please help - andalusian yanking his head to the floor when ridden :(

Just got back from the bareback trial. I didn't ride for long as we got the results we needed almost immediately, also, he was being a douche in the freak snow/wind storm that decided to arrive just as I got to the yard.

The good news...
I didn't fall on my head
He is blooming comfy bareback

The bad news...
He still did it. The first few times I thought it could be remembered pain but it continued and got progressively worse (as it always does) so I think we can rule out saddle pain, girth issues and anxious grippy rider.

So what's next? Liverpool looks quite likely at the moment :(
 
Well done for your bare back experiment at least you have ruled a saddle issue out. Is he insured? If so sounds like a full MOT at Liverpool will help to find the cause. If only they could talk. He's certainly trying his best to tell you, do keep us all posted on how things go. Best wishes for vets hope it's a positive outcome.
 
Thank you, I think you're right! And yes, he is insured - thank the lord. Just keep everything crossed that they find something (pleaaasssee let it be something simple and not neurological!) Thank you everyone for your advice and I'll keep you posted :)
 
Have you tried long-lining? I just wondered if you were to LL with lines attached to his bit and walk behind him and see how he reacts? No roller or anything around his middle. Just for a lap of the school perhaps? You will still have a contact with his mouth so if it is related to teeth/head neck, he would still possibly react the same, so at least then you can rule out his back... well at least the weight on it.....
 
Is there not somewhere closer to u than liverpool you can be refered too? I got my headshaker refered there last summer, i am only 40 mins from there with own transport, and i was not impressed with them at all.
 
Just a thought what's he like doing carrot stretches? Would he happily stretch his neck round to the girth? Is he the sort to pull back when tied up?
 
He doesn't do it on the lunge, or in hand. But it starts as soon as you go to get on so back cant be ruled out, but neither can neurological as vet couldn't find any pain.

Was thinking about the neck injury thing as this is another possibility but he is the most flexible horse I have ever seen. Being Spanish, he has a great hunk of a neck but can stretch to touch the top of his bum on both sides. Would he still be able to do this if his neck was injured? Also, wouldn't a neck injury show on the lunge?
 
Odd Socks said:
He just did the 'incorrect foot placement' test which was fine. He's not a neuro specialist though which is why he has recommended liverpool
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I would want a few more local tests before taking him all the way to Liverpool. Backing up, tight circles, pen along back, palpation along line of neck vertebra, cranial nerve tests, neck bending and stretching, sway test...etc.

I second what others have said too, there are three equine hospitals in Newmarket which is much closer.
 
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Wagtail said:
I would want a few more local tests before taking him all the way to Liverpool. Backing up, tight circles, pen along back, palpation along line of neck vertebra, cranial nerve tests, neck bending and stretching, sway test...etc.
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It's not that they definitely think it is neuro. It could still be back/neck and bone scans and imaging will definitely be the first port of call, the issue is, if it isn't that (the vet said that he doesn't know what it is, but has a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that its "something neurological like headshaking"), we are back at square one without being somewhere that can deal with the next step of investigations.

The vet is well aware of the other local referral units - god, I've been there enough with previous horses, and he is the ONLY vet whose judgement I trust. If he said he needs to go to Liverpool to be referred, that is where he will go.

I've heard that Liverpool is the best for neurological problems and we just want to have the highest chance of actually finding what's wrong.


And sorry, I'm not clever enough to multi-quote but no, unfortunately no video. Was planning on taking some today with the bareback trial but with the freak weather and him being his normal douchey self in less than perfect weather conditions, we daren't risk it. I also think its unlikely that my mum will ride him now until he's referred as he's pretty much unrideable poor man :(
 
Thank you so much for all your help, and very reassuring words about Liverpool. Fingers crossed now for a positive outcome and I'll keep you posted. :)
 
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