Suddenly 'headshy'??

[Tinkle]

Well technically not suddenly - another one of those things that when you look back has probably been coming on gradually.

Just been to fetch my two in and when I went to put Rocco's headcollar on he pulled back. Got the noseband onto his nose and flipped the strap over his head but when I went to fasten it he stepped back and lifted his head. First time he did it I let him go and second time I got a bit stronger and told him to stand still but he pulled harder. After following him reversing across the field I gave up and took his headcollar apart. Fastened the headpiece round his neck and undid the noseband, then slid it up onto his nose and re-fastened it. Gave him a stroke round his ears and poll and he flinched a bit but relaxed when I was touching him gently. He never pulled back in a naughty frightened way and always walked back to me and put his nose by my side as though he wanted to have his headcollar on and come in.

So that suggests to me he's in some discomfort? And looking back he's stepped backwards a little when I've been bringing him in over the last couple of weeks say. Could be longer but sometimes changes are so subtle you miss them. Obviously I'll monitor it over next couple of days but, if no improvement, what to investigate first.

A) Teeth - He had his teeth done last May/June time so will try to get those checked within the next couple of weeks. I felt his head though and he didn't show any signs of discomfort up his cheeks.

B) His ears - am I right in thinking they can get ear mites? And presumably diagnosis would rneed the vet to have a look in his ears?

C) His head - the roof in his stable is a little lower than ideal - unfortunately only stable I can have at the yard. I saw him bang his head slightly a while back but his seemed fine afterwards.

D) Something muscular? We had a nasty fall over a month ago where he bucked me off and as I went over his head my foot caught in the reins. I was dragged along around the arena and by the time the rein snapped his bridle had twisted round his head so the right cheekpiece was in his mouth and his bit was on his left cheek. This was a while ago but could there be some soreness from this?

E) Anything else?

Thanks all - keen to get back into working him after my fall and the snow but don't want to bridle him if he's going to be in pain.

xx

 

[mygeorge]

I would get a MacTimoney practitioner to check his cervical vertebrae as it seems to have come on since your fall and my thinking is that the soreness seems to be in the poll area where the vertebrae join the skull. There might be some muscular damage in this area also. It sounded quite a nasty fall with quite a lot of pressure from dragging you along the arena. Hope all goes well.

 

[teddyt]

Your fall damaging a muscle is a strong possibility. Think of your weight hanging from his head, thats alot of pressure.
Maybe get vet out do do teeth and check him over at the same time then try a veterinary physiotherapist if needed afterwards. If its unusual behaviour then theres a reason for it.
Good luck finding the reason!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

My horse became headshy quite a few years back - at that time someone was either bringing him in or turning out each day, and that person was short tempered and not shy of clouting her own horse around the head. I never knew if my lad was being clouted (who would admit to that?) but I moved yards pretty quick.