Return of the head tossing

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Simbacat

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Calling anyone who has had an issue with their horse head tossing, any ideas or experiences really appreciated. So its week 6 now of my mare in her new home and her new life of hacking out not rushing madly around a polocrosse field. First few rides out she had eyes on stalks, jumped at leaves and head tossed all the way home. Things have definitely improved and she is listening to me a lot more and rushing less and the head tossing had really diminished to just a few on the way back.
But on Saturday came back with a vengeance. It was a bit windy and that made all those scary logs really really scary! I went on a long ride to Blackheath with my OH and by the time we turned to get back I think she had just had enough. If I put her first she was jumping in a really unrelaxing way, but 2nd she really started head tossing on the last leg back. In the end I put her right behind hubby, allowing her to really stick her nose into his boy's bottom so to speak! (he never kicks) so I could give her a really lose rein and nothing to snatch against. Not sure if this is the best plan - or if anyone has a better idea. I think its impatience and the fact I made her canter behind and slowly and she wants to race in front. All a big disheartening after I thought we were doing so well, Any ideas??
 
Not sure if it helps but my big mare has today had the first bout this year of her head tossing as a result of an allergy. I'll stick the nosenet on and presumably that will stop it, like it did last year which was the first year she'd had it.
 
Don't know if this is any help, but my mares both have a tendency to head toss on the last leg of a hack which I am pretty sure is down to wanting to get home :) ie. as you said impatience.
 
I'm assuming its behavioural as she only does it going back - especially on the last bit. But I have noticed her shaking her head a little in the field? so could it be an allergy?
 
I would think allergies, the pollen is horrendous at the moment especially with the evil yellow stuff all around here! Thankfully its mostly stopped flowering now :-)
 
Ah blackheath in Surrey? Up near shere and farley green? I hack there and my mare head tosses badly there, she has a pollen allergy for starters only triggered in this area, but recently other liveries horses have started too. It's down to the tiny gnats, midges and sand flies. I've found a face mask (or riding out in a fly mask) has really helped. I also avoid the damp, wet narrow gully tracks as that is where they are worse and stick to the main path instead.
 
whao that is interesting to know, she didn't do it at all where she was before in Kent but then we didn't hack out much
 
Mine doesn't do it half as much in other areas, even as little distance as newlands corner or ranmore. She is particularly bad at the back of buck Jones place, the old watercress beds and up by the war memorial. Nosenet and face mask when bad, and it will disappear altogether come winter!
 
I never quite got onto it apart from hunting, I was more between there and Hollister farm before and those tracks are mostly hard and stoney. Black heath and shere,are by far the best and winterfold isn't bad either. I'll I'm you tomorrow when I'm at work, it sounds like we should meet up and hack together!
 
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