Young horse head shaking

[Hackback]

I took my 4 year old to a clinic yesterday. It was the first time he'd been in an arena with other horses and he really struggled to start with. Once he'd calmed down he was a little champ. He stood still, as per his training, during all the periods when it wasn't our turn. BUT he started vertical head shaking, quite aggressively at times. When we were doing something he was fine - it was just when we were standing and watching. He also yawned like crazy when he wasn't shaking.

I'm really worried now. I've never had a head shaker and don't know a lot about it. A couple of friends have horses that head shake due to pollen and I know of one horse that was PTS because his head shaking couldn't be explained and got progressively severe.

My horse wears a very simple bridle, no noseband, and has a fixed ring snaffle with a lozenge. He had the dentist about a month ago and just needed a rasp round. All his caps are shed.

Don't know why I'm writing this really. The more I type the more I think I need to ask a vet. From my limited second hand experience I don't remember anyone ever having a successful diagnosis from a vet. What about a physio? A quick search on here threw up a post where someone suggested a physio for nerve pain.

What I need is someone who can tell me if it's pain related and if it is, where it is, and what I can do.

Any suggestions where I should go first (and how much I should panic) gratefully received!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Sounds like it could be a stress response if he only did it at the clinic so I wouldn't worry about it too much for now, just get him out a bit more and hopefully once he gets calmer he will stop doing it.

 

[WestCoast]

When I first had my mare she scared me to death by doing this on the way home from hacks after cantering up a hill. It was just excitement and stressiness.

With her it was really important to not give her anything to pull on. It will be more difficult when standing still but she needed legs in and a soft contact. She rarely if ever does it now.

 

[dixie]

I'm also inclined to think its stress and being anxious, especially the yawning.

If he's not doing it at home when he is calm, probably be best to take him out and about a bit more to see if he settles before involving vets etc.

 

[Hackback]

Thank you all. I was hoping it was just a coping mechanism, but scared myself half silly when I googled it. I'm praying now that it will improve as he gets used to all his new experiences.

Interesting what you say about your mare @WestCoast. I know AJ isn't keen on having his mouth touched (which is why I wondered about his teeth/the bit) and he was better when I dropped the rein completely (this may be when the yawning happened) so next time I'll particularly take notice of how he reacts to my contact.

Thanks for the reassurance