Irishcobs
Well-Known Member
I have done a quick search and couldn't find any posts that suggest headshaking could be caused by ulcers but thought I would ask anyway.
So background. Horse is 8yr old Belgian draught x. I've had her 4 years. She has always been a bit sensitive in the mouth, doesn't like tongue pressure, hates poll pressure etc.
For the first 3 years she did mainly hacking/hunting etc so not much schooling. She had a hock op August 2011, came back in to work Feb 2012 and started working properly. This was when the headshaking really started. Teeth/back/saddle all regularly checked. All sorts of bits/nosebands were tried. She was better in a tongue saver but too strong to jump in this.
She would only headshake if held up, so if walking down hill she would start or if a contact was taken. By headshake I mean she bobs her head up and down very fast, like a nose flick.
The vet came out to do vaccs and teeth (she gets sedated) and had a good look for me as I mentioned the headshaking and said her front molars were very worn down and she wondered if this was causing it, maybe the nerves were exposed. She talked me through a plan we could go down to see if we could find the cause but was keen for me to keep on as I was and see if I can work her though it. I've just dug out my old dentist bills and found out she had bit seats done when I first got her aged 4. So am wondering if this is the cause? Could the bit seats be too deep, exposing the nerves?
But thinking when tacking up today, she isn't brilliant to tack up, she fidgets to put the saddle on and doesn't like the bit being put in, unless she hears the lorry running and stands stock still as she knows she's going to a party. She is fine to have a hackamore put on. She is fine to girth though.
She also isn't fab to mount, as soon as your foot is in the she is off, bouncing. Once on she will bounce for 3-4 strides then walk normally. If you then check your girth or go to do it up, she will jog. You can stop her and do it or I just do it jogging, not really thinking it's a problem.
I took her hunting on Tuesday so had lots of headshaking, when holding her back etc. She then was used to escort a baby for little walks on Weds and Thurs so was ridden in a hackamore (her mouth wasn't sore but she was very strong so didn't want this to be an excuse) she was fine in this. Then hacked quietly on Fri in a plastic straight bar, which she did headshake in.
She then had the weekend off and I rode her yesterday in her normal french link full cheek and again today. Both times when leading her to the mounting block and when stood about to get on, she was badly headshaking but stopped once I was on. She has never done this before but both times we were hacking with others and they were already on and walking away.
I'm at a bit of a loss really, I'm thinking of trying her on some ulcer stuff to see if this helps (it can't hurt can it?) but was looking for some opinions.
I'm sure I've missed some information out but will try to answer any questions.
So background. Horse is 8yr old Belgian draught x. I've had her 4 years. She has always been a bit sensitive in the mouth, doesn't like tongue pressure, hates poll pressure etc.
For the first 3 years she did mainly hacking/hunting etc so not much schooling. She had a hock op August 2011, came back in to work Feb 2012 and started working properly. This was when the headshaking really started. Teeth/back/saddle all regularly checked. All sorts of bits/nosebands were tried. She was better in a tongue saver but too strong to jump in this.
She would only headshake if held up, so if walking down hill she would start or if a contact was taken. By headshake I mean she bobs her head up and down very fast, like a nose flick.
The vet came out to do vaccs and teeth (she gets sedated) and had a good look for me as I mentioned the headshaking and said her front molars were very worn down and she wondered if this was causing it, maybe the nerves were exposed. She talked me through a plan we could go down to see if we could find the cause but was keen for me to keep on as I was and see if I can work her though it. I've just dug out my old dentist bills and found out she had bit seats done when I first got her aged 4. So am wondering if this is the cause? Could the bit seats be too deep, exposing the nerves?
But thinking when tacking up today, she isn't brilliant to tack up, she fidgets to put the saddle on and doesn't like the bit being put in, unless she hears the lorry running and stands stock still as she knows she's going to a party. She is fine to have a hackamore put on. She is fine to girth though.
She also isn't fab to mount, as soon as your foot is in the she is off, bouncing. Once on she will bounce for 3-4 strides then walk normally. If you then check your girth or go to do it up, she will jog. You can stop her and do it or I just do it jogging, not really thinking it's a problem.
I took her hunting on Tuesday so had lots of headshaking, when holding her back etc. She then was used to escort a baby for little walks on Weds and Thurs so was ridden in a hackamore (her mouth wasn't sore but she was very strong so didn't want this to be an excuse) she was fine in this. Then hacked quietly on Fri in a plastic straight bar, which she did headshake in.
She then had the weekend off and I rode her yesterday in her normal french link full cheek and again today. Both times when leading her to the mounting block and when stood about to get on, she was badly headshaking but stopped once I was on. She has never done this before but both times we were hacking with others and they were already on and walking away.
I'm at a bit of a loss really, I'm thinking of trying her on some ulcer stuff to see if this helps (it can't hurt can it?) but was looking for some opinions.
I'm sure I've missed some information out but will try to answer any questions.