horse's head keeps going to the floor

murphysmum123

murphysmum123

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 May 2012
Messages
91
Location
dorset
Visit site
he is 5 and had him 8 weeks while out hacking he is fine for about 3/4 of an hour but then keeps putting his head down, doesn't want to eat grass just kind of sniffs the ground, does anyone know how i can stop him doing this? H did it last week while we were cantering when i pull him up he just does it again!
 
Sorry if you have, but have you checked saddle fits properly? My old horse started doing this so got the saddler out and it turned out he had a sore back
 
Agree with Footlights. First of all check your tack. My cob mare does this when anybody but me tacks her up - reason being that I don't tighten her girths for at least 3/4 mile. Other people who occasionally tack her up for me heave the girths right up immediately. The moment I slacken them off she stops doing it.
 
If he is 5 he could be getting tired/needing a stretch? My old boy at 5 was exhausted after 20 minutes. By 7 years he would go forever and that continued into his early 20s. At 27 when I lost him he still needed to be simmered down to save himself! Miss him lots x
 
Back /saddle needs to be checked.

The head on the ground indicates the want to stretch the back/neck.

Do some carrot stretches this will make his back more supple.

I use a massage pad on my horses 2or3 times a week.

Your lad is still young and more likely still maturing.
 
thanks all, changed his saddle to what came with him, i was thinking he is tired, do i allow him just to put his head down when he wants as i thought he was getting tired, bless him! will do some stretches with him:)
 
The fact that he is doing it in canter makes me believe it is pain related rather than just being tired and stretching, I would get his back/saddle checked just to be on the safe side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top