Horse very tense in poll area

[poiuytrewq]

Posted before about my idiot horse, I hade decided to send him off to a pro for assessment , bit of schooling and maybe just to break the cycle of his behaviour.
I‘d wanted to double check things were physically ok first as sending a horse to a pro isn’t something I can actually afford easily so it seemed silly to send him below par.
Had a different physio. She said he’s holding huge amounts of tension in his poll and jaw, generally his head!
Id always known he was funny in his head. I’ve had several dentists check ( in case the previous had been wrong!)
Tried lots of bits and nose bands/bridles. Nothing really made a difference.
He gets a bit head shakey, it’s very on and off though. Usually when something has already wound him up. Doesn’t correspond to anything weather/tack or atmosphere related. He hates things on his head, can’t tolerate a fly hood or a Loose fitting head collar etc.
He “yawps” I don’t know the correct word! Stretches his ear down and crosses his jaw a lot. In my old TB this was a real stress thing.
He does it the first 30 seconds of having his bit in and at other times, waiting for feed might be one. Again it often doesn’t really correspond to anything in particular.
The physio managed to loosen the one near side off quite well and really quite obviously, he did huge amounts of yawning and chewing. The off side he just wouldn’t give in! She’s going to come out regularly and just keep on at him but what can I do?
He also has a weaker near hind which ties in with the poll area. I’m not sure which came first or caused the other but they are related.

Is there anything I can do at home to help rectify this and hopefully help him chill back into ridden work?
It’s easy to find any number of exercises targeted at other areas of the horse but not specifically relaxing ones head! Help!
Thanks ?

 

[Fieldlife]

Try quantum bridle? Do trials where fitting fee free if buy one.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We had acupuncture for a horse with poll problems but your physio surely would have suggested that if it would be helpful.

 

[Britestar]

Chiro or osteo how can do cranio sacral massage.
You may need sedation for a full work up, and many insit on an xray prior.

Made a huge difference to my big lump who had poll issues.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Poll or hyoid issues are often secondary to hind limb lameness, but can be a primary issue.

I'd get a good chiro vet on this.

 

[Cowpony]

There's a video somewhere that shows a guy getting rid of tension in the TMJ by sticking his thumb in the horse's mouth and putting it against the top palate. The horse crosses its jaw and that helps relieve the pressure. I think it may be Tom Maxwell. Worth a look?

 

[CMcC]

There's a video somewhere that shows a guy getting rid of tension in the TMJ by sticking his thumb in the horse's mouth and putting it against the top palate. The horse crosses its jaw and that helps relieve the pressure. I think it may be Tom Maxwell. Worth a look?

Richard Maxwell is a Masterson Method practitioner (among other things).
For a horse with serious, complex problems probably something best left to a trained person.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thank you for the replies.
I have no intention of doing anything major to try and sort this, that will definitely be left to the professionals don’t worry!
I’d been thinking more along the lines of would carrot stretch type things help at all, more to make me feel like I’m doing something.
@Tiddlypom that’s my fear. I’ve spoken to his old owner and there have been similar issues in the past apparently, fixed by schooling. The story doesn’t quite add up to me.
Is having a “weak” hindlimb lame ?‍ I kind of thing it probably classes as the same to me even though he looks pretty sound.
I’ll look at acupuncture as I’ve heard good reports human wise. The physio didn’t suggest it no, but we hadn’t really spoken in detail at that point. She was explaining bits as she went along but then sent me a written report.
She was supposed to be back last week but between us we didn’t have a time slot. Hopefully next but he’s not been ridden as our nanny horse is off games (again!)

I’m thinking I need a vet involved.
Is a full lameness work up an over kill or a necessity?
We know which leg needs looking at.
Would it be ok to request access from his last owner to his old vet records, just to see what happened and when?

 

[LegOn]

I had a bridle fitting and turns out my bridle was digging in like a badly fitted pair of knickers!! It looked totally fine and he went well but with his bodyworker he would always get comments his poll was tight - but now that has improved massively with a properly fitted bridle! I would recommend getting a qualified bridle fitter

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had a bridle fitting and turns out my bridle was digging in like a badly fitted pair of knickers!! It looked totally fine and he went well but with his bodyworker he would always get comments his poll was tight - but now that has improved massively with a properly fitted bridle! I would recommend getting a qualified bridle fitter

Is there such a thing?
God, I hope his bridle fits as it cost me a fortune and is newish.
How did you find yours? I’ve never used or known anyone use a bridle fitter.

 

[LegOn]

Is there such a thing?
God, I hope his bridle fits as it cost me a fortune and is newish.
How did you find yours? I’ve never used or known anyone use a bridle fitter.

I'm in Ireland but the company she works with for the bridles are in the UK which is where I got mine - they do a whole assessment of the horse like you would get with a good saddle fitter - head conformation, mouth size and conformation, current set up etc - they watch you ride, make recommendations, I was able to try to bridle, change the bit, try different bits so we landed on bit was fine but headpiece on my bridle was actually digging into him! It made an instant difference when I rode in the different bridle!

Hopefully there is someone in your area but they are fully trained and qualified! : https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/bridle-bit-fitting.html

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’m thinking I need a vet involved.
Is a full lameness work up an over kill or a necessity?
We know which leg needs looking at.

Vet next. If he were mine, I'd get my brilliant chiro vet out first. She would examine him, give her opinion and make him as comfortable as she can, and suggest whether or not to take him to a regular vets for a work up. If it's an issue that she can sort, she will do it, but she wouldn't give false assurances. She doesn't cover your area.

If you haven't got a good chiro vet, take him in to regular vets for a loss of performance work up.

A 'weak' hind leg is usually a lame leg, and a horse moving wonkily to save itself from pain can bring on lots of compensatory tensions elsewhere in the body.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

It was our vet who did the acupuncture.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ok, so possibly stupid question.
A veterinary chiropractor is qualified in treating animals but is not a vet.
A chiro-vet? Is that a vet who specialises in musculoskeletal conditions or is it just another chiropractor for animals as opposed to humans?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'm in Ireland but the company she works with for the bridles are in the UK which is where I got mine - they do a whole assessment of the horse like you would get with a good saddle fitter - head conformation, mouth size and conformation, current set up etc - they watch you ride, make recommendations, I was able to try to bridle, change the bit, try different bits so we landed on bit was fine but headpiece on my bridle was actually digging into him! It made an instant difference when I rode in the different bridle!

Hopefully there is someone in your area but they are fully trained and qualified! : https://www.horsemanshipsaddlery.uk/bridle-bit-fitting.html

Thank you, there is no one in my county unfortunately but I did Google and find someone who is Lantra trained and covers Gloucestershire. May be worth a try.

His bridle was purchased in individual parts as per Henry James website measurements so I hope it’s not that,although to be fair it might be the easiest thing to fix I guess ?‍

 

[Tiddlypom]

My chiro vet is a very experienced equine vet who has additionally trained in chiropractic techniques and set up on her own. She was formerly a senior vet at Leahurst. She has seen it all.

Oh, and she is a Lantra Certified Bit and Bridle fitter! But she doesn't cover your area.

https://www.equineveterinarywellnessclinic.co.uk/

You absolutely need a qualified vet next on this.

 

[poiuytrewq]

My chiro vet is a very experienced equine vet who has additionally trained in chiropractic techniques and set up on her own. She was formerly a senior vet at Leahurst. She has seen it all.

Oh, and she is a Lantra Certified Bit and Bridle fitter! But she doesn't cover your area.

https://www.equineveterinarywellnessclinic.co.uk/

You absolutely need a qualified vet next on this.

Maybe I’ll move to your area ? she sounds amazing to have on your team!