Hey Everyone.
I recently purchased a horse to use for my competitions and she's a nice moving thoroughbred but when asking her to go into her canter she throws her head.
She doesn't throw it the entire time just when we start off and then she goes along great.
Do any of you have suggestions or training tips that can help me get her to stop?

I would have her checked out by either a vet or a chiro. She may be having some discomfort issues while engaging into the canter. If all checks out well by vet or chiro, then I would suggest putting her in either a running martingale or standing martingale. You can then collect the reins, get her going into a nice frame, then ask for the canter and keep her head down by the collection of your reins. It really doesn't sound like a training issue, but more of a pain issue.

Thanks FancyHorse
I'm actually having my Vet out tomorrow to do shots and coggins so i'll have her look her over then, and let you know what she says..

My Vet came out today and she said she is pretty sure its a behavioral issue

Ok, well as long as all pain is ruled out. Another thing you can do is work on round pen work with side reins. You can get a sirenge and attach side reins to it to keep her head down and pratice trot canter transitions in the round pen without you on her. This will keep her from raising her head up while engaging into the canter.

Just make sure you don't put it too tight at first, until she gets used to it.

HI,
Another thing you could try while riding are draw reins in addition to your regular reins. Run the draw reins (you can use a set of western split reins if you don't have draw reins) from your hands through the bit going in towards your horses face then attach them to your girth just under your saddle on either side of your horse like side reins. Hold the draw reins between your ring and little finger (where you would hold your regular reins), and hold your regular reins outside your little finger. This way you can regulate the length of your draw reins without compromising control. Start out with them loose and then gradually tighten as needed.
Also, try asking for the transition in a large circle instead of a straight line.
Good luck, let me know how it goes!

The draw reins sound like a good idea, but i worked with a few horses that had this same problem and what i always did that worked is when they would throw their head i would put my reins a little lower and "see-saw" them (apply squeezing pressure from one the the other alternately) and the horse should respond very well to this. it may take a while, but if you are consistant you should see results.

thanks for all of your suggestions, i think i'm going to try the draw reins .. sounds like the kind of help i need

ill definately keep you all updated on how shes doing

thanks again!

Unless you are fairly experienced, I stay away from the draw reins. If you want to use something, a running martingale is much bettr. It stays out of the horse's way when his head is where it should be, and only engages when he puts his head up. And then there's an immediate release when his head goes down. With draw reins, you really should be able to use the regular reins and the draw reins independently.
My suggestion would be to use the running martingale and practice lots of trot-canter, canter-trot transitions. Usually throwing the head up at the transition shows a lack of impulsion. Do a posting trot, down to a sitting trot with impulsion, and then to a canter. Make sure you aren't getting ahead of the horse when asking to canter, but staying a bit behind the motion. JMO.

I've been using a standing martingale the last week, and have seen a drastic improvement. Not only has she stopped throwing her head, but she is more in my hands as well.
thanks for all your help=)