Your experiences of Seasonal Headshakers??

[WelshTilly]

As above i have enquired about a horse for sale and he seems to fit all my requirements, except he is a headshaker i have been informed he is only affected in the summer which is controlled by wearing a nose net. I have never had any experience and therefore am turning to all you far more knowledgable people and what your thoughts would be and being winter currently whether there are any further checks / questions i should ask? Or if anyone has a horse affected?

Thanks K x

 

[KatB]

I'd be aware of a headshaker being sold in the winter... purely becaue you can't see how bad it is! If he has a proven competition record from summer months, then I would be less bothered, but some horses are effected seriously, othes just display a small twitch/rub their noses which will have very little effect!

 

[kirstie]

I wouldn't touch it at this time of year. It might not be so bad, but it could be really bad if you know what I mean?

It can be very frustrating, upsetting and sometimes very dangerous riding a horse who head shakes badly or even moderately. Unless you can see it in the summer when it will be at it's worst, I'd steer well clear if I were you.

 

[WelshTilly]

Thats why im slightly hesitant to be honest being winter, however the honesty makes me pleased coupled with owning for a length of time. Its the not knowing how bad it is and then finding out i cant ride during the summer as its worse than expected that worries me.

 

[WelshTilly]

I wouldn't touch it at this time of year. It might not be so bad, but it could be really bad if you know what I mean?

It can be very frustrating, upsetting and sometimes very dangerous riding a horse who head shakes badly or even moderately. Unless you can see it in the summer when it will be at it's worst, I'd steer well clear if I were you.

Thats exactly what im thinking...

 

[Charlie007]

I bought a horse in the winter and found it was a headshaker in the summer!! By then I was too attached to him to argue with the dealer. I now control it as best I can and once we are in the warm up of a competition he does not do it as the comp takes his mind off it!! Not too sure, after having a headshaker, that I would take one on knowing it did it. I suppose as others have said you really need to find out how bad it is. Alot of horses just need a nose net and this eliminates it, others such as my chap are a bit more hard work. Good luck with your decision xx

 

[WelshTilly]

I bought a horse in the winter and found it was a headshaker in the summer!! By then I was too attached to him to argue with the dealer. I now control it as best I can and once we are in the warm up of a competition he does not do it as the comp takes his mind off it!! Not too sure, after having a headshaker, that I would take one on knowing it did it. I suppose as others have said you really need to find out how bad it is. Alot of horses just need a nose net and this eliminates it, others such as my chap are a bit more hard work. Good luck with your decision xx

Thanks from what i gather it can be controlled by a net only, however that will have to be a decision based on trust and i suppose it comes down to whether i am prepared to take that risk. Hmmm why cant horse shopping be easy lol!!!