Head shy horse.
Why can’t I touch my horse’s head?
· Some horse's have past experiences of being badly treated and beaten.
Horse confidence is lost in humans and just raising a hand in front of the horse is enough to make him on edge.
He will be fearful and anticipating a beating.
· The horse could be remembering a past experience where a bridle was put on too tight, rubbing him and causing sores.
· Check the corners of the mouth, splitting and cracking can occur causing pain.
· Has the horse had an annual check up by an equine dentist?
He could be suffering from mouth ulcers or simply sharp teeth.
If the horse is in pain he will resist the bridle being put on or any contact around the area.
· If the horse is rubbing his ears a lot, make sure the head piece and brow band are not too tight.
The horse could be suffering from mites or tiny fleas in his ear.
These creatures can suck blood and cause great irritation for the animal. A vet should inspect the ear.
· In older horses it could be an eyesight deterioration, which is causing the animal to be afraid when you raise your arm near his head.
If the horse's eyesight is failing it could make him fearful.
If the head shy horse has had a bad experience in the past and is simply afraid of you touching his head, then you need to be patient and show empathy to this situation.
The horse may have been badly traumatised.
Yes unfortunately there are still people around who will beat a horse senseless across the head and eyes; some never regain a normal life.
When the horse allows you to touch his face, reward him.
The horse will soon associate touching him with a pleasant experience.
Run your hand over his neck, walking slowly towards him and rewarding this good behaviour with a treat.
Don’t expect results overnight, he needs to trust you.
Always use positive body language, make no sudden movements, praise and reward the horse for good behaviour.
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