Head Shaker?

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Uniique

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I have owned my 11hh pony for four years now. Ever since we have had him he begins to shake his head up and down starting early spring. He does not do it at all in the winter. He only does it under with tack on and he does it when ridden and when in his driving harness (we are breaking him to harness this year). Its not very volient but he will shake his head up and down once or a few times then stop and do it again in a couple of minutes.
I never contributed it to head shaking, but having given it some thought when walking around the gallops long reining him, it could be a possiblity. Any opinons?
Thanks Sam
 
I have a horse very simlar. But we think it's a nervous thing or when she is excited, or it could be the bit being too small or painful in the mouth.

Her mother head shaked, and her farther was a total nut case, so like mine it could be helped and reduced, but not cured.

I recently tried mine in a french link hanging cheek as the other bits I had seemed to cause her discomfort, and now she has reduced the head shaking though she still does it alittle.

Hope this helps. Am welcome to discuss this more :)
 
Hiya. He only has a small flexi rubber mouth snaffle in, as i orginally thought it was the bit. I cant but anything soften in! lol.
But good advice. If it was excitable, nervous i would have thought he would od it all year round but he only does it in the summer months.
x x
 
I have a head shaker - and it was only resolved by ditching the bit altogether and I now ride solely in a Parelli hackamore (and have no handling issues at all - lovely ride). But that's not very practical for driving though.

Some things to think about from my experience - I'm sure you're right on top of them all - but worthwhile checking.

Might be a pollen thing - if it only in the spring - so antihistamines?

Might be irritation in his mouth from buttercups (if they are out down with you yet) or from tough hay or something else like tough foggage - worthwhile getting in there and looking for any abrasions or redness around where the bit sits - check the roof of his mouth as well. At 11hh you may have to wrestle him to the floor!

Might be that the rubber bit it too big for him - a thinner metal bit (non snaffle) may be better fit

Rubber bits are not as nice as most people think - check them for wires sticking out or for worn bits. Also they can be "dry" so coat in a little runny honey to make them moist and acceptable. Check the corners of his mouth for chafing.

If he hasn't shed his coat yet it may be pressure under the bridle path - the bulk of hair - I cut a bridle path on my driving pony ( you can see Bramble here http://www.4hooves.co.uk.) I always cut a small bridle path when he has his winter coat in.

Hope that is useful.
 
There are a number of different options, depending on what is the trigger/triggers. If it's pollen then antihistamines can help. Ask your vet for the dose but from memory for our boy the dose was about 10 piriton a day (he's a giant Irish TB). Our boy also reacts to sunshine and a flymask helps in early summer. Have just ordered a Guardian Facemask from the US (has the equivalent of sunglasses in it!) as once the sun gets higher in the sky the headshaking gets worse. He does it in the field, not just ridden, and it's pitiful to watch. If it's ridden only try a nose net - this makes a huge difference to lots of horses.
 
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