Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Head Tossing or Shaking, while Ridden
Summary
This is an inappropriate and sometimes dangerous behavior that should be resolved. It is a very different behavior than head shaking without the presence of tack and a rider.
Horses are often taught to shake, toss or bob their heads in the same way that they are taught to engage in many other unwanted behaviors. They perceive the behavior to be easier and more rewarding than alternative (desirable) behaviors. In many cases, there is a subtle release unknowingly being given to the horse when they engage in the behavior. If this can be reversed consistently, the behavior will disappear or change.
Like many other undesirable behaviors, head shaking can also be a response to pain or discomfort. A variety of physical problems may cause a horse to engage in this behavior including mouth problems (irritating wolf tooth, mouth wound, a snaffle that pinches the corner of the mouth), ill-fitting tack, or lameness due to undiagnosed injury.
Horses are often taught to shake, toss or bob their heads in the same way that they are taught to engage in many other unwanted behaviors. They perceive the behavior to be easier and more rewarding than alternative (desirable) behaviors. In many cases, there is a subtle release unknowingly being given to the horse when they engage in the behavior. If this can be reversed consistently, the behavior will disappear or change.
Like many other undesirable behaviors, head shaking can also be a response to pain or discomfort. A variety of physical problems may cause a horse to engage in this behavior including mouth problems (irritating wolf tooth, mouth wound, a snaffle that pinches the corner of the mouth), ill-fitting tack, or lameness due to undiagnosed injury.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If you want to rule out any physical issue being a factor in the behavior.
- If this problem seems severe and has come on suddenly.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If you want to rule out any physical issue being a factor in the behavior.
- If you consider this a chronic and relatively mild problem that is not changing rapidly.
your role
What To Do
Assess the horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to the back, jaw, throat and neck. Do you notice swelling or sensitivity here? Assess as well as you can for lameness. Check the corners of the mouth for sores. Assess fit of bridle, bit and saddle.What Not To Do
Do not use gadgets to solve this problem. They are never the solution. Running and standing martingales become a crutch and do not solve the problem.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Less Common
your vet's role
Your vet can help you determine whether this behavior is a result of physical pain. They may want to assess your tack and watch the behavior with you riding the horse. They will check the mouth and perform a general physical exam. If a physical cause is ruled out, look to yourself, your own riding technique and others who have handled your horse as both the cause of the problem and the solution. Engage a trainer who knows how to stop this behavior. Learn why it developed, and avoid or correct the same stimuli in the future.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Have you changed tack or type or degree of work lately?
- Do saddle fit, girth and tack look OK?
- How long have you been riding the horse?
- When did you first notice this behavior?
- Do you notice the behavior at all when the horse is not being ridden?
- Have you changed tack or technique?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Has your horse had a dental exam performed by a vet or dental tech working with a vet?
- Did you attempt to look in the horse's mouth?
- What did you see when you looked in the horse's mouth?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
