Horses can be exquisitely aware of the slightest sensation, such as a small insect on its back or face. Rippling of skin or an occasional head shake is a normal response to the tickling trigger of nerve endings. But, there are times when a horse can't stop shaking or tossing its head to a seemingly inapparent sensation; such behavior is known as headshaking. Headshaking behavior is thought to be caused by overactivity of branches of the trigeminal nerve that supply sensation to the face and muzzle.
A horse's behavioral reflex causes him to flip his head, snort or sneeze, rub his head, or take evasive action. All horses shake or toss their heads from time to time. Some horses, however, exhibit the behavior far more often than others. Tracking down the reason for this annoying and occasionally dangerous behavior can be a lengthy and difficult. Have an equine dentist do a thorough oral exam to make sure the teeth do not have sharp points or edges that are irritated by the pressure or position of the bit.
In young horses, the shallow-rooted wolf teeth sometimes interfere with the bit and can easily be removed by a qualified dentist or veterinarian. If the behavior occurs when the horse is asked to flex or work in a collected frame, thus having a AMRT session may benefit your horse in releasing tension and aiding in eliminating the head shaking. No owner likes to hear that his rough hands are the problem, but if the horse goes well for another person, a subtler touch on the reins may eliminate head tossing.
Paradoxically, some difficult horses perform better in a milder bit thicker mouthpiece, shorter shanks rather than one that promises more control. Other horses that fuss and fidget with a bit are far more contented when ridden in a bosal, hackamore, or side-pull bridle.
A turnout or longeing before a ride can help an energetic horse settle into his work. Some horses are sensitive to strong sunlight. This type of head shaking is typically worst in the summer but is also seen on bright winter days. A horse with this condition, called photic head shaking, may also sneeze or snort frequently, and may try to rub his nose or face against his legs or other objects.
Affected horses like to stand in the shade or at least keep their heads shaded by a barn, hedge, or pasture buddy. Some owners have found that the behavior stops if the horse wears a facemask to shade the eyes. The drug cyproheptadine and sometimes a combination of cyproheptadine and carbamazepine has been in helpful in some horses. Confer with your vet. So that it gently hugs the horses muzzle.
Free Resources. Consultation Services. Riding Academy. Who Are We? Our Students Experiences. Join the Movement! Let's talk. Course Access. Sign In. Course Links. Dental and bit issues Mouth pain created by an incorrectly worn bit or dental issues can lead to head tossing, particularly when you put the bridle on or apply a reign aid — strong or soft. Development Issues A horse that is working hollow is generally going to carry his or her head higher unless being forced into a frame, which will be uncomfortable and limit the development of your horse.
Anxiety Horses that are anxious are naturally inclined to have their heads held high on the lookout for danger. Need support training an anxious horse? Training Trainability has your answers! Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.
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