Itchy head after riding - bridle?

[SpotsandBays]

My lad is always very very keen to rub his head once we’ve finished a ride. Do you think he’s trying to tell me that the bridle isn’t to his liking?

I recently changed his browband as the previous blingy one I think was irritating him and seems much happier now - but I do wonder with the post ride itchies

 

[Kaylum]

Yes check how it sits behind his ears. Does it press on the bottom of them?

 

[pistolpete]

Bridle fit is very individual. Masses of nerve bundles around the head that can easily be irritated it’s why the micklem eas invented but doesn’t suit all. I ended up making a brown and for my highland out of stretchy fabric.

 

[Ladybird L]

I have this same issue would be interested to see what people say!

 

[Lois Lame]

I think a sweaty brow is quite normal to want to itch. I wipe my own
And look at tennis players, constantly mopping their brow. Sweat is uncomfortable, but healthy.

 

[GypsGal1718]

It can be a sign of headshaking/trigeminal nerve irritation

 

[Identityincrisis]

Yes, it can be a big indicator that the bridle doesn’t fit, i got a Horsemanship bridle after a fitter recommended it (they have various headpieces and I wasn’t comfortable picking one) and my horse rarely asks to itch.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Thanks all, I’ll have a play around with it and see if I can get a different post ride outcome!

 

[I'm Dun]

Yes, it can be a big indicator that the bridle doesn’t fit, i got a Horsemanship bridle after a fitter recommended it (they have various headpieces and I wasn’t comfortable picking one) and my horse rarely asks to itch.

Me too, pony still itched though. She just used to get slightly sweaty on her head and base of ears and want to rub it. Nothing more sinister.

 

[SpotsandBays]

Me too, pony still itched though. She just used to get slightly sweaty on her head and base of ears and want to rub it. Nothing more sinister.

He does seem more itchy now than he did a few months ago when the weather was cooler so could well be the sweat

 

[Skib]

The mare I ride will try to rub her head where the head band rests. That is because she has an irritable skin condition at the top of her mane. This is treated by the YM.

 

[Polos Mum]

It can be wanting to rub nerves that have gone pins and needly after having pressure on them - or it might be just sweat.

Lots of browbands are far too short and hence tight - so maybe swap that around and see if it makes any difference.

Also you need really short cheek pieces so the buckles are only half way up their face (not towards the top where the nerves concentrate)

My boy has FS headpiece, xtra full browband and pony cheeks (which are still a touch long) to try and get buckles in the least annoying places.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Sweaty head and swarming flies makes my mare rub her head on the haynet after riding.

 

[SpotsandBays]

It can be wanting to rub nerves that have gone pins and needly after having pressure on them - or it might be just sweat.

Lots of browbands are far too short and hence tight - so maybe swap that around and see if it makes any difference.

Also you need really short cheek pieces so the buckles are only half way up their face (not towards the top where the nerves concentrate)

My boy has FS headpiece, xtra full browband and pony cheeks (which are still a touch long) to try and get buckles in the least annoying places.

Browband is definitely big enough, but I wonder about the headpiece. Interesting about the buckles! I’ll have a look later to see where they’re sitting

 

[Polos Mum]

I went to a demo that was really eye opening (after 30 years of putting bridles on!)

Buckles want to be below eye level - not at the top touching the browband. There's some good stuff online if you google bridle fit and fitters that will come out and help

 

[spotty_pony2]

Mine only really does it if he has got really sweaty - and then likes to rub on his haynet. Rubbing the nose on the leg is actually classed as a symptom of headshaking as it is the trigeminal nerve that is affected in this case.