28 August 2008 16:04
My Connemara x is about 12 years old. Whenever we hack out, she starts to shake her head when we turn towards home. I find this very unnerving and it makes me tense up, and obviously she can feel my anxiety. On one occasion, she reared up in the road, which really dented my confidence.
Her behaviour is the same whether she’s alone or in company, and even when she has a different rider. I’ve had her back, teeth and tack checked and been told there was nothing wrong. She has one scoop of Dodson & Horrell Safe & Sound and half a scoop of high fibre nuts twice a day. She is turned out every day (weather permitting) and ridden twice a week for about an hour each time.
Answer
By Your Horse
Instructor Jane Baker replies:
I think your pony has a good sense of direction rather than a headshaking problem! The latter usually starts 10-15 minutes into a ride, as the horse warms up, or if a certain allergen such as pollen, triggers an attack. It also occurs regardless of whether you are schoolingin an arena or out hacking.
It sounds as though your pony gets more enthusiastic as you turn for home, and this may make you shorten your reins or take a tighter grip on them. Most horses will react to this by shaking their head or snatching at the reins to release pressure on the mouth. Find some circular hacks so you can avoid the need to turn around or try some new rides – the headshaking might stop when she isn’t so certain where home is. If you do have to turn for home, resist the temptation to shorten the reins or take a tighter hold. If she speeds up on the looser contact, take one firm pull until she slows and then relax the contact. You will probably need to repeat this several times but it is vital that, once she has obeyed the slowing aid, you reward her instantly by relaxing your contact every time. This lighter contact will also give her less to fight against. Her feed sounds a little generous for her workload. Native ponies do not usually have a problem putting on or maintaining condition, so I suggest you drop her concentrate feed to just a handful (literally) and maintain the forage – you may need to limit her grass intake if it is growing well. Stick to this for three weeks or so, alongside the ridden work mentioned above, and only increase
the feed again if she starts to lose condition or her workload increases. If, after this, you are still concerned your pony is a headshaker, then go back to your vet.