HORSE CONSTANTLY RUBBING HIS NOSE

[Piglet]

As above really, my horse is constantly stopping mid ride even mid canter to stop and scratch his nose, lips and mouth on his leg. I have just changed from a Myklim bridle back to a bridle with only a caverson noseband and he hasn’t been as bad so whether it is the drop noseband (worn loose) irritating him or an allergy, anyone else had these issues and if so what was the cause, he also does it in the winter but not as much

 

[Barton Bounty]

Pollen? Id be tempted to try an antihistamine first.

 

[Piglet]

Pollen? Id be tempted to try an antihistamine first.

Yup I thought that but unsure how many to give a horse

 

[Peglo]

If it’s safe to do so I think I would try riding in a head collar and see if he still does it.
Have you tried a different bit?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Buy some pollinex to pop in his feed.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Yup I thought that but unsure how many to give a horse

What does he weigh? I used to give BB a loading dose for a week of 20 per day at 10mg then down to 12/14 depending on how high the pollen is BB was about 600

 

[Piglet]

If it’s safe to do so I think I would try riding in a head collar and see if he still does it.
Have you tried a different bit?

Riding in a halter wouldn't be very wise, I ride him I a neue schule loose ring snaffle which he seems happy with as he loves I play with the peanut section in the middle of it, he definitely didn't rub so much with a plain noseband, I may try him without it next time and see what happens

 

[Piglet]

What does he weigh? I used to give BB a loading dose for a week of 20 per day at 10mg then down to 12/14 depending on how high the pollen is BB was about 600

yup he is probably the same - thank you

 

[Barton Bounty]

yup he is probably the same - thank you

Take a couple of days to see a difference, go to a local semi chem or savers and get hayfever wipes and balm, i used to wipe his nose too

 

[Tiddlypom]

Try rubbing a thin layer of Vaseline in his nostrils. It was the feeling of snot running down his nose that irritated one of mine, and the Vaseline trick completely stopped the rubbing.

He still snotted, but it didn’t irritate him anymore.

 

[paddy555]

pollen. As you ride along you go through bands/areas of pollen. So the horse is fine in non pollen areas and stops to rub in bad areas.

We worked it out when we rode together when both our horses did it at the same time and often in the same places on different days so obviously not a problem bridle etc.

 

[Piglet]

Thank you guys for all of your advice, will definitely take on board the vaseline as it may catch the pollen and the pollenex ideas and keep with the normal bridle and see if there is any difference as the drop noseband bit of the Miklem bridle is probably not helping either