How do I stop him tossing his head when I'm riding him?

[Dina]

Sometimes when I am riding Chunky and I try and get him to turn or do something he does'nt want to do he tosses his head up high and keeps tossing it until I have give in to him,he tosses it like he is in this pic,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/DehydratedRat/Chunky/Picture070.jpg
He does it in the paddock too,it's really annoying when I'm riding,would a martingale stop him?Is they anything that I can do to make him stop tossing his head?,Thanks.:)

[galadriel]

I've read that tossing like that can be an indication of a sacroiliac problem. What he's doing may be back tension or a mild "headshaking."

Could you describe some specific instances in which he has done this head tossing?

Is it usually the same set of circumstances? For example, always turning right, or always a turn of some kind, or always a shift of weight to one side or the other, etc.

It could also be a tooth issue, or another physical cause. When is the last time you had his teeth checked? His saddle fit? His back?

[Dina]

He gets a dose of selenium every month because he is low in selenium and if he is'nt supplemented with it then he gets a sore back but he does always get selenium every month so i don't think it's his back.He normally tosses his head when he does'nt want to go in the direction you want him to,like today when i was riding him and when i tried to get him to turn and walk away from the barn he started tossing his head.

[amz]

My pony also used to do this everytime I rode him. I've only had him 5 weeks! Was worried also that this could be head shaking or a tooth or back problem as it was so bad. So had the vet out and had all the above checked. Then decided to have an instructor out. It's amazing what a bit of authority will do!! She told me it was "naughty boy syndrome" and watched me ride. She told me to use a crop and to make sure I was consistent and rode him everyday. He also used to nap to the gate and throw his head around. Well since she came a week ago, I have become more confident and firm, have ridden him at the same time every day and he hasn't napped or shaken his head once, but is now working beautifully. I am now going to have the instructor every week!!

Hope this is all that is the problem with your horse. Mine is just quite strong willed but he has responded really well plus my confidence has grown immensely which has helped.
:D

[derby day]

Hi!

My TB ex-hurdler used to shake his head constantly when i rode resulted in me having very achey arms + hands! He has stopped since i took of the running martingale + changed his bit to a mullen pelham.He still does these silly big head thrown up + down in the field and when tied up (still dont know what causes these) it seems like annoyance to me like a child having a paddy! but he has did it once with me when i was in front of him and he gave me a nosebleed - one firm tap on the nose stopped that quickly! so he moved onto my non-horsey mum (he did this twice to her till she took my advice to keep away from his head :rolleyes: I'm not saying to change your horses bit if he is comfortable in it but if it is a jointed one he might be resenting the bit flying up and hitting his palate when you take up a contact (just a thought as Derby hates any kind of jointed bit)

Derby had foot problems and we thought this could have been a reason as it reduced after treatment so this could be a contributor.Does it only happen in the spring and summer or is it all year round? Hope this has been of some help!!

Cat + Derby xxxx

[Dina]

It pretty much just happens when I try and get him to turn and he does'nt want to.I suppose I am just going to have to be firm with him as amz suggested.I will start riding in a martingale too,hopefully he gets over his issues and stops it when I am riding him.Thanks for the help:)

[galadriel]

Ah--

It is entirely possible that sometimes he doesn't want to turn because it hurts. Even if he's on something for his back, he still could have other problems. Back problems can be elusive.

There can be multiple other physical reasons for a horse to toss his head. One would be rein contact. This is an excellent article on rein contact and how to make your horse happier about accepting rein aids:
http://www.horse-sense.org/archives/200104201932.phtml

The type of bit, the fit of the bridle, the tightness of the browband can even have an impact on your horse's responsiveness/resistance to the bit.

I would not ever put a martingale on a horse who is head tossing.

If he really is just tossing out of resistance, then you can refuse to allow the tossing with your own reins. You can brace your hand against the pommel and hold the reins firm. Doing it this way, you have the option of releasing if he panics or if he truly cannot stop himself.

If he tries to toss his head and meets with unyielding resistance (martingale), he may panic and fight it. He is already displaying *some* kind of issue related to his head movements--whether it is physical or behavioral, restricting his head with a firm attachment may cause him a lot of distress (and may cause injury to him or you).

Notice, too, that one of the things that was a factor in derby day's horse *stopping* the head tossing was removing the martingale.

[Dina]

Ok,Thanks for the advice.:)