littlemare_
Well-Known Member
Looking to see if anyone has any similar experiences or thoughts.
A few weeks ago my horse started head shaking when ridden, both vertically tossing and the ‘electric shock’ type flick typical of head shakers.
A week before this he fell over onto his face. It wasn’t dramatic and he got himself up quickly. I gave him a week off but seemed happy and sound. This could be unrelated but seems coincidental.
I had the vet out who’s gave him a general exam including looking at teeth (annual check also was only recently, which was by an equine dentist under sedation). We then x-rayed the head and neck which showed nothing of concern.
Vet perscribed a 2 week Bute trial as he thinks he may have hit the trimegial nerve when he fell, inflaming it. I am over a week in and he has showed some improvement but not 100%.
What is confusing is he is now very happy in a rubber Pelham, schooling beautifully with virtually no shakes. I usually only use this for faster hacks and jumping.
I usually school in a straight flexi eggbut and have done for years, but he is shaking a fair bit more with this bit. It is worse in canter and, possibly, intermittently triggered when I ask for left bend. I have throughly checked the bit and there is no damage. I use the same bridle and adjust accordingly. I feel he is also generally less willing to accept contact on this bit currently and attempting to run through it when I use my rein aid.
I do not think he is masking his pain in the Pelham simply because it’s a stronger bit. He is very sensitive and always lets you know if unhappy.
I feel there must be some reason for this but I have no idea what. Looking for things to think about or try before I catch up with my vet next week! First step is to borrow a different snaffle on the off chance something is wrong with mine.
Vet had said depending on outcome of bute trial we could try electro-acupuncture or do a CT scan… hoping it won’t come to that.
Thanks for any musings and merry Christmas!
A few weeks ago my horse started head shaking when ridden, both vertically tossing and the ‘electric shock’ type flick typical of head shakers.
A week before this he fell over onto his face. It wasn’t dramatic and he got himself up quickly. I gave him a week off but seemed happy and sound. This could be unrelated but seems coincidental.
I had the vet out who’s gave him a general exam including looking at teeth (annual check also was only recently, which was by an equine dentist under sedation). We then x-rayed the head and neck which showed nothing of concern.
Vet perscribed a 2 week Bute trial as he thinks he may have hit the trimegial nerve when he fell, inflaming it. I am over a week in and he has showed some improvement but not 100%.
What is confusing is he is now very happy in a rubber Pelham, schooling beautifully with virtually no shakes. I usually only use this for faster hacks and jumping.
I usually school in a straight flexi eggbut and have done for years, but he is shaking a fair bit more with this bit. It is worse in canter and, possibly, intermittently triggered when I ask for left bend. I have throughly checked the bit and there is no damage. I use the same bridle and adjust accordingly. I feel he is also generally less willing to accept contact on this bit currently and attempting to run through it when I use my rein aid.
I do not think he is masking his pain in the Pelham simply because it’s a stronger bit. He is very sensitive and always lets you know if unhappy.
I feel there must be some reason for this but I have no idea what. Looking for things to think about or try before I catch up with my vet next week! First step is to borrow a different snaffle on the off chance something is wrong with mine.
Vet had said depending on outcome of bute trial we could try electro-acupuncture or do a CT scan… hoping it won’t come to that.
Thanks for any musings and merry Christmas!