Horse carrying tension at the poll/neck?

[Jingleballs]

Does anyone have any experience of this and possible solutions to this?

This has been an ongoing problem with Casper. I think it was slightly exacerbated by how my previous RI was asking me to ride him – very heavy with the hand and almost forcing him into an outline. He’s the type of horse where it all needs to seem like his idea and if you ask to strongly he’ll resist and fight and generally tense his neck.

When you ride him correctly he’s lovely and light and responsive and has a real cadence in the trot.

I know that it’s not solely due to how he’s ridden as after he’s had time off the tension is often worse.

I try and stretch him every day – lots of carrot stretches – you should hear the muscles popping and cracking when he bends. And he’s had regular massages from an EBW and also McTimoney Corley/Shiatsu practitioner and on top of this I try and give him one Equine Touch session a month. All have noticed and treated the tension but there is no obvious reason for it i.e. he doesn’t pull back when tied up for example.

When I lunge him, I don’t use anything other than a lunge line and cavesson and really focus on getting him stretching down – same when ridden as part of his warm up.

Is this just a symptom of some horses? I suppose some people carry more tension than others – I know that my shoulders always carry tension no matter what.

Any thoughts welcome!

 

[Triskar]

Jane Savoie has exercises to supple the horse at the poll and through the neck - quite a few of her things are on YouTube. I use her suppling exercises on my mare - I think that Jane Savoie's stuff is really good - she was a 3 time Olympic coach and once got to the Olympics herself as the USA dressage team reserve. I got quite a few of her DVDs on eBay, and I've now bought her Happy Horse course which cost a LOT! But I have to say it was worth it - my instructor keeps asking me what I'm doing because my horses are improving so quickly!

 

[Faro]

If you haven't already done so, I would consider getting his teeth checked too. If he's uncomfortable in his teeth, it could well have such a knock-on effect as stiffness in poll and neck.

Also, is he relaxed and happy with the bit you are currently using? It may be that the bit is too fat, too thin, too wide, too narrow etc. etc. If you get the opportunity, try to observe how he holds his mouth when he's being ridden (difficult I know, when you're the rider - perhaps get someone to take a video). Is his mouth relaxed or tense, does he salivate nicely, excessively or not at all?

I'm not saying that the mouth IS the answer to a stiff poll, but it's certainly worth looking further into. Try and tense your own mouth up right now, then think about the back of your neck - it'll be tense too. As soon as your mouth is soft and relaxed again, you'll find it's much easier for the back of your neck to relax too.

 

[Jingleballs]

Good point Faro - his teeth are all up to date and have never had problems with them.

He's in a loose ring revolver and seems happy enough - happier than he was in a french link hanging cheek. He froths a little but when bitted but not excessively if that makes sense?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I know you've had various 'therapies' but have you considered acupuncture?
We've had very good results in more than 1 horse, specifically in a mare with neck/poll problems.
I have had treatment myself and know what a difference it can make. I think sometimes that muscles go back to the way they are most used to, even when a therapist has 'tweaked' them, while acupuncture seems to completely relax the muscles and allow them to 'start again', IYSWIM.