throwing head around then locking jaw and pulling for rest of ri

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ruby_2_shoes

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Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what the cause or treatment could be for my ex racer who in the last 2.5 months has started after 30 mins of riding throwing his head up and around to the point where his ears are basically in my face and the locking his jaw and pulling through the reins for rest of ride.... Happens if in arena or hacking.

Had vet out. Nothing wrong with teeth and then he gave horse good feel all over - nothing 'out'.

Any ideas of why or how to make it better for him - as annoying as it is for me - it's surely more annoying and possibly painful for him even with vet having been out and finding nothing!!!

Thanks.
 
It could be the saddle, the bit, he may have a sore area of muscle that the vet has not found, getting a saddler or physio would be my next step.
 
Does he lunge into a contact? or just run around on the end? If he does then the behaviour when ridden could be evasion to work- saying "I'm tired now mum, I dont want too!/I've got sore muscles now, this working lark is hard work!"
 
DiNozzo said:
Does he lunge into a contact? or just run around on the end? If he does then the behaviour when ridden could be evasion to work- saying "I'm tired now mum, I dont want too!/I've got sore muscles now, this working lark is hard work!"
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It does sound as if the horse is tired. If it were teeth etc, I'd expect the head tossing etc to start almost immediately but after 30 mins, it sounds like tiredness.
 
Race horses tend to be ridden with little or no contact and if you are trying to achieve an outline of a ridden horse it will take time for the muscles to develop and you will need to train him to accept a contact without it meaning go faster.
I would get him to learn aids using your seat, back and voice in a controlled space using little contact making sure he is obedient and over tracks so he is using his quarters.
We had a TB that you had to ride with so little contact the reins would nearly be in looped but he went on the bit and competed showing and dressage, if you rode him with stiff hands and shoulders he would buck in protest.
 
I've had him a while- after being turned away and rehabilitation started And he had been working consistently in an outline for about 6 months... Then all of a sudden this problem has arisen
 
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