Is this Head Shaking?

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mcnaughty

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Or just a naughty pony evading the contact?

I have a 3yo welsh A who is very sensitive around his head at all times. You cannot get clippers anywhere near his face however small and silent they are.

This morning it was particularly bad. I was lungeing him in long reins with a roller, bridle (plain cavesson with hanging cheek lozenge snaffle) and a libby's lungie bungie (similar to side reins but kinder as they allow bend to the sides - this was not on tight). it was 5.30am so no bright sunlight, just menage lights.

He was violently jerking his head in towards his chest and also from time to time throwing out a front hoof.

Anyone out there ever had experience of something like this? I had his teeth done in January and vet said he had large wolf but as they were large not to bother with them. Supposedly the smaller ones are the issue as they have inadequate roots and wobble.

Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated guys!
 
It sounds like classic headshaking symptoms but could well be the wolf tooth bothering him, Welsh ponies have tiny mouths and there may not be enough room for the bit to lie without touching the tooth. Does he show this at any other time, if not removing the tooth, easily done especially if big, would be the first thing to try.
 
Doesn't sound like headshaking at all to me. Sounds like he is objecting to the kit he's wearing. Headshakers will twitch, and the head is high. It's not the season for headshaking either. Even the worst headshakers are much better at this time of year. Some who are impossible during summer, are perfect easy riders during winter.
I think it's more likely those wolf teeth are bothering him.
Have his wolfies out, then try lunging him again with a soft plastic bit and no other kit to 'hold' him at all.
 
Thanks guys - I have booked the dentist - poor boy. I am also going to try a different bit with a ported mouthpiece as I have been advised that welshies can have quite fleshy tongues. Hopefully the combination might help him be more settled.
 
BonneMaman said:
Thanks guys - I have booked the dentist - poor boy. I am also going to try a different bit with a ported mouthpiece as I have been advised that welshies can have quite fleshy tongues. Hopefully the combination might help him be more settled.
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This is very young horse. Keep it simple, and I would not rush to put a ported bit in such a young mouth.

Are you and mcnaughty the same person????
 
Agree with above, don't bother with any ported mouth piece. Find a nice slim soft straight plastic bit and stick with that. If your worried about room for a bit, you can get a slim happy mouth. Or try a cambridge bradoon which has a little port but is a slim simple bit. He's a baby yet, theres no rush to 'kit him up.' All he wants is a simple bit and saddle to wear and time to get used to those and accept them. Don't over complicate. Also don't work him to exercise right now, if your going to long rein then take him round the lanes or the yard. That'll do far more good for him than boring circles in the school. Good luck :)
 
mcnaughty is my daughter's name on here and horse gossip. This is my granddaughter's pony - hope that makes it clearer ;-)

It is not strictly lungeing we do with him - it is long reining with plenty of change of rein and working straight down the long side (involves lots of running). We have no capable little rider so this is the only way he can be schooled with soft hands.

Before anyone starts shouting about his age - he is being brought on gently and only on large circles - when we do circle him. He has already been out sucessfully showing and will continue to do so gently. NPS, BSPS and PUK all allow rising 4s to compete in ridden classes from 1 January in their 4th year so if anyone has a problem with a young pony being ridden, schooled and showing have a go at them and not me!
 
BonneMaman said:
Thanks guys - I have booked the dentist - poor boy. I am also going to try a different bit with a ported mouthpiece as I have been advised that welshies can have quite fleshy tongues. Hopefully the combination might help him be more settled.
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Bearing in mind that an Equine Dental Technician cannot sedate your horse, and the legality of them removing wolf teeth is questionable without sedation, I would recommend you get your vet to do it instead. Especially so if they are large as it may not be a quick/easy job.
 
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