Head shaking owners-your help is needed

TheCurlyPony

TheCurlyPony

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 November 2008
Messages
672
Visit site
Hi do any of you have any video clips of your horses head shaking? Do they do it in the field or when been led or just when you ride? Are the worse when you hack rather than in the arena. I could really do with some as im not sure weather mine is headshaking or not. He doesnt shake but he pulls the reins stretches down and put his head back up. It has got worse over the last few days. He did do it last spring but it got better and hardly did it. Ive recently moved yards were there is a lot of oil seed about could it be that? Any help would be greatly recieved. He only does it when ridden. He has a very very thick coat and is itchy.
 
Hey, IMO it would be an idea to try to rule out all the possible causes, ie is he in any pain, discomfort, or has a genuine reason to shake his head ( like the things youve mentioned) or is he just being cheeky and trying to evade the bit.

Also does the bit fit ok? ive know a horse that shook his head casue the bit was rattly in his mouth.

A youngster im riding started doing it a few days ago, everytime he did he got a firm no and kept contact with him. He eventualy learned he was getting no where fast doing it and it stopped just as soon as it started. It may be a harder habit to break if hes been doing it a while tho.

:)
 
Thanks for reply. Deep down i dont think he is a true headshaker but im not sure what else to try tbh. His teeth are done every six months and is due in may but did this before his teeth were done. All other checks are fine. Im just at a loss. Im going to try a nose net to try and rule that out.
 
CurlyWurly123 said:
Thanks for reply. Deep down i dont think he is a true headshaker but im not sure what else to try tbh. His teeth are done every six months and is due in may but did this before his teeth were done. All other checks are fine. Im just at a loss. Im going to try a nose net to try and rule that out.
Click to expand...


Is it more of a snatching movement he does? rather than a full blow shake?
Have you tried training it out of him? rewarding him when he deosnt do it (usualy giving him his mouth a little more will work) and saying a firm *no* when he does (and making your contact firmer). It will be tedious at first but he'l get the idea!

If He has been doing it for a while (snatching that is) it may be because of where his muscles have developed, and this is where he prefers to hold his head, and snatches to get it down there. in which case lounging him into a correct and balanced outline.

Sorry if youve done all this already, just trying to think what i would do. :o
 
He is ridden with a light contact and a fairly long rein. You could ride him on the buckle end and he still would snatch. Mm
 
My mare headshakes....only when ridden (or thats when I notice it!); it seems to be the bright light that starts her off, although she seems to have an allergy to rape pollen and doesnt like midges much either!!!

I use a nose net with her....but a white one doesnt work....it has to be black or brown!

It helps 85% I would say....sometimes, if she shakes her head for a different reason, she flaps the net off her nose, and then she is awful, so I would say that was proof that hers works. She has her teeth done as often as the EDT recommends (every 6/9 months), has nothing wrong with her back and I am fairly sure she isnt in any other pain....I have had her just short of 10 years, so I am sure if she was in pain, something would have come to light by now!!!!
 
Hi folks, my 4yr old has started headshaking the last few days for no apparent reason (when ridden or lunged) he is ridden in a full cheek snaffle with cavesson comfort bridle he does this even if i ride with my reins at the buckle. his teeth were done last week and im sure his saddle fits (doesnt show any signs of discomfort when going up / down hills / bending etc and have lunged him without saddle and still headshakes. dont know if its relevent but this past couple of weeks he has been incredibly itchy all over. any info would be VERY much appreciated
cheers kerry :)
 
To Kerry and OP;
Could it be flies? Lots of horses shake their heads when they have flies around, so maybe get a nose net? Worked wonders on a livery at my old stables! :)

As for the itching - has he ever had sweet itch or anything? Maybe he could be allergic? Moulting, sweating? Or sometimes I've heard having to much sugar or starch or something in their diet could make them itch. If I were you I'd groom him thoroughly with elbow grease and a rubber curry comb several times and then polish off with a body brush (dandy if he lives out), to help rule out loose hair etc. Or you could try a feeding supplement. I've heard lots of good things about the Dodson and Horrell Itch Free one, and the NAF D-Itch. He might also need to be bathed on a really warm day with something like hibi scrub. Is it in a specific area, and is he having dry and flaky skin? That's all I can offer really! Hope it gets better! :) xx
 
Last edited:
If it turns out to be pollen/flies try tights, those nose nets flap about and cause more aggro and are stupidly expensive, this works well for us in spring/summer and is cheap, 5 for £1.50 from Asda.

DSC00007.jpg
 
thanks for the advice, I will try get in touch with a back specialist just to be on the safe side.

voiletstrip - there doesnt seem to be many flies about our yard (some when hacking not really a problem down in the school), he is always thoroughly groomed ever day & tack cleaned etc. his winter coat is almost completely out now but he does have a fair bit of dandruff (which was there even when winter coat was still in) but weather not been good enough to wash with hibiscrub etc and have ruled out sweat (went on a 20 minute walk with a girl on the yard last night whos horse just back in work after injury and he was still doing it. I havent had him for long but he did have small lumps over his back, flanks and belly (vet advised either fly bites or protein lumps) but these seem to be going away. will try your suggestions and keep you both posted
cheers :)
 
Hello,
My horse head shakes in the field when not ridden when led and when ridden. SHe is better in the school but this is quite open. She is worse on tree lined paths and better on the moors.
When she headshakes when riden it is a jerk and almost feels like a mini buck
 
kerry1323 said:
Hi folks, my 4yr old has started headshaking the last few days for no apparent reason (when ridden or lunged) he is ridden in a full cheek snaffle with cavesson comfort bridle he does this even if i ride with my reins at the buckle. his teeth were done last week and im sure his saddle fits (doesnt show any signs of discomfort when going up / down hills / bending etc and have lunged him without saddle and still headshakes. dont know if its relevent but this past couple of weeks he has been incredibly itchy all over. any info would be VERY much appreciated
cheers kerry :)
Click to expand...


In this case I'd get a 2nd opinion on the teeth/dental work. I usually think that if a problem starts just after there's been a change of any kind, the first place to start investigations is with what has changed.
 
Pedantic said:
If it turns out to be pollen/flies try tights, those nose nets flap about and cause more aggro and are stupidly expensive, this works well for us in spring/summer and is cheap, 5 for £1.50 from Asda.

DSC00007.jpg
Click to expand...

I have just bought a packet of tights and not sure how to adapt them for the horse. I can see a bit from your picture but can you please write explanation of how you do it as I can't quite see enough. Thanks so much. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top