Head shaking

[millyspaniel]

My TB mare who is 4yrs old tends to shake her head up and down when she gets fustrated or when she dosent want to do something - usually when am in the school. She throws her head so high that i can see the top of her nose. Some days she is worse than others - on extreme days she throws her whole body (jumps forward with her head) into it. I have had her teeth done and her tack and back checked and everythings okay. On a hack she dosent tend to do it, sometimes though on the way back she will have a little head shake but nothing major. Last week i had a lesson and we did some jumping, which she seemed to enjoy untill the end of the lesson and she wanted to finish up and go home so she started the mini rears and the head tossing. I have been advised by my RI to tighten up her martingale and we are going to see how she is tomorrow on my lesson.
Does anyone else have this problem and / or do you have any tips?
Thanks

 

[Ginny24]

Are you sure its just when she doesn't want to do work??
You say some days are worse than others.... what else changes?? The weather, pollen count, sun etc. ??
Are you pushing her too far, going too fast or is your riding 'wrong'* ??
* No offense!! I mean some horses will happily ignore what more sensitive souls feel very much

Just making sure everythings been considered before you tighten the martingale (aren't instructors meant to show you how to correct both horse and rider without gadgets??)

Best of luck

 

[unicornleather]

Most common cause of a head shaker that is over looked is the front (browband) being too short and pulling the headpiece of the bridle up onto the back of their ears and irritating them.
Make sure you can get at least 2 fingers, no less, underneath it when in place on your horse, if you can at least that is one thing you can cross off you list,hope this helps,Oz

 

[millyspaniel]

Thanks for your replys

xginnyx -
Yeah its definitly linked to when she gets fustrated or when she finds something difficult, when she struggles with something i keep calm and talk to her and she normally settles, but sometimes shes just impossible and i have to stop riding her. Shes perfect on a hack.
I have lessons every week, more for her sake really - am very gentle with my hands and have had years of experience riding and used to do abit of teaching myself

unicornleather:
I will double check this tomorrow - thanks

 

[helenhorse]

then again it could simple be HER way off saying enoughs enough, im not doing it any more....she must feel head tossing is the best way to get what she wants, or evade something. seen as you have had her teeth and back checked etc, again, it could well be just a way of objecting, shortening the martingale could potentially help, maybe a thick sheepskin noseband?? or a standing martingale which prevents her tossing above a certain level? little things like grabbing her attention i.e turning tight circle and leg yeilding( if she can)...serpentines, rein back, grid work...etc could help stop her.................maybe lol

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
Most common cause of a head shaker that is over looked is the front (browband) being too short and pulling the headpiece of the bridle up onto the back of their ears and irritating them.
Make sure you can get at least 2 fingers, no less, underneath it when in place on your horse, if you can at least that is one thing you can cross off you list,hope this helps,Oz

[/ QUOTE ]

This is so true Unicorn Leather - and often overlooked when people say they have checked their tack to eliminate it as a possible cause of a problem. It can happen that a horse is fine when it starts working but begins to have issues when it becomes warmer/sweatier - anything that rubs can irritate more then.

 

[dwi]

Have you tried different bits? Daisy can be really flappy in some bits and fine in others.

 

[millyspaniel]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried different bits? Daisy can be really flappy in some bits and fine in others.

[/ QUOTE ]

She is being ridden in an eggbut snaffle, i may try her with a loose ring one, can anyone suggest any other bits which may help?
Thanks

 

[brucea]

Milly - I think I read soemwhere in this string of posts you are using a snaffle

It is pitched as a gentle bit, but in reality probably the most unkind bit to use in anything but incredibly skilled riding hands. Snafles have a nutcracker action and if you put your fingers into the roof of your horse's mouth you should check for tender sore areas in the palate - likewise check for tender sore areas in the tongue where it can get crushed against tha bars of the mouth or incisors. This may be a cause of your headshaking.

Think about riding without a bit for a while - in a light soft rope headcollar with minimal rein contact - this will let you iknow for sure if it is the bit or the bridle.

Pay attention to your balance - even though we don't think we do, most riders use the reins for balance myuch more than they think they do. This has an effect on the mouth, jaws, neck, chest, hollowing the back and causing widespread discomfort.

The obsession wiht "must have an outline" is one of the worst sins that we have inflicted on horses - becuase most horses who look as if they are in an "outline" are simply having their head hauled in and are hollow, and uncomfortable in the back. They are escaping as best as they can, form the unfair pressure in the riders hands. A true outline starts with the muscles of the abdomen, chest and back - not wit hthe head being hauled in

So unwittingly you may be imposing quite a bit of discomfort

I'm not writing this to make you feel bad - this is just a lesson from practical experience of having owned and retrained two headshkers - both fully vet examined, the problem was wiht the bit and the riding.

Dump the martingale - and dump the flash - it will only aggravate the problem in the long run

Hope you make some progress - headshaking can be so distressing.some progress with her, she sounds lovely

P.S. If you must use a bit then consider the Myler comfort snaffle - it has no nutcracker action and the sides move independantly - a number of people have borrowed mine (I have 4) and found they get on well with them. Also check your current bit for wear/sharp edges, worn off coating, nipping in the rings- sure you have but best to make sure. Also the Elevator Bridles are an innovative design that remove presssure from round the ears and poll - that may help too.

 

[Echo Bravo]

you say,you have lessons are they in a menage, what surface is it could be dust related. Or the lessons are longer than she can tolerate. I was always taught to end on a good note for both horse and rider.