m1187604
Active Member
does anyone have any experience of a horse who has had a sore poll? my mare had bad teeth which have been fixed but she is still very sore about her poll and she doesnt even like her halter being on at present. any ideas??
ideas on poll pressure/ soreness
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teddyt
Well-Known Member
What bit do you ride in? Does your bridle fit well? Has the horse pulled back when tied up.
m1187604
Active Member
i ride in a loose ring snaffle and her bridle fits fine. if she pulled away when tied up it hasn't been recently. what would that have caused anyway?
teddyt
Well-Known Member
It could have caused bruising or soft tissue damage. That can be severe and take a long time to heal. The area behind the ears doesnt have much 'padding' and its where the first few vertebrae are.
Could she have hit her head in the stable or when loading in a horsebox?
Could she have hit her head in the stable or when loading in a horsebox?
ngrace
Well-Known Member
Whilst you are trying to find out the problem, try using a sheepskin sleeve on here headpiece of headcollars and bridle to keep him/her comfortable
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
I'd suggest a visit by a good chiropractor - if at any time she has pulled back it is easy for the poll area to become out of alignment. This makes the poll area tender.
m1187604
Active Member
hey thanks guys. would a chiropractor be better than a physio then? she was at a physio last week and it hasn't helped. yes she has a sheepskin on her halter but still looks sore when i put it on her.
it seems to get worse if i lunge her,just in a halter even, after a time scale of about 5-10 mins but she might be fine for the first wee while.
it seems to get worse if i lunge her,just in a halter even, after a time scale of about 5-10 mins but she might be fine for the first wee while.
teddyt
Well-Known Member
Physio may need several sessions. It isnt always one treatment and the problem is sorted. Take bruising for example, it takes time to heal. Physio or chiro wont help!
In terms of being out of alignment, the poll cannot be out of alignment. The poll is where the skull attaches to the spine. If this were out of alignment then it would be dislocated. If a horse had a dislocated skull or the first few vertebrae you would know about it!
Has the vet seen the horse? Maybe a scan of the soft tissues is needed?
In terms of being out of alignment, the poll cannot be out of alignment. The poll is where the skull attaches to the spine. If this were out of alignment then it would be dislocated. If a horse had a dislocated skull or the first few vertebrae you would know about it!
Has the vet seen the horse? Maybe a scan of the soft tissues is needed?
gunnergundog
Well-Known Member
If the horse has had bad teeth for a period of time there will have been tension in the masseter muscles in the cheek which are used for chewing as the horse tried to avoid using certain areas in its mouth. Likewise, when ridden - depending on which teeth were bad - the horse could have been holding its jaws in a certain way to avoid pressure from the bit. Tension travels through muscles and tension in the jaw could well be relected in the poll area.
Not discounting pulling back whilst tied up as a possibility either.
Try a neoprene pad over your headpiece whilst riding or a comfort/elevator bridle if you have one. May need to give horse some time off to resolve problem fully - I would consult vet/physio if problems doesn't improve in next week or so.
Not discounting pulling back whilst tied up as a possibility either.
Try a neoprene pad over your headpiece whilst riding or a comfort/elevator bridle if you have one. May need to give horse some time off to resolve problem fully - I would consult vet/physio if problems doesn't improve in next week or so.
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
The poll can and does go out of alignment - ever clicked your neck? - I have mine realigned every time I go to the chiro. Muscles pull the vertebrae out of alignment - they are not dislocated but are not sitting correctly.
Pulling back may put the junction of Atlas & Axis out of alignment and cause the horse discomfort. Symptoms vary - some won't put head down to be bridled, are head shy, don't like ears touched, head tilt, duck behind the bit, fuss when asked to work in a frame, lean on or grab the bit downwards. If ever mine pull back the chiro is called in.
