Throwing her head up..any ideas?

[summersmummy]

Hello, my mare has started to throw her head up in the air (so her nose is almost pointing at the sky!) with her ears flat to her head when I ask her to trot. I get the feeling shes trying to tell me shes uncomfortable. Any ideas what I can try?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Have you had her teeth checked?

 

[malibu211211]

Get her saddle and back checked before trying anything else, sounds as though she is uncomfortable.

 

[alicep]

check saddle and teeth if all ok look into the bit your using.

 

[summersmummy]

I had her teeth rasped about 3 weeks back. Her saddle was checked by my saddler about 2 months ago.... not sure what else it could be?

 

[Tempi]

how about her back?

 

[summersmummy]

I've been using a Myler comfort snaffle for about 8 months and she seems to be fairly ok with it.....

 

[Alibear]

Who did her teeth and have you risked having a peak at them yourself?

 

[OrangeEmpire]

Back? have you done a back check to test for tenderness? Or alternatively you set your hands when you ask for the transition..? She could just be going 'Oi Let Go of My Bloomin Mouth'

 

[summersmummy]

Well I've always used my vet but to be honest he doesn't seem to take very long when he does it.....do you think it may be worth getting a qualified equine dentist to have a look?

 

[jumpthemoon]

[ QUOTE ]
Well I've always used my vet but to be honest he doesn't seem to take very long when he does it.....do you think it may be worth getting a qualified equine dentist to have a look?

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitley - EDT's are so much better than vets - there have been a couple of posts on here today about peoples experiences if you look at the page before. Look on the BAEDT website for a member if you want true peace of mind

http://www.equinedentistry.org.uk/page/members.htm

 

[AmyMay]

In what circumstances does she do this - when schooling only, or out hacking as well?

 

[summersmummy]

Shes only been doing it for the past couple of days and I've been in the school with her. I might take her for a quiet hack later and see what happens. Will definatley get her teeth checked by a dentist though. I'll let you know what the outcome is!
Cheers guys!

 

[alicep]

is is poss shes bit bored of schooling for the last 3 days? maybe trying to get out of doing some work? try hacking a bit but ditto what jumpthemoon said the actual dentists are so much better and more specialised than vets.

 

[alicedove]

How long have you had her, and is this unusual?

Possibly season? if she's normally okay and this is really alien, then get the vet for sure. It could be anything, kissing spine, kidneys, legs, anything at all.... just she doesn't want to go forward.

When my daughter rides our mare, and she is too tight in her hands the mare immediately puts her head up but its not quite as extreme, its not with ears laid flat back or any of those signs...