Nodding

[Anne]

Hello All ...

Just before I get off to bed, can anyone tell me if it's possible to tell if a horse is suffering back pain, if head nodding seems a little "extended" or excessive? The horse I'm riding at the moment fiddles with the bit after about 20 minutes riding, and I noticed that when someone else was riding her in a group, she seemed to stretch and nod her head rather more than the others. I'm not sure if this could be her particular conformation or if she has some pain in her neck or back. I have to say she doesn't appear to be in pain, and I may well be imagining something which isn't there ...

Would like to hear your comments?

Anne

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usually you can tell if a horse is sore in their back by running your hand over the saddle area putting pressure on the horse. Watch her reaction. Also watch her reaction when you put on the saddle and tighten the girth.
I don't know about the leaning and nodding though. If it's a beginner riding her mabe she gets bored after 20 minutes. Maybe too much pressure is asserted on her mouth and this is her way of saying "lighten up!"
if you want some ways to stretch your horse's back out e-mail me (serendipity_16@hotmail.com) i'd write them now but i'm nodding too.
:)
Allie T

[Anne]

Thankyou for your reply Ali T ... I always run my hands over a horse's body before putting on a saddle, as I do think they can develop sore spots from time to time. However, there doesn't appear to be anything at the moment below the withers, but she does seem to have a "tightness" on the left side of her neck, about half-way down and about 4 inches down from her mane, and she "quivers" in this area if I touch it.

She isn't a horse that likes anything but the lightest of contacts, and will "fiddle" with the bit whoever rides her ... and as far as I know she isn't ridden by beginners.

It's difficult, because the horse isn't mine ... just about to be taken on loan, and I've learned from experience not to mention anything like this to owners because they can sometimes be very defensive, even if there Is something wrong.

What do you think?

Anne

[intouch]

Have a look at www.bowen2000.com (http://www.bowen2000.com) for info on a remarkable therapy which has helped a lot of horses, as well as humans. Very few horses get through life without some degree of back pain, and many competition animals also suffer restriction in the shoulders and sacrum. Bowen is easy to learn, and I can highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in wholistic health for their horse.

[Frances]

I have a horse that nods if you put a novice who thinks he/she knows it all.

It is his way of saying he is bored and it really winds up the rider when he does it!

He would never do it with me, because he knows my reaction - ie to collect him, get him going and get him interested in his work.

He only nods to communicate that his rider is boring and he is in charge and the rider is really just a passenger. If you put a complete novice on his back, and lead him, he is as good as gold and would never nod!! He knows his job is to behave and look after his rider as he/she has no control at all. It is just the mediocre ones he does it too, and it makes them work harder and listen to him.

[Anne]

Thank you for all replies, but with respect Frances, I'm afraid no matter how experienced you are, the kind of "nodding" i'm talking about she would still do with you at the moment ... I still think that she has a back or neck problem ...I've ridden horses when I was less experienced who have nodded, evaded the bit, tanked off with me hanging on for dear life, and the rest of a long list of "tricks" our beloved equines can get up to ... but I'm wise to them all now ... not that I haven't still a lot to learn .... but then don't we all unless we are a little conceited?

Anne

[Anne]

Forgot to mention ... "intouch member" ... will visit site mentioned ... I'm always very open to different approaches ... the old ways can work, but are somewhat inflexible at times, not to mention the people who refuse to accept it.

Anne

[Frances]

With respect, I am not being conceited, I am telling you about one of my many horses (I have 19) and his behaviour in the hope that it might give you a bit of insight into your horse and his nodding problems.

I never said I knew it all, but I do know my horses, it is my job to know my horses very well before I put members of the public on them and take their money for the privilege.

All horses are different but I thought the whole point of the forum was to share experiences in the hope that it would help another.

[Anne]

My apologies Frances, I was not getting at you I promise but I have had difficulty with some people in the past who seem to think that unless you have been around horses all your life you input or insight, or whatever you like to call it isn't worth much, and it's upsetting, not to mention frustrating if you have an instinct that something is wrong and you can't get through the inflexibilities of attitudes still existing.

I hope you'll accept my apology ... it was not my intention to upset you .... :) :) :)

Anne

[Rachel R]

Anne,
Are you about to have this horse on loan? If so, I would definitely get her back checked. Especially as she is tender. Horses can have back trouble all the way along the spine from poll to top of tail. A freind of mines horse had started to buck when she mounted, and the problem turned out to be in the crest area, rather than around the saddle as we had expected. Even if these is nothing wrong, it would put your mind at rest and allow you to start looking for another cause.

Rachel

[Anne]

Thankyou Rachel :) Some good advice .... I'm going to mention my worries to the owner, and even if there doesn't prove to be anything wrong, it will as you say make me feel better .... you obviously understood and I thank you for that ..... :) :) :)

Anne