Odd head carriage

JBandRio · 08-19-2007, 04:37 PM

If that's a typical head carriage then I'd suspect something in his atlys, axis, or other cervical vertebra is out, and I'd have a qualified chiropractor take a look at him.

Redfishy · 08-19-2007, 07:37 PM

Ok teeth are being done Friday. A saddle fitter & bodyworker will both hopefully come mid Sept (schedule depending) if not late Oct.

So out of the above 3 SOMETHING should work, right?

jgrinols · 08-19-2007, 07:41 PM

My horse does a similar thing but only at a fast trot or canter. He looks like I'm jerking my outside rain. Someone actually yelled at me for pulling his head like that so I dropped the rains and he still cantered around with his head sideways. It seemed like once he realized the jig was up he stopped and cantered normally, even when I picked up the reins again. I think he just likes to get me into trouble

.

It couldn't hurt to have the vet/chiro out. I'm thinking about doing it myself, even though he is sporadic at best when carrying his head like that.

JBandRio · 08-20-2007, 05:47 AM

Something else I thought of is how you, the rider, sit. If you sit crooked in your seatbones, one hip further forward than the other, some horses will let you know by twisting their head like this.

cassidy · 08-20-2007, 05:50 AM

it does sound like a teeth issue but if he has been doin it along time it could also be down to habit

riding him in an outline on a circle will help as will some lunge work with side reins

it may be a case of getting him to build up the correct neck muscles for him to carry his head properly

bay_blnd jmpr07 · 08-20-2007, 07:26 AM

I know a horse like this...and his teeth are perfect.

Though he had a bad back injury YEARS before. He also sticks his tongue out for the whole ride.

bakinthsaddle · 08-28-2007, 07:19 PM

please keep us informed, my horse has been known to do this. We have had chiropractic and dental adjustments.At tims he has been better.

Redfishy · 08-29-2007, 04:03 AM

His teeth have been done but I haven't ridden him since. Its been way too hot. I will try to get up early one day this weekend when I don't have work/school and ride him while its still somewhat cooler and let yall know.

Vet did have a good idea. She said to ride once and see how he does since teeth are done and if he still does it, the next time give him some bute a few hours before riding and see if he still does it. That way we'd know if it was pain or brain! So if he still does it I'll try that and see.

Redfishy · 09-03-2007, 11:38 AM

Ok update:
I rode him since his teeth were done and he did a LOT better. He still tried it a few times but I think those were more habbit than anything. The only other thing besides teeth that was changed was that I was holding my hands an inch or so higher off his neck.

08-19-2007, 04:37 PM	#11
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,689 Images: 144 Blog Entries: 12	If that's a typical head carriage then I'd suspect something in his atlys, axis, or other cervical vertebra is out, and I'd have a qualified chiropractor take a look at him. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

08-19-2007, 07:41 PM	#13
jgrinols Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 344 Images: 32	My horse does a similar thing but only at a fast trot or canter. He looks like I'm jerking my outside rain. Someone actually yelled at me for pulling his head like that so I dropped the rains and he still cantered around with his head sideways. It seemed like once he realized the jig was up he stopped and cantered normally, even when I picked up the reins again. I think he just likes to get me into trouble. It couldn't hurt to have the vet/chiro out. I'm thinking about doing it myself, even though he is sporadic at best when carrying his head like that.

08-20-2007, 05:47 AM	#14
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,689 Images: 144 Blog Entries: 12	Something else I thought of is how you, the rider, sit. If you sit crooked in your seatbones, one hip further forward than the other, some horses will let you know by twisting their head like this. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

08-20-2007, 05:50 AM	#15
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,575 Images: 820	it does sound like a teeth issue but if he has been doin it along time it could also be down to habit riding him in an outline on a circle will help as will some lunge work with side reins it may be a case of getting him to build up the correct neck muscles for him to carry his head properly __________________ ive been snowballed... May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

08-20-2007, 07:26 AM	#16
bay_blnd jmpr07 Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N.Granby, Connecticut Posts: 11,058 Images: 424	I know a horse like this...and his teeth are perfect. Though he had a bad back injury YEARS before. He also sticks his tongue out for the whole ride. __________________ Semper Paratus Fiona's First Class-Oldenburg/Arabian mare Waldemar-Hanoverian gelding Illusive Legacy-Miniature filly

08-19-2007, 07:37 PM	#12
Redfishy Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: south Georgia Posts: 986 Images: 58	Ok teeth are being done Friday. A saddle fitter & bodyworker will both hopefully come mid Sept (schedule depending) if not late Oct. So out of the above 3 SOMETHING should work, right?

08-28-2007, 07:19 PM	#17
bakinthsaddle Full Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 112 Images: 5	please keep us informed, my horse has been known to do this. We have had chiropractic and dental adjustments.At tims he has been better.

08-29-2007, 04:03 AM	#18
Redfishy Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: south Georgia Posts: 986 Images: 58	His teeth have been done but I haven't ridden him since. Its been way too hot. I will try to get up early one day this weekend when I don't have work/school and ride him while its still somewhat cooler and let yall know. Vet did have a good idea. She said to ride once and see how he does since teeth are done and if he still does it, the next time give him some bute a few hours before riding and see if he still does it. That way we'd know if it was pain or brain! So if he still does it I'll try that and see.

09-03-2007, 11:38 AM	#19
Redfishy Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: south Georgia Posts: 986 Images: 58	Ok update: I rode him since his teeth were done and he did a LOT better. He still tried it a few times but I think those were more habbit than anything. The only other thing besides teeth that was changed was that I was holding my hands an inch or so higher off his neck.

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