that your horse reaches down towards the bit.

Cadence Farms said:
I don't pretend to know anything about western riding, but in dressage there is a test excersize to show that your horse reaches down towards the bit.

Basically it is long and low training.

Since you're using an english bit, this might work for you.

There are lots of articles on it. Here is one: https://stridesforsuccess.com/long-and-low/

Ty for the article, I will try the methods listed tomorrow and see how he reacts.

I found with all the horses I have worked with that lateral flexion is your best friend. As your horse gets more flexible and light laterally, they will get more light vertically. Start at a stand still, and over time as they get good at being light collected ask for them to walk circles with the correct bend and eventually ask them to give vertically at a walk by adding contact with both reins and adding leg to keep them driving up under themselves. As soon as they give you their face, reward them by going them a loose rein. Over time they will learn to maintain that collection and headset. Also, without knowing what your horse looks like, it is important to note that some horses are not conformationally capable of carrying their heads low. Since he is half-arab, he will probably naturally keep his head higher. While you can still train him to keep himself collected, it is important to note that he will likely never travel comfortably like a full wp bred quarter horse.

Both of these are valid. Depends on the horse. Some prefer lateral to long and low, buy for WP i would say long and low