Another galloping issue

[benrolo]

Following on from the previous post about the horse suddenly changing direction when galloping, my horse can sometimes shake his head, I came off last week because of it, I think it's excitement, we had done a fair bit of galloping in the previous week (lots more than normal), he doesn't do it going up hill but this was on a stubble field which was flat, he got faster and faster and would normally run out of steam (he's not very fit) but every so often the head shaking happens, I don't think he bucks and he is not trying to get me off, he slows as he knows he's lost me and then looks as if to say why are you down there (I've had him 5 years), he will also do it at a canter if I try to slow him down to stop him going into a gallop, he's always been in a snaffle, hates a flash - he just shakes his head to try to get rid of it. Any ideas, he's 11 but he's had me since he was 6 and I'm rubbish - just a happy hacker.

 

[bex1984]

I'm probably not much use because I don't know much about anything, but is it a jointed bit? If so, maybe when you're asking him to slow down the nutcracker action is coming into effect and he's not comfortable? Please somebody correct me if I'm talking rubbish (highly likely...)

 

[amandathepanda]

I think you are right in that it is excitment. My 21 year old Anglo-arab has always done it & I've had him since he was 6! the best thing I can suggest is to aim to keep him calm & maybe have a few lessons to work on your own glue (work without stirrups, sorry!) if you are just a happy hacker so that when you do start to go faster you find it easier to cope with his excitment.