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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
   
Location: North Dakota | The last 2 times I've ridden my horse he's been tossing his head at the canter. He does it both directions, but is worse to the right. He's very well behaved so I think something is bothering him, but I don't know what. Nothing has changed in the last 2 rides. I've been riding him consistently in the same saddle/pad/cinch for ~2 months. It happened in both his shanked roller bit and single jointed d ring snaffle. Both of which I've used before. I also have very quiet hands, but tried riding with no contact what do ever to test it. He also just had his teeth done by a dentist, not a vet, 2-3 months ago. I lunged him before riding both times and his movement+demeanor were totally normal. No head tossing. I also got someone to record us cantering both ways. His stride looked totally normal. Heavy on the forehand, but that's normal for him (and is something I'm trying to fix). I'm going to take him in for back injections (he gets these 2-3 timers yearly) but even when he was overdue for shots in the past, he never did this. So I'm brainstorming for other things to check. I'm thinking his saddle or some sort of mouth issue? Would it be worth bringing the chiro out? He has been out in his poll before. |
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| It sounds like you are on the right track in trying to find out what is going on with him. How old is he?
I would have his teeth checked out again, preferably by a vet, because there could be other mouth/face/head issues that might need to be treated. I would also have a lameness exam done, just to rule out anything. A lot can be seen when trotting on hard ground that can't be seen in soft arena dirt. He could very well need a chiropractic adjustment. I think those are some good places to start.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I would check teeth again just to be on the safe side. I also suggest a chiro/massage appointment. When my horse goes out in the poll even if its just a tinyyyyy cm, he gets fiesty. Luckily my best friend is a massage therapist and has taught me how to properly put it back in place and i can do this on my own now comfortably lol He loves it and always feels better after his massage. if that doesnt solve it i'd be going to the lameness vet to start checking else where. good luck! |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I got video of me lunging him yesterday. He doesn't really toss his head but he looks like he has to try REALLY hard to maintain a 3 beat canter of reasonable speed, especially to the right. He's always been more stiff to the right and for a while had an issue with cross cantering. He hasn't done that in months though. I felt his legs all up and down, no heat, swelling, or tenderness anywhere. Not that that necessarily proves anything. |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | Check him for ear ticks!! |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | You could try loping in a hack or even a halter just to see if he tosses head. This would rule out the teeth issue, possibly.
I kind of have ulcers on my mind because my mare now has them, but she had been getting snotty loping. I'm guessing the acid was sloshing around at a lope and burning her tummy.
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 Peat and Repeat
Posts: 2773
Location: IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD AT LEAST THEY KNOW ME HERE | Teeth |
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Regular
Posts: 56
| Get his back checked out by a chiro. Had same problem with my mare. Her back was super sore and also found out that her hocks need injecting. No head shaking anymore. |
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