Head tossing/snatching while hacking?

J

Jingleballs

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Hmm, an old problem has resurfaced!

Pony is ridden in French link hanging cheek – he goes well in it, I have brakes 99% of the time.

Last summer I did loads of hacking as we didn’t have an arena – I noticed that pony had a habit of head tossing and snatching the reins - he only did it in walk and it was regardless of how much of a contact you took – (tried hacking on long rein vs. working him in an outline etc.)

Had his first couple of hack out last week – first one he was fine (other than running off because he was a bit fresh). Took him out again on Saturday – lot of slow hill work and for the whole hack he fussed with the bit, tossed his head etc – now this time he isn’t snatching the rein but is tucking his head under almost into and outline and then throwing his head up again. Contact was nice and light and I wasn’t asking anything of him.

The second I take him into the school he stops – this was the same last year!

I tried him in a bitless last year and it did stop the head tossing but his poll was very sore afterwards so we stopped using that.

I have no idea why he does this and he’s worse when I take him for wee pottery hacks when I’m not asking him to work.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why he’s doing this – back/saddle all up to date – he is due his 9 month check up with the dentist but not until April so I may bring this forward but since it’s an issue we’ve had before I don’t think it’s his mouth that’s bothering him.
 
One of mine does this when he doesn't want to go for a relaxed walk but wants a blast. He never does it when he's schooled only when you tell him that you only want him to walk when hacking out.
 
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One of mine does this when he doesn't want to go for a relaxed walk but wants a blast. He never does it when he's schooled only when you tell him that you only want him to walk when hacking out.

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We've got one just the same too. Enjoys her work and likes to busy bee about everywhere LOL. She is completely safe and sensible, she just likes to be getting on with things. She also sighs when her jockey is faffing about... We accept it as part of her character, there is no malice whatsoever.
 
One of mine does it only when and if there's another (ridden) horse in front of him - and distance apart doesn't matter. So if I ride him in company it's much easier for me if he's allowed to go in front - then we're absolutely fine unless he spots another horse and rider in the distance - when he'll usually start the head tossing again.

In his case, it's definitely him showing his frustration about not being allowed to be boss/be the one in front/lead horse etc.
 
My boy also does it out hacking, usually towards the end of the hack, I figure its when he has had enough. If you try to hold onto him he also does it so I keep a very light contact.
When schooling he does it occasionally put it down to him being green, sensitive, it has significantly decreased since I got him.
Wouldn't worry too much I just tend to ignore it.
 
My mare was bad at this so went bitless and she stopped. OH now rides her now and wanted a bit so use a william micklem bridle and she doest shake
 
Have you had a really good look (if you can) at the bars of your horses mouth, to make sure your bit is not causing any irritation/blistering.

Just something to double check.
 
Interesting that so many others do the same - and yes he is always worse towards the end of a hack.

I will have a look at his mouth to check for any blistering but I regularly keep an eye on this so I don't expect to find much!

Glad I'm not the only one who has to put up with this when all you want is a nice relaxing hack!
 
mine does it when he's not getting his own way. he's v fwd going and is born to run. on the days i mke him do a slow hack, he will toss his head about, all the more so on the way home if i slow him down. he's just having a horsey winge!
 
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