my pony developed vicious head shaking due to stress while on box rest and now is turned out full time!
How long will it be before i start to see it easing off??
thankyou in advance! xx
I would try getting a massaging this neck, it will relieve and relax his muscles and if that doesn't do anything try finding a person that is trained in equine therapy. Let me know how it goes. :)
Sometimes it could never go away. There are certain way to handle and correct that manor. BUT MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO IT IN A POSITIVE WAY! Hitting the horse or snagging on the reins can make the problem worse. Does the pony do it while you are riding or just when he/she is standing there? If it is while riding then hold firm on the reins that way when they move the head they pull their mouth themselves but do not jerk the reins that could hurt the horse. If it is while just standing there then try to gently hold the head of the pony and make a strict toned noise every time the pony goes to shake its head. I hope that you can break this habit safely. Good Luck!
I'm not sure what country you are from but if you live outside the USA check your pony for lice. In the US we use Ivimectrin (spelling) which clears this up after two does but outside of the US it's not used as much. I got a foal from Canada and 5 or so months later of watching this guy shake his head for reasons I couldn't figure out it was determined he had lice YUCK !!!!! Again easy to get rid of but still YUCK .
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I feel it's hard to say 100% that your pony is shaking his head due to stress. I would also have his teeth checked.
Ponies can show teeth problems is so many odd ways which mimic so many other issues.
If all medical issues are ruled out and his health is good I would try riding him. Everytime he shakes his head correct him by making him move in another direction or a new move. Take his mind off it in a productive way. Maybe some time in a round pen also would help. As he shakes make him turn, stop anything to take his mind off of this habit. Over time this should work but it could be a lot of work for you.
You didn't mention way he was stalled for so long. If it had anything to due with an injury (pain) I would recheck that issue.
Good luck.
K
PS If all else fails tie something noisey to his mane so when he shakes he finds it unpleasant. Something safe like a can with pennies in it with the top taped is an idea.
I really wish you would have giving more information, like does he shake his head while riding him, while he is running free in pasture, while he is eating.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
if he shakes his head while riding than it could be the bit you are using if you have changed bits or if it has been a while since he has had a bit in his mouth. if you do not use a bit while riding than it could be that he is just use to the rest and is not ready to work just yet again.you will have to do small warm ups before a ride to get his attention and to pay attention to you and the head shaking will stop if this is the problem.
if he shakes his head when he is free in the pasture than he could just be playing and be glade to be running free in the pasture.
if he does it while he eats than he could have an abcess or a sore jaw if he was cribbing at all.
so it depends on alot of things, like when the head shaking happens, if you have changed any equipment, how old he is, and things like that so you did not give enough information for me to properly answer this question. if you want to re-post the question with this information and more than i can help you.
