Does this sound like teeth?

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fidgeuk

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My horse has over the past 10/14 days has developed a problem where he tilts his head to the left and looks to the left - this has been happening in the school and whilst out hacking.

He is very reluctant to bend to the right. I've had his saddle checked over twice & on both occassions have been told its a great fit - they have seen me ride in it and appeared to be very thorough. I'm inclined to discount his saddle as being the problem.

I'm trying to get the dentist out & it looks like the end of the month is the quickest my usual lady can manage it so considering getting the vet out. He was last done in june 2010 - is that too long between visits? he is 6 this year.

When trying to school him yesterday he was really resisiting on the right rein and felt extremely heavy in my right hand, even when working on the left rein. So i got off & gave lungeing a go. He was very good, very responsive but again wasn't happy on the right rein (lunge line clipped to bit) but not as bad as when ridden.

Do you think this sounds like teeth or more a back problem - i haven't even considered his back because he is not lame nor does he object when i do up his girth or get on him.

Any thoughts or should i just get the vet out?

cheers

sarah
 
I do not understand why you do not consider asking your vet to come out. My horse had a very sudden onset of a neurological problem and only a vet would have been able to deal with it.
 
Does sound like teeth to me, which is a much more likely reason that a sudden onset neurological condition!

IME vets + teeth = rubbish, personally I'd either find another well recommended EDT or give him some time off if he's not happy to potter until she comes
 
Could be either teeth or back...or both.

Due to his age, I'd get a second opinion on his teeth, some horse dentists are better than others it has to be said and changes could of happened since you last had him looked at anyway.

Also for extra peice of mind I'd have his back looked at, your saddle may of been checked and double checked but again saddles fitters are not always right, you also have to consider that some horses are just more tolerant than others so just because he's not displaying any reason not to have his saddle on, doesn't mean to say there isn't a niggle there that the saddle is causing.

Also, it may well be that your saddle does fit, but all it takes is for them to loon around in the field and pull something, so getting his back checked and treated would be a good idea.

If neither solve the problem, then yes have the vet to look, you may need to contact your vet first for a back person to come out anyway.
 
Thanks for your replies.

He's overdue having his teeth done - & i'm totally to blame for this but the lady who does his teeth has been busy & the earliest i've been able to book her is the 7/8 June.

Just trying my vet now but he's just started a new equine vet practice & is out of my area but hes the best vet i've come across so would willing pay extra for the visit - i see from his new website that he's studying dentistry so could be a good move if hes prepared to travel to me.

Otherwise i give him some time off until June.

If he's still the same after having his teeth done then i'll see about getting his back and saddle checked.

thanks again
 
He could have Tushes coming through. Have a look at the gum between his front and back teeth and see if there are any pink or white spots there. If the gum changes colour it could be them coming thru.
 
Def try teeth and maybe a chiropractor just to give him a once over. It sounds like a back / neck / stiffness problem to me. He might have tweaked something in the field or got cast or something. Worth checking it out just in case IMO
 
Jack had his teeth done by the Vet on Tuesday. Also had his back checked by the vet and he watched him trotting up etc but could find nothing wrong.

I rode him in the school today and to be honest not much has changed, hes still tilting his head, is heavy in my right hand but having said that he was bending to the right with more ease. Do you think he still thinks his teeth hurt?

Do you think this could be attitude? Yesterday and today he has completely taken the mickey out of me. He's barged pass me and careered around the yard, YO's house & garden with me huffing & puffing behind him, made me look a total idiot and seemed very pleased with himself. Then even though i was looking out for it happening again today he managed to get away from me and was cavorting around like some sort of ballerina!! So it was a case of get the douley (sp) headcollar out & he behaved like a lamb.

I'm arranging for the saddle fitter to come out next week & will see what happens with that as discussed with my vet, If nothing comes from that will get my vet out again.

Thanks for reading

Sarah
 
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