Itchy when removing bridle?

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Stroppy Mare

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Why does my horse itch when I take her bridle off (and also often during riding)? She's got melanomas either side of her eye sockets (one either side of her face) but she's always done it, before the melanomas got to a noticeable size.

What can I do to help/stop her?
 
Mine does it too - lots of horses like a good scratch after work. I don't worry about stopping it unless he's trying to rub on me, and if he seems particularly itchy I'll get a brush or a rubber curry comb and give him a good scouring with it (which he loves!)
 
Genie loves nothing better than a rub/scratch when her bridle comes off, it's part of our daily routine now as we've done it after every ride for the last 4 years! Titchy also does, but not to the same extent.
 
My horse does it too and i thought it was just something she enjoyed after working, but after doing some research on the micklem bridle that my instructor thought i should think about trying, i came accross something about bridles putting pressure on certain nerves in the face which can make them go numb - hence the rubbing when the bridle is finally taken off, it did make me think and i am tempted to try the micklem to see if it makes a difference - but am still giving it some thought at this stage.
 
My horse is always desperate to rub her face after taking her bridle off. She is better since changing to a Micklem (and is otherwise much more comfortable in it than a normal bridle) but still wants to rub it, so don't be too disappointed if it doesn't stop!
 
I've made mine a scratching post - a haynet with a pillow in it - to tie to the side of the horsebox. This after realising that if I turn my back for a second after taking her bridle off, when I turn around her neat and shiny plaits and nice clean face will look like Worzel Gummidge after she's scratched to her heart's delight on her haynet :D
 
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