Head shaking?

[Connie Princess]

Hi,

I'm new to posting but not new to the forum and wondered if I could pick the collective brain?!

I have a new pony who is wonderful in all ways (not that I'm biased) but she is a head shaker. She wasn't when I tried her but she is now. I mostly hack and she is normally OK at the start of a ride but by the end she is throwing her head about quite a bit. In trot she does it far less, presumably because she is busier. Tonight I got off because she was throwing her head around and walked her back in hand. She didn't head shake at all whilst I led her back...

I know that causes can vary from pollen to light or nerve issues etc, but can anyone give me an idea of an action plan to rule things out based on that behavioural pattern? I've never seen her do it in the field or stable. She is ridden in a double jointed, full cheek, snaffle with just a simple caveson noseband. This is the same bit I tried her in although a different bridle and obviously a different pair of hands at the end of the reins! Her teeth were done just before she came to me but I'm happy to get them checked again if needed, I just don't want her to be uncomfortable especially as she is utterly wonderful otherwise and such a sweetheart ?

If anyone can suggest a hierarchy of things to try then that would he amazing, thank you!

 

[Red-1]

Are you sure it is head shaking as opposed to head tossing?

Head tossing is common in a young, unfit horse when it gets tired and a bit sore. They tend to grow out of it. It can still be quite violent.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Not sure if you username is connie as in connemara but if it is teeth and a bit lady would be my first check. I have a connie who used to head toss and she had a fractured tooth. I also struggled with finding a bit as she (and connies in general) has a very fleshy tongue so not much room for a bit. This is where a bit person was really handy!

I think she does have a bit of pollen sensitivity also so I also have a nose net for riding in and she gets mag ox all year round and nettle powder in spring/summer. Now my mare only tosses her head when she’s in a strop.
Included a link below so you can see what our headshaking was like.

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[ycbm]

How much have you changed the bridle? From or to a Micklem type , noseband type, tight browband, etc could all have an impact.
.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I would definitely get a qualified vet or tooth person as soon as possible. My preference is for my vet as my experience has taught me that he knows what he is doing, does a first class float and is better than anyone else I have used in recent years. My horse I bought last year had apparently only just had his teeth done. His reaction to taking up the contact was not good whichever bit I tried him in - a bit of everything really from head tossing to chomping to tongue evasion.

When my vet examined him he estimated it was at least 3 years since his teeth had been done, some mouth ulcers, one crooked tooth permanently gouging into his cheek and all the usual sharp hooks and misalignment. I gave him a week off as it had been quite a long and painful process rectifying his teeth. One week later I put him in a simple little eggbutt myler style low port bit and he was like a new horse, easy on the aids, working into the bit, no head tossing and generally being a very nice horse to ride.

 

[Connie Princess]

Thank you for all your comments-

She is definitely young in terms of her education and unfit, so head tossing may well be correct and would fit with not doing it in hand. I'll try to get a video to see if anyone has thoughts after seeing it rather than my description!

She has definitely had her teeth done, I've seen photos and we got her from a seller who became a friend and who has only ever been spot on with her descriptions and histories etc. Doesn't mean that something dental isn't going on though so I will get the vet out for a look.

Bridle isn't much different to what she had previously, more ergonomic over the crown/headpiece and more padded noseband but essentially it is the same. The buckles are pretty much in line with her eyes etc.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[ycbm]

Do check your browband length, so many bridles have one that is too short and it pulls the headpiece onto the ears.
.

 

[Red-1]

Thank you for all your comments-

She is definitely young in terms of her education and unfit, so head tossing may well be correct and would fit with not doing it in hand. I'll try to get a video to see if anyone has thoughts after seeing it rather than my description!


Thanks again for your help!

It did sound more like head tossing from your description, which is good news as it will stop when she gets stronger. Meanwhile, I would take the work back a bit, then gradually increase the workload and don't fight with the tossing. They only do it because their muscles ache, but it can become a whole new thing if, not only do their muscles ache, but you also try to pull them into some fixed outline which will make them ache more.

 

[be positive]

It did sound more like head tossing from your description, which is good news as it will stop when she gets stronger. Meanwhile, I would take the work back a bit, then gradually increase the workload and don't fight with the tossing. They only do it because their muscles ache, but it can become a whole new thing if, not only do their muscles ache, but you also try to pull them into some fixed outline which will make them ache more.

Also remember discomfort can be further back than where the reaction seems to be so get her saddle checked as she may well be changing shape, I had one that shook his head in a classic headshaking way that was caused by him being in a saddle that was too narrow, in my care he went up 3 widths over a period of a year as he muscled up.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Lots of good info here especially on diet
https://www.calmhealthyhorses.com/neuro/head_flick.html