Help - Poll Pressure

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tricksibell85

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Hi All - looking for a bit of advice. My 5yo has been identified with a sore poll - he has had ongoing issues with his teeth as well. All being worked with professionals to correct.

I am looking at adding a poll protector on his bridle - ive had a look and don't know if I should be looking at gel or sheepskin? I am looking at anything which will help him become more comfortable in his head to prevent anymore soreness!

Thanks in advance!!
 
I haven't seen the gel ones first hand, and I would want to before committing to buy as I would want something really light.

I personally would go for a sheepskin poll guard, and change to a comfort headpiece if he is not wearing one already :)
 
Before treating the symptoms I would want to understand the cause of his sore poll............has he had a fall? is his browband too tight? is the headpiece not fitting correctly? are you using a bit that exerts poll pressure? is there mis-alignment of the lower jaw? is there an issue with the hyoid process? (physio/chiro and EDT should pick up on these last few. Treat the cause rather than the symptom!
 
gunnergundog said:
Before treating the symptoms I would want to understand the cause of his sore poll............has he had a fall? is his browband too tight? is the headpiece not fitting correctly? are you using a bit that exerts poll pressure? is there mis-alignment of the lower jaw? is there an issue with the hyoid process? (physio/chiro and EDT should pick up on these last few. Treat the cause rather than the symptom!
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To be fair OP has stated that all the above is being done :)
 
Gunnergundog - I have already said he has teeth problems which have more than likely caused him to have a sore poll. Both my vet and Physio are working to fix both the teeth and poll soreness.

I was asking to make sure I was doing all I cld to make sure he is as comfortable as possible.
 
tricksibell85 said:
Gunnergundog - I have already said he has teeth problems which have more than likely caused him to have a sore poll. Both my vet and Physio are working to fix both the teeth and poll soreness.

I was asking to make sure I was doing all I cld to make sure he is as comfortable as possible.
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More than likely or has caused? As I said before, get to the root cause and treat that. If you have professionals treating they will advise if any gizmos are necessary or whether a period off work is advisable surely.
 
I would like to just clarify - the poll is the top of the skull, it is the bony part between the ears. Are you being told that this bony part of the skull between the ears is sore? If so then you can rule out teeth and bit as this will have either come from a direct blow or pressure from ill fitting tack, both of which I know you will be on the case of. if a good bridle fits then it should never cause soreness here so you shouldn't need anything extra. If its from a direct blow then rest the horse until soreness gone then carry on.

If its the joint between the head and spine then this could again be a direct blow (rolling in the stable for example) or it could be a training issue. either or rest until soreness reduced then assess the training in conjunction with, as you are, having teeth sorted out.

'Bit' difficult (excuse the pun lol) to be exact with advise when not 100% sure where the issues is.
 
prolite do one for the bridle and I think they look neater than sheepskin and easier to clean, my old horse had poll problems, she was quite head shy when we got her and very sensitive about having her head touched, the physio said she had what she thought was scar tissue there, she told us to just gently stroke the area everyday and it did help but I always rode her with a prolite pad under that area and she was fine, I just wouldn't use anything that put pressure in that area.

The physio also said poll damage and pain there can also be caused by riding a young horse in a too deeper frame for too long, she said it's an injury she had seen mostly in warmblood horses used for dressage as they are often backed young and ridden in a frame from a very young age.
 
Simon Battram said:
I would like to just clarify - the poll is the top of the skull, it is the bony part between the ears. Are you being told that this bony part of the skull between the ears is sore? If so then you can rule out teeth and bit as this will have either come from a direct blow or pressure from ill fitting tack, both of which I know you will be on the case of. if a good bridle fits then it should never cause soreness here so you shouldn't need anything extra. If its from a direct blow then rest the horse until soreness gone then carry on.

If its the joint between the head and spine then this could again be a direct blow (rolling in the stable for example) or it could be a training issue. either or rest until soreness reduced then assess the training in conjunction with, as you are, having teeth sorted out.

'Bit' difficult (excuse the pun lol) to be exact with advise when not 100% sure where the issues is.
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Agree with you here - also poll problems can develop if you have a horse that pulls back especially the type that fights till the weak link or the rope/headcollar breaks. A visit from a chiropractor can help a great deal with this type of injury. While rest and time off being worked will help generally.
 
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