The Drop-Head Cue

Watch as Julie Goodnight shows you how to teach your horse the drop-head cue from the saddle.

From a standstill, shorten one rein a bit, life that hand slightly to apply light pressure to your horse’s mouth, then just wait. You’ll feel tempted to increase the pressure to get a response–but don’t. Apply just enough pressure that your horse begins to look for a way out of it.

Then, the instant he drops his head even slightly, release the rein entirely and praise him lavishly. Don’t worry if he moves about a little while you’re working on this; just focus on the head dropping and release whenever he complies. As before, the first few inches will be challenging, so be patient. Once your horse figures it out, he’ll begin to respond quickly and willingly.

Then practice the drop-head cue frequently on an ongoing basis, especially any time your horse becomes tense or fearful.

Share
Related Articles
image-1
Navigating Water Crossings on the Trail
image-1
Gear Prep for a Comfortable Trail Ride
HR_23WIN_Inspired Rider_Kelly-Altschwager
Rerouting into the Wild
Julie Goodnight trail riding with her horse.
Hit the Road With Peace of Mind
Newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

Receive news and promotions for Horse & Rider and other Equine Network offers.
Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.