Head Yanking at Walk

[midnightsecret]

Hello all

Comments

[ihorse]

If she's had time off recently, or if she's gotten hairier, my guess is she's getting sweatier under the bridle than normal and just wants to itch her head on her legs. It's something almost all horses I ride do after a good workout in the summer and winter, when we're cooling off at the walk.

[midnightsecret]

I would think the same thing.. but she does it during warm-up too, before she's sweaty at all. :)

[ihorse]

Have you cleaned her bridle recently? If not, it may need a good cleaning, if you have, did you switch cleaning products? Are you getting all of the leather cleaner off? It could be irritating her skin.

[kudosirony]

I agree with greyskyridge.

But, something else to check, since she's been out of work, as well as the saddle, she could have simply changed shape. The other one is that maybe she's pulled something in the field or stiff from being on stall rest - she could be trying to stretch or something weird. Maybe she needs a chiropractor or massage? Why she'd only do it in the walk, I don't know, but maybe something else to think about.

[beybladesabre]

My guy does the same thing. He is due for the dentist here soon, but he's always done it to some extent, so I'm fairly positive it isn't teeth

[puddleshark]

If this is something that has only just started since she came back into work, it may just be that she has lost muscle, and isn't quite strong enough to cope with what you are asking. Have her back & saddle checked. Keep schooling sessions really short, with lots of breaks for her to stretch down. If you are riding in an English saddle, try working in a forward seat so that she can use her back fully.

If you have a horse that tries to rip the reins out of your hands, it sometimes works to have a firm grip on one rein and a light grip on the other rein, then when the horse pulls, instead of pulling you out the saddle, the horse will just pull its own head to the side.

[silverblaidd]

You need to have your horse seen by a vet, have them check her face, poll, neck, and back for any signs of discomfort or problem areas.

You need not to punish your horse. She has changed her behavior for a reason and it's your job to find out what the problem is and fix it, not abuse the crap out of her for it.

[young_modern]

dude, no one is telling her to "abuse the crap out of" her horse. chill out.

[silverblaidd]

Dude, yes, people are.

It's going to be interesting to see what happens when someone offers up a common sense suggestion like seeing a vet, though.

[ihorse]

Several people have already suggested that.