Head shaking/ ? linked to badly fitting saddle...

S

showaddy1

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 August 2011
Messages
499
Visit site
Bought little mare in March for daughter, shes a big shouldered, flat backed mare who came to me with a no make treeless saddle.
Second ride out, she would bob her head a little, when questioned her previous novice owner, she said she had always done it. Just thought Id fallen in love with a head shaker.
We then started riding her in our Falcon, only because it seemed to have a much better fit on her, and was reluctant to keep using the 'cheap' treeless due to so many bad reviews. Head shaking continued, more so on return to the yard... and not affected by heat/ flies.
Anyway, having recently lost my confidence, farmer friend suggested I used his western, which I did, and head shaking disappeared immediately!!
Needless to say, I obviously am left feeling very guilty, and looking for a saddle fitter...
Has anyone else experienced this?? Should I ask back lady to come before I purchase new saddle, or after?
 
I had a horse that was a long standing headshaker come into my yard, he was totally cured with a change of saddle and some physio, the cause was pressure on the side of the withers from a saddle which was too narrow, I would get the physio first as the mare may change shape fairly quickly if the saddle was pinching, if you can continue to use the western saddle for a short while it will give everything time to adjust.
 
I think it may be that there is a bit of pain causing headshaking elsewhere, but if the saddle is pinching also it makes a small ouchy into something to react to.

My horse becomes reactive to lots of things if his saddle is even just a bit off in fit.
 
My suggestion would be to have a chiropractor look over the horse as it sounds as if it may be uncomfortable. Head shaking can have many causes, poll out of alignment, or allergies.

A friends horse recently started the violently head shake, had the vets baffled despite them being told the horses had been larking about in the paddock and was seen to be kicked in the head by the other horse.

Whipping her head away from the hoof in a hurry had put the poll out, two chiropractor treatments later the horse is 100% head flick free.

Horses do such stupid things to themselves and we don't always see it happen. A visit from the chiro may be all this horse needs.

I've also been reading recently that increasing salt in the diet can help with head shakers if it is a high level of potassium problem - makes the horse drink more and flush the potassium out.
 
In my fittings I've found a few horses who only head shook when in the wrong saddle, once I've got a well fitting saddle on them it clears up. Have the back person first, I like to fit a horse that has no issues wherever possible :)
 
Hi there, I bought a horse three years ago, second ride out he wouldn't stop shaking his head half way round the ride, new saddle, no head shaking, his saddle didn't fit and I expect half way round the ride he was in pain. Hope this helps.
 
I would definately get her checked out by the physio. With head shaking it's a case of finding out what there trigger is and what you need to do to help them. It is entirely possible that the saddle is causing her to head shake but at the same time it is entirely possible that it could be something else. Google trigeminal neuralgia (horse) that is what headshaking is but its what's causing that pain you need to figure out. Good luck I hope it really is something as simple as a poor fitting saddle. If she only does it ridden it is a very good chance its that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top