CCK:

Actually forcing a branch to the horizontal induces and encourages formation of fruiting spurs/buds.

Yes, the tree will try to push growth "upwards" ( because it wants to be a tree and not a fence) these shoots can be pruned down to 2-3 inches and they will convert to fruiting spurs/buds.

Mike

So prune them off now or when?

See this:
Training and Pruning your home orchard
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw400.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Training and Pruning your home orchard

A 90 degree angle from the trunk does encourage a lot of vertical secondary branching. Somewhere around 60 degrees should be the goal during training. Not sure what your situation is.

Bend them down or prune them off now, at your option. It is not too late to get your verticals to develop some fruit buds for next year if you bend them down right away using weights or whatever.