This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Head Shaking including Photic and Medical Causes »
  Discussion on One solution for head shakers
Author Message

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2000 - 5:26 pm:

I recently read of a horse with a head shaking problem. The horse was nearly unrideable as it would start with the head shaking even with mild exercise.

At rest or turned out, the horse was okay.

The rider tried a great deal - meds, more aggressive training, etc.

What finally ended up working was putting a bit of nylon stocking over the horse's nostrils - whatever was annoying the horse was prevented from impinging his nostrils and going up his airways and he worked very quietly.

I've just read of where this same solution helped another rider on another board. Apparently some of the race horse catalogs have a device you can buy. Folks have fashioned their own nylon net that velcros over the nose band and hangs over the nostrils.

Sounds very exotic!

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2000 - 4:40 am:

Hi Chris,
Just for the sake of comparison, go to www.bitlessbridle.com which Dr. Cook has developed. The theory is to NOT impede the breathing which a hackamore or bosal will, or even placing a bit in the mouth.
We also wondered how many problems are caused by improper teeth floating which is more common than what we would like to believe. The bridle can make a remarkable difference.
Yes, of course I own one and have used nothing else for the last two months until my husband tried it on his "charge ahead, chomp on the bit" horse and confiscated it when both actions ceased on the first use! And, this horse defiantly has no teeth problems as he has been "done" by the dental expert at NCSU for the last 4 years.
Liz

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2000 - 11:34 am:

Hi Liz,

I probably wasn't very clear about when to use the nylon net to cover the nostrils

I don't think it would impede air flow/breathing. The idea is to "catch" the pollutant particles before the horse snorts them up into his sinuses and they impinge a sensitive area causing a head shake. It is a similar idea to people who wear a thin mask over their nostrils and mouth to avoid inhaling allergens.

This is a little different than the horse that has general difficulty accepting a bit/bridle. A horse with a problem re inhaled allergens would have periods of little to no head shaking that might come and go with seasons or be random during a ride. A horse with bridle/bit acceptance issues would be exhibit head shaking in all seasons, during most of the ride.

I should have made my thoughts more clear. I, too, have heard a lot of interesting, positive buzz about Dr. Cook's bridle. Thanks for bringing it up. Maybe you could do a product review on it?

Good to hear from you.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC