I have come to the conclusion

[Natz88]

My horse doesn't like walking I will try keep this short as possible.

I have a 14.2 6yr old who I ride in a Pelham with 2 reins as it is the only bit he has accepted. We thought he may have had some problem so had back/saddle, teeth checked all the usual & no problems found. We have tried about 20 different bits of all kinds & he hated them all. I got him a hackamore which he liked, but has started to get strong in it so now just ride him in the Pelham.

So my problem is when I hack him alone & in company when we walk all he does is snatch, shake his head, just generally fidget with his head as if he is agitated, but as soon as we go into trot or canter he is fine actually goes very nice, but the minute we come back to walk he is off again with his head. I can ride him on the buckle or with contact either way he does it yet if we are walking along & something gets his attention he doesn't do it at all as he is concentrating on what ever he is looking at. He also does it when he gets worked up over something

He doesn't refuse his bit, doesn't drop the bit to get it off quick when I untack, doesn't do it in the school or on the lunge & doesn't do it when we are jumping. So I have come to the conclusion he either doesn't like walking out hacking, it's just a very bad habit he has got as when we were having the bit issue as soon as he pulled his head down I would give him his head, is it just his way of going or he just doesn't like me

We have had lots of ups & down over the last couple of years most of which we have overcome it's now just this walking out hacking issue & I am getting to the point I don't want to hack him as it's no fun. He is a horse that likes fun & lots of variety.

As said at top all the checks have been done with no issues found. If only horses could speak

On a happy note we had a very good jumping lesson yesterday as we have had few confidence issues recently, but now getting confident with each other again

 

[Mudfukkle]

I'm wondering if this could be "Headshaking syndrome"? he may only react in walk as he has more time to focus on his this - it is sometimes due to pressure on certain nerves. Maybe either the bridle or the bit is causing pressure on these nerves and he is reacting? When he is pushed up a gear, he becomes less focussed on this so it doesn't show up as much?

You could try a Peewee bit? These are very narrow mullen mouth bits, that are placed lower in the mouth than a normal snaffle - google fitting one of these.

You could also try a Micklem bridle, these are supposed to take the pressure off the sensitive areas of the head and ease head shaking symptoms. - again google this to see if it may be suited to your horse.

Have you tried a Dr Cook style bitless bridle? That could be another option?

 

[Bexx]

If you say the head shaking stops when he has something to concentrate on try a bit of schooling as you walk. You can try lengthening and shortening his stride, asking him to bend and flex, and some leg yielding and shoulder in/fore. So if you can make him think about his legs and body and will hopefully take his mind off his head?

 

[Natz88]

I'm wondering if this could be "Headshaking syndrome"? he may only react in walk as he has more time to focus on his this - it is sometimes due to pressure on certain nerves. Maybe either the bridle or the bit is causing pressure on these nerves and he is reacting? When he is pushed up a gear, he becomes less focussed on this so it doesn't show up as much?

You could try a Peewee bit? These are very narrow mullen mouth bits, that are placed lower in the mouth than a normal snaffle - google fitting one of these.

You could also try a Micklem bridle, these are supposed to take the pressure off the sensitive areas of the head and ease head shaking symptoms. - again google this to see if it may be suited to your horse.

Have you tried a Dr Cook style bitless bridle? That could be another option?

We have tried the peewee bit hated it, so will have a read up on the Micklem bridle. His bridle is a full size so a nice fit on him not tight or to loose. I just been sat here thinking I have noticed he gets bothered by flies around his face while out so next time may try a fly veil & fly cream round his face can't hurt to try least it's another thing to rule out if doesn't work

If you say the head shaking stops when he has something to concentrate on try a bit of schooling as you walk. You can try lengthening and shortening his stride, asking him to bend and flex, and some leg yielding and shoulder in/fore. So if you can make him think about his legs and body and will hopefully take his mind off his head?

Thankyou Bexx I will also try this, I do try doing abit of schooling out as he is a horse that hates the ménage finds it toally boring so is rather lazy.

Also forgot to mention if we are out hacking & he isn't doing it if something say spooks him or he gets excited that will course him to start doing it aswell

Thankyou for the suggestions

 

[starbar]

Reading this with interest. I have a 4 year old with exactly the same problem.

It stops if I ride bitless but I want to show him so we need to resolve it really. I've just ordered a micklem bridle to try.

I've got him in a magic snaffle at the moment which helps a bit, any jointed bits make him worse.

I've also tried anti histimines in case it was hayfever. Made no difference.

I feel for you as it drives you insane doesn't it!!

 

[windand rain]

Does he have a feed if so I would add a spoonful of salt to his feeds horses do not take in sufficient salt from a lick so add a bit to some food it seems to help if not cure headshaking

 

[Natz88]

Reading this with interest. I have a 4 year old with exactly the same problem.

It stops if I ride bitless but I want to show him so we need to resolve it really. I've just ordered a micklem bridle to try.

I've got him in a magic snaffle at the moment which helps a bit, any jointed bits make him worse.

I've also tried anti histimines in case it was hayfever. Made no difference.

I feel for you as it drives you insane doesn't it!!

Driving me made, especially as I am not enjoying him as neither of us are relaxed when he is like it. Can I ask probs a stupid question, but what does the Micklem bridle do or what is it meant for? May see if I can borrow one as just can't afford to buy one for it not to make a difference.

Does he have a feed if so I would add a spoonful of salt to his feeds horses do not take in sufficient salt from a lick so add a bit to some food it seems to help if not cure headshaking

He is fed once a day & only gets hi fi lite, nuts & some garlic so will give the salt ago thankyou

 

[Artful]

Maybe try a nose net -helps my boy a lot re flies up his nose etc!! Also a bit of Vaseline round his nostrils before you go out. Mine is also worse in walk!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I know you say bridle is a good fit but are you absolutely certain that his browband is long enough? Is the bridle plain or padded?

 

[Natz88]

I know you say bridle is a good fit but are you absolutely certain that his browband is long enough? Is the bridle plain or padded?

It's not a padded/comfort bridle just a plain flash bridle. The browband is plenty long enough if anything it's a bit to big.

I have just popped to the local tack shop & brought some Citronella gel to put on his face before we go out although I don't think this is the problem it's something to rule out.