How do you fix a horse that tosses its head while being ridden?

Head tossing while being ridden is a problem that Clinton Anderson identifies as having multiple possible causes, and he is specific that identifying the correct cause is the essential first step — because the correction for a pain-based head toss is the opposite of the correction for an evasion-based head toss. The first check is always physical. A horse that suddenly starts head tossing when it did not before should be evaluated for dental problems, bit fit issues, poll soreness, neck discomfort, and saddle fit problems before any training correction is applied. A horse that is head tossing because something hurts will get worse with training pressure, not better. Anderson recommends ruling out pain completely before proceeding with any behavioral correction. If physical causes are ruled out, Anderson's behavioral correction depends on what the head tossing is accomplishing for the horse. A horse that tosses its head to evade rein contact — that has learned tossing up gets a release from the rider's hands — needs a rider who maintains soft, consistent contact through the toss rather than releasing when the head goes up. Releasing when the head tosses rewards the toss. Maintaining contact through the toss and releasing when the head comes back to a normal position teaches the horse that tossing is not effective. Pat Parelli addresses head tossing within his framework of the horse's emotional and physical balance. He notes that many horses learn to toss their heads as a response to confusing bit signals — a rider whose hands are inconsistent creates confusion, and the horse's head toss is an attempt to find clarity in the rein communication. Developing steadier, more consistent hand position often resolves head tossing that has no physical cause, because the horse no longer needs to seek clarity through movement.