Sudden behaviour change. Also in NL

[Ajax1]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping you could help. I was riding my horse yesterday he was working beautifully in an outline, foward etc, suddenly he titled his head and was flicking his ear. This is very out if character, he also would not accept a contact, he would just shake his head and flick his ear.

I just put it down to the amount of flies around atm and thought one may have gone in his ear. Fine in field etc. Brought him out to ride tonight all normal tacking up etc, mounted fine, went to take a contact and he started headshaking violently and ear flicking. So I got off, took him for a lunge all fine.

Any ideas? Teeth are fine, had physio out not long ago fine also.

Thanks

 

[jools123]

it may be a pollen allergy it may be worth trying a nose net, if no improvement then vet.

an allergy can start anytime during the horses life our pony mare is 21 and the firsts sign of trouble we know of was last year (we have owned her for 6yrs)

 

[texel]

Sounds like he is locked up, could be his poll or back.

What rein were you on ? and which way did he tilt his head ? e.g. if you were tracking right did he lower his right ear and did he tilt his head so his mouth was going to the left ?

The clue is in the fact it occurs when he is ridden and in a contact. Have you tried riding him with a relaxed rein ?

it is a process of elimination you have to try various things and observe when the issue occurs.

The physio may quite rightly state all is OK - but did the physio examine him when he was ridden with a contact ?