Horse ‘yucking’ head down while hacking?

[Hipo]

I have been hacking out regularly with my friend and her young cob. He is really laid back and pretty rock steady with anything we meet. The only problem is he constantly ‘yucks ‘ his head down, sometimes he looks as if he’s trying to rub his nose on his knees, sometimes not. He’s never tried to pull down for grass.
My first thought was pollen irritation and trying to rub his nose , I have a mare who did this, but was completely cured by a nose net. She tried the nose net, but no difference.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[ozpoz]

Have his teeth been checked? is his bridle comfortable?

 

[Hipo]

Teeth been done recently, and bridle looks fine, he doesn’t do it in the school?

 

[ozpoz]

I have a Micklem bridle because my horse did this when I got him. A good dental, nathe bit and change of bridle which didn't press on the facial nerves sorted i. It might be worth a try if you can borrow one to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It could still be a pollen allergy, or it could be the fit of his bit/bridle, or it could be that the contact is too firm. Or it could be that he is getting tired. How long are your hacks?

 

[Hipo]

I Will see if she knows anyone who has a micklem she could try.

 

[Hipo]

We don’t do very long hacks as my pony has arthritis in his knee, so usually half an hour to an hour mainly walking.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Probably not tiredness then Trying the micklem sounds like a good idea!

 

[3OldPonies]

Could be a too tight noseband pressing on a nerve. Try loosening it a bit before you go to any expensive options. Get the saddle fit checked too, he could be trying to stretch tense muscles.

 

[pistolpete]

Saddle fit too may cause this if he’s taking longer strides than in the school.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Could be bridle or saddle fit the front of the saddle being too tight can make some horses yank there head down.

 

[exracehorse]

Both of mine have itchy knees! They are actually rubbing their face against the leg. Think the rape pollen and cow parsley is too much at the moment

 

[Hipo]

Thanks for the replies, will make these suggestions to her, starting with bridle first .

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

It might be something as simple as pollen allergy and as others have said possibly only trying to reach down to rub his face/nostrils/eyes, whatever is currently irritating him on his legs. - how long has he been doing this? Try smearing Vick's Vapour rub around the edges of his nostrils before a ride - if this doesnt work add a nose net too - worked a treat for my extremely sensitive mare.