seoirse
Well-Known Member
So exasperated with my horses head tossing! Has anyone experienced any thing similar?
He's always had a bit of a tendancy to it, but doesn't do it these days when I school him, or do dressage tests, basically in any non exciting environment, i.e a hack down the lane and the like. However as soon as we get revved up to jump, especially XC, or hack out in a group and have a canter together he really starts to head toss dreadfully. It's straight up and down, rather than side to side and I've nearly had a nosebleed a couple of times. As I said he's always done it but its getting worse as I think he is just developing it as an evasive tactic. He's quite strong but not unstoppale and not the sort to tank off, he's just keen, I used to hack and jump in a Kimblewick as he did go through a phase of being really quite strong when I started introducing him to more serious XC and hacking but lots of schooling has improved that and the Kimblewick got too strong for him, which was nice! I school him in a hanging cheek snaffle but can't manage him hacking and XC in that as he leans. So I hack him now in a 3 ring french link gag, so I can move the reins up onto the bit ring if its not going to be too exciting and down a ring if it is! He seems to go fairly well in this but the head tossing is dreadful in canter and approaching a fence even though he isn't pulling and I'm not having to hang onto his mouth. I've ordered some bit rings as I wondered if it was pinching as he's used to a kimblewick and a hanging cheek rather than a loose ring mouthpiece. They have not arrived yet though I don't think it will make any difference as it is something he's always had a tendancy to, though I'd rather put them on and just rule it out. He throws his head so violently sometimes that both his front legs come off the floor, and whilst he is a super jumper and very bold and keen this is not good when riding into a fence!!
I've got a lesson on 17th so going to talk to my instructor about it. It's frustrating as he goes so nicely in the school. He strained a tendon sprinng 2009 so I've only been jumping him for the last 3-4 weeks as its taken a long time for his tendon to heal. Prior to the tendon strain he did head toss a bit but not as bad as now, it seems to be getting worse as he gets fitter and I do more with him!
There is nothing wrong, his saddle, back and teeth are all ok. No-one can find anything wrong with him. He is as I said, quite opinionated and very lively though he doesnt tend to get hot headed though I think this head tossing is excitement.
Any ideas or thoughts anyone may have would be really great. I am on a lovely yard but most people are fairly inexperienced or kids or happy hackers, so there is no-one who can really help me there!
Sorry for the essay but thought I better give a bit of background.
Many thanks.
He's always had a bit of a tendancy to it, but doesn't do it these days when I school him, or do dressage tests, basically in any non exciting environment, i.e a hack down the lane and the like. However as soon as we get revved up to jump, especially XC, or hack out in a group and have a canter together he really starts to head toss dreadfully. It's straight up and down, rather than side to side and I've nearly had a nosebleed a couple of times. As I said he's always done it but its getting worse as I think he is just developing it as an evasive tactic. He's quite strong but not unstoppale and not the sort to tank off, he's just keen, I used to hack and jump in a Kimblewick as he did go through a phase of being really quite strong when I started introducing him to more serious XC and hacking but lots of schooling has improved that and the Kimblewick got too strong for him, which was nice! I school him in a hanging cheek snaffle but can't manage him hacking and XC in that as he leans. So I hack him now in a 3 ring french link gag, so I can move the reins up onto the bit ring if its not going to be too exciting and down a ring if it is! He seems to go fairly well in this but the head tossing is dreadful in canter and approaching a fence even though he isn't pulling and I'm not having to hang onto his mouth. I've ordered some bit rings as I wondered if it was pinching as he's used to a kimblewick and a hanging cheek rather than a loose ring mouthpiece. They have not arrived yet though I don't think it will make any difference as it is something he's always had a tendancy to, though I'd rather put them on and just rule it out. He throws his head so violently sometimes that both his front legs come off the floor, and whilst he is a super jumper and very bold and keen this is not good when riding into a fence!!
I've got a lesson on 17th so going to talk to my instructor about it. It's frustrating as he goes so nicely in the school. He strained a tendon sprinng 2009 so I've only been jumping him for the last 3-4 weeks as its taken a long time for his tendon to heal. Prior to the tendon strain he did head toss a bit but not as bad as now, it seems to be getting worse as he gets fitter and I do more with him!
There is nothing wrong, his saddle, back and teeth are all ok. No-one can find anything wrong with him. He is as I said, quite opinionated and very lively though he doesnt tend to get hot headed though I think this head tossing is excitement.
Any ideas or thoughts anyone may have would be really great. I am on a lovely yard but most people are fairly inexperienced or kids or happy hackers, so there is no-one who can really help me there!
Sorry for the essay but thought I better give a bit of background.
Many thanks.