Here are some steps you should take if you find yourself in this situation:. As mentioned previously, the first step to eliminating head tossing behaviors is to determine the underlying cause. First, consider every source of physical illness or injury. From dental problems to muscle stiffness and more, bad behaviors are often one of the first signs of a serious ailment that needs medical attention. Whether you suspect that a physical ailment could be causing the head tossing behavior or not, it is wise to seek a second opinion from your veterinarian.
Ask your veterinarian to observe you riding the horse to see the head tossing first hand. Even if you have owned your horse for several years, the fit of their saddle or bit may have changed over time. Systematically work your way through each piece of tack, trying new fits to determine what piece of tack is causing the discomfort.
If you need help measuring a horse saddle for your horse, check out our article Measuring a Horse Saddle: Everything you Need to Know. Finally, it is important to constantly evaluate your riding and handling techniques, regardless of how long you have been riding.
We can all have a tendency to develop poor riding and handling habits over time. It is wise to schedule a few riding lessons each year to have a more experienced rider provide you with advice and guidance on your technique.
Owning and riding a horse is an incredible responsibility and privilege. Many bad behaviors are a sign of a serious physical ailment that requires professional attention. Head tossing can be caused by annoying biting insects, improperly fitting saddles or bits, physical and dental problems, or even a lack of exercise or mental stimulation.
When trying to determine the cause of head tossing in your horse, do research to determine the underlying cause. It will also be helpful to think carefully about when this behavior began to display itself.
While some head tossing is merely an annoyance, more extreme forms of head tossing can pose a serious threat to both horse and rider. By taking steps to correct and eliminate this type of behavior, you can ensure your safety as well as that of your horse. There are many approaches to correcting head tossing in your horse.
Some equestrians may recommend that you implement a harsher bit to correct the head tossing behavior. While a harsher bit may provide a temporary solution, it will only mask the problem. Additionally, it could mask a serious health problem that your horse is reacting to by tossing their head.
Why do horses shake their heads while resting? We believe these often serve only to cover up issues that will emerge through other behaviors. That nightmare scenario is a bit of what a horse experiences when they are tossing their head due to pain or discomfort and their rider responds with a tiedown or martingale. Pay particular attention to whether the head tossing behavior happens only when you are mounted and riding or if the horse also tosses their head in their stall or when turned out in a pasture or paddock.
If your horse tosses their head while untacked and grazing, you need to call the vet immediately. This kind of head tossing can be related to neurological causes or sometimes, believe it or not, even allergies! The horse should not be ridden until medical causes can be resolved. If your horse or pony only tosses their head when they have a bit in the mouth, there is a possibility that the bit or another piece of the tack that you use on your horse is uncomfortable or painful.
The bit, or how the rider holds the reins that connect to the bit, are often the culprit behind head tossing. Bit discomfort often begins to show through head tossing and mouth opening during riding, as the horse attempts to avoid bit-related pain. Head tossing can occur when a horse is ridden with an improperly fitted saddle. Not all horses are improved with nose nets. A particular horse that was getting a AMRT session and had a visible and dramatic relief from the continuous head shaking and was able to relax and have a snooze without the annoying and painful nerve signal.
Some studies show higher head shaking instances in geldings, nearly twice as often as mares. ACVIM, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis, is recognized as the leading expert on equine headshaking syndrome.
Years of examining difficult cases have led him to question why this phenomenon is seasonal-- as many as two-thirds of headshaking cases occur in spring.
Madigan says there is a rise in reproductive hormones called gonadotropins in the spring, and this is normally associated with the breeding season typical of horses.
He explains,. Geldings have no testosterone feedback, so they have higher levels of gonadotropins, like FSH follicle-stimulating hormone and LH luteinizing hormone , for a period of time. How do gonadotropins influence the trigeminal nerve?
Madigan explains, "The hormones seem to affect some part of the trigeminal ganglia, altering its chemistry and rendering it unstable. Ganglia provide relay points and connections between nerves. As normal sensory 'traffic' comes into the trigeminal ganglia, then additional triggers like light, sound, smell, or exercise may stimulate this nerve to 'fire. Madigan explains how exercise might trigger headshaking behavior: "The autonomic activity of exercise initiates a lot of activity in the nasal area, such as engorgement of the nasal turbinates and snorting that is normal to clear the nostrils so the horse doesn't inhale dust or debris.
Higher speeds and more effort ramp up stimulation within the head, each stimuli increasing 'traffic' in the trigeminal area. A horse that has gained weight, as, for example, during a layoff; A horse that does not regularly perform aerobic exercise. Measure gonadotropins LH and lower their levels by administering daily melatonin mg at 5 p. This "tells" the horse's body that it is winter. Featured Video.
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