Head Tossing. Not shaking, but tossing :s

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JessandCharlie

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So I'm wondering what could be causing this. When riding the new boy (who is lovely by the way, getting on great :D) he tosses his head when in walk, and sometimes trot, but not when doing faster work. All I can liken it to is him trying to get rid of flies, but there aren't any. His saddle needs checking (saddler on holiday so got another coming in a couple of days) so it could be discomfort there, although I *think* it's ok, although not perfect, I don't think it's making him sore.

I am using the same bit, bridle etc as old owner, and I don't recall him doing it when I went to see him. (Or at least it is minimal)

So do we think it's a schooling issue, bitting issue, tack issue, change in environment, all of the above, none of the above etc? It's not bad, and it's not worrying me. I don't think he's a headshaker as it's just not like that. (if that makes sense) but would like some of the HHO's worldly insight :p

Thanks all,
Fresh coffee for those that get this far :D
 
Yes, he doesn't yank but it is like he's trying to get at the reins. I'm not heavy handed by the way, in fact I'm the opposite :) It seems like when he's thinking more he stops, jumping, canter work or trickier trot work he doesn't do it.
 
If you take a soft contact, perhaps he feels more confident with a stronger contact as that's what he's been used to in the past? Maybe try riding him up together a bit more? I would also get teeth checked. My mare started this only a couple of months after the vet did her teeth, I got a well recommended dentist out and he found she had v sharp edges on her back teeth. Made a big difference!
 
I think he might just be having you on; wanting his own way or being a bit cheeky and playful.

I wouldnt worry if he stops doing it when hes actually working, sounds like hes just quite playful and likes you to give him a job :)
 
Could be a case of trying to get the reins longer, If he doesn't do it in canter, jumping etc, it could be because when horses go up a gait they bring their head in more and shorten up. Thus, meaning the reins aren't as uncomfortable as they would be in walk?
Could be clutching at straws here, but might be an idea? :)
 
Opposite to everyone else.. A friend has a horse that was always ridden on a tight contact. When you ride with a looser contact she head tosses like she's trying to find you.
 
Once all the essentials are checked (teeth, bit, back, saddle etc) it's probably just a habit. I had a cob who would do it when 'bored'. It was basically a form of rein snatching, then she'd just play with it.

Getting elastic rein inserts can help. It meant I could keep a more constant contact when she was messing about, and it eventually stopped.
 
He's not part arab is he?

My mare tosses her head alot, no health/pain problems, just an arab thing.

My friend told me that arab's have 'lose' brains and if they come out of place, they toss their heads to shake their brain back into position! ;) :p Needless to say I told her that she was mean and probably jealous. :rolleyes:

On a serious note, rule out problems with teeth, back, saddle, bridle (try a comfort headpiece), noseband (I've known horses that hate flashes), bit (borrow a low level myler as I've never known a horse hate that, although there's always a first!) or eye/ear/nose/throat pain.
 
Archie did this and I believe there were two or three contributing factors, one was his bit was just a little too snug and also he seemed to do it if he got tired, particuarly on the way back from a ride. Lastly, I removed his noseband. Taking all into consideration and acting the problem seems to have resolved itself, pretty much. I may get the odd toss but I think this is him relaxing his neck and winding down.
 
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Thanks all! Will try my bridle with the comfort headpiece (tried taking flash off and no difference, but will probably leave it off anyway) and have a play with bits, maybe something wider in case it's a little snug. Saddle fitter coming on thursday and will get teeth and back checked (was going to anyway). I think he may be trying to see how much he can get away with, he's very playful and maybe needs more to do with his brain or he gets bored. I agree that a firmer contact will probably help too, my awful habit is letting my reins get too long :S
 
Mine does it through habit. He only does it when he's not concentrating. The vet said it could be treated by giving him a hayfever tablet a day as it's the same nerve that effects the head tossing as allergies. Never tried it though as it doesn't bother me so much.
 
Daisy used to do this occassionally if you hacked on a loose rein, it was like she was playing with it. Bizarrely enough she didn't do it if I rode her with a fly mask on.
 
xRobyn said:
Opposite to everyone else.. A friend has a horse that was always ridden on a tight contact. When you ride with a looser contact she head tosses like she's trying to find you.
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Totally agree with this.
When i bought him i was told he liked a long rein but the head tossing drove me mad.
I tried all usual - tack, teeth, fly masks and of course giving him the rein.

A new insrtructor suggested he may like firmer contact (security) - it worked, he still does it but only occassionally - when bored or losing concentration - we now push him on when he does it and he stops. x
 
Dizz does the same thing!

At walk, and when first starting work, she'll wave her head about especially at the walk, unless she's in a workmanlike mood (now that doesn't happen too often lol). Once working properly she has a pretty steady head carriage.

We've done the teeth, back, saddle 'till we're blue in the face! Changed everything, including her bit. The bit change was the biggest factor. In the Myler she always wanted to rub the side of her mouth, now she's back in the straight fulmer Happy Mouth, she's a whole lot better. I was considering field ornament after one hack - bouncing sideways down the road, trying to rear on a hill, bucking (first time ever!) on a motorway bridge; she didn't try to get me off, but she wasn't happy!

My vet reckons that some of what she does now is habit.

When we work now, I take up a firmer contact and will have a discussion with her. She seems to want to almost argue for a few minutes, but then once she realises that isn't going to get her anywhere, she settles down and chills :). Also found that using the Pessoa helped a lot - it didn't argue back and she very quickly kept a chilled and steady head carriage :)
 
He's not part arab is he?

My mare tosses her head alot, no health/pain problems, just an arab thing.

My friend told me that arab's have 'lose' brains and if they come out of place, they toss their heads to shake their brain back into position! ;) :p
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Ha ha, yep, my chap's half arab and does this. I put it down to him doing some sort of display because he does it a lot to his reflection in the mirror in the school when he's not ridden and having a run around. In fact, he does it more when he isn't ridden and it's often followed by a little galumph.

He also does it when we're nearly at home at the end of a hack – I put that one down to naughtiness.:rolleyes:
 
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