Head shaking only whilst ridden??

[joey_olop]

My new horse constantly shakes her head whilst being ridden, we had her on loan before & she didnt do it then.

She has really bad lice on her head & we have only just starting treating this(its never been treated before in 3 years:eek: )

Would it be that we have uncovered sore skin & the bridle is rubbing?? Or could it be something else??

Thanks so much, Im really worried about her:o

[xxxkristinaxxx]

My horse xena head shakes sometimes. I have noticed though its only when we do roadwork, which she finds quite boring. So when we do roadwork i tend to take her flash-noseband off and then shes fine, and i put her flashband back on when we are doing a ride with cantering.
Dont ask me why it just works for us.

My friends horse was head shaking alot the other day. This was because of the flies around his head i think

[showjumper-zoe]

You can get a shaker guard from "equine america" (makers of cortaflex) may be worth a try.

Sorry not much help.

Also have you had it's teeth checked recently? Sharp bits may cause this.

Or the bridle may be to tight around the poll area.

[joey_olop]

You can get a shaker guard from "equine america" (makers of cortaflex) may be worth a try.

Sorry not much help.

Also have you had it's teeth checked recently? Sharp bits may cause this.

Or the bridle may be to tight around the poll area.

How can I make it looser around the poll then??
We are having her teeth looked at next week, I just don't like seeing her like it as she looks really distressed when she does it poor love.

[showjumper-zoe]

How can I make it looser around the poll then??
We are having her teeth looked at next week, I just don't like seeing her like it as she looks really distressed when she does it poor love.


Put you're finger under the headpiece see if it needs loosening. If it does try to lossen it off but not so much that it effects the bit postition in the mouth or so teh bridle can be dropped off.

You can buy prolite pads to go on the headpiece to relief pressure.

[joey_olop]

Brilliant stuff, thanks for that :)

[KateWooten]

Just a simple and quick thing to check .. have you cleaned her ears out yet ? Just with a Q-tip in baby oil, lightly clean the inside of her ears, not starting too deep, and bringing the Q-tip up and out towards the tips. I do this when Rosie Mare starts her head shaking - she gets these little mites or gnats that bite and leave scabs, then when I ride her they shake loose and irritate her. The Q-tip comes out with black dust on it - like flea-dirt.

[joey_olop]

Just a simple and quick thing to check .. have you cleaned her ears out yet ? Just with a Q-tip in baby oil, lightly clean the inside of her ears, not starting too deep, and bringing the Q-tip up and out towards the tips. I do this when Rosie Mare starts her head shaking - she gets these little mites or gnats that bite and leave scabs, then when I ride her they shake loose and irritate her. The Q-tip comes out with black dust on it - like flea-dirt.

thanks for the tip Kate-will try it tonight:)

[SueFieldsend]

This is the first spring with my horse. We are surrounded by fields of rape seed and she is shaking her head very badly (unrideable). I've eliminated all physical problems and got it down to pollen allergy. Have ordered a product called pollinexe and a nose shield. Will let you know if it works.

[puzzles]

try the nosenet created by Equilibrium. it stems the flow of pollen/other allergens in the air, and also have your horse's face checked by your vet as a trapped nerve triggered by a bridel or air/light may make him shake.
also add antioxidants to his feed; primarily selenium and vitamin E, but ask a nutritionist/feed company for more details on these.
direct/bright light can trigger neves, causing spasms of irritation that your horse canot help and make him head shake, also triggered by allergens.for most headshakers, no cure is found because the specific cause/s are so hard to find: even your vet will probably be baffled.
however try all you can - many respiratory supplements contain lots of antioxidants in particular.

good luck!