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  Discussion on Head tilt while eating
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New Member:
jackied

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008 - 10:27 pm:

One of my mares sometimes flips/holds her head straight back when eating. She also drinks a bucket of water along with her food(and leaves some in the bucket). She has a very thick throatlatch and cannot be bridled with much of an "arch" for very long with out it being uncomfortable, seems like a breathing issue. She has a very slight overbite but receives regular dental care. I'd like to figure out what her issue is but if not teeth, then what would the symptoms suggest?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Oct 30, 2008 - 6:40 pm:

Welcome Jackie,
I have seen many horses flip there muzzles and straighten their heads a bit while chewing and swallowing and it may mean nothing. On the other hand dozens of problems could be associated with such behavior other than tooth problems, from inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx to functional swallowing disorders. Is this a recent change or something that seems to be worsening? I certainly would start with a good examine of the mouth.
DrO
New Member:
jackied

Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2008 - 11:08 am:

I think flip was the wrong word. If you tilt your head straight back, that would be akin to what she does. And its not a quick flip movement, she holds it there while chewing a bite. Not all bites but its not a once in a lifetime thing either.
The performance problem she has is like she's not getting enough air when bridled up(arabian western style) If you let her go flatter which doesn't compress up her jaw/neck. she's OK.
Having just tilted my head back and noticing what areas are opened up,its interesting to note it would seem to the same areas compressed when bridled up.
Do you think scoping would be the correct diagnostic tool? I have had her mouth looked at and teeth done recently and in the past. Probably because of her slight overbite, she does get hooks & ramps. I think this is part of her problem, probably not the whole thing.
One more variable, she colics more (they don't) than my other horses, maybe once or twice a year.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 9:21 am:

Over the years I have seen hundreds of horses with moderate to severe ramps and hooks that do not having chewing issues. But there is only one way to rule it out: fix them and see if it goes away.

Concerning scoping, the next step would depend on the examination and to some degree what is available at what cost in your area. If the exam indicates a problem but cannot rule out oropharyngeal or esophageal problems I think there is important information to be gained with a scope that cannot be gotten from a radiograph. If the scope is negative then radiography would be next. If you wanted to reverse the order that would be fine.

A possible connection between the colics and difficulty swallowing, if that is what is happening, is if these are short periods of esophageal obstructions.
DrO
New Member:
jackied

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008 - 8:43 am:

I've pretty much decided to have this mare scoped. Now just need to decide if I want to go with my regular vet and a standing one or go to the race track vets and have a work up with the treadmill.
One more item, the mare also drinks a full bucket of water while she's eating. If she doesn't which is once in a blue moon, we watch for colic.
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