06/01/2022
Let’s talk about head-shy horses.
It’s still usually viewed as a behavioral problem that needs to be trained out.
While sometimes that may be the case, it certainly isn’t always.
At the very least, there are measures that can be taken to make the training process much easier.
Even if, let’s say, a horse endured physical abuse to their head at one point in time.
Maybe they were hit or handled roughly, maybe they were ridden in ill-fitting bridles, maybe they were worked in biomechanically incorrect postures for long periods of time (behind the vertical in particular), maybe they have a history of pulling back when tied, or even just pulled back once.
We may think of the emotional trauma that they likely still carry with them that keeps them from feeling safe in their own head, but what about the residual physical restrictions?
It’s something that’s often overlooked if there aren’t obvious signs of trauma.
Let’s also not forget that the birthing process itself can—and often does—create restrictions in the head and neck, if not the whole body.
This is why this work is so helpful for the youngsters!
Take a look at this simple sketch of the cranial nerves I snagged from google, which doesn’t even entirely show the intricacy of the these nerves.
This doesn’t show the veins and arteries that weave themselves throughout the head.
It doesn’t show the spinal cord having to make its way through the atlanto-occipital joint, aka the poll, without restriction.
It doesn’t show the fascia.
It doesn’t show the vital glands that live in the brain.
It doesn’t show the skull itself and all the bones it’s comprised of, including teeth.
Let’s remember, all of these components must have their own free motility in order to function properly.
Think of how our halters and bridles are hanging right on many of these tissues, across the most highly innervated areas in the body.
The nosebands that are often too tight.
The flash nosebands that have no business being on a horse at all, in my opinion.
The horrible posture that we commonly see horses ridden in, even in supposedly high levels, for extended periods of time.
There are so many reasons for horses to be head-shy that it’s amazing to me there aren’t more of them.
So you’ve got a head-shy horse?
This work is thorough in seeking restrictions, whether they’re physical, emotional or energetic. Usually there are all of these components involved.
There are lots of great modalities out there, though I do lean toward craniosacral therapy and indirect osteopathic techniques, as they address all of these tissues.
The restrictions are in the clear?
Proper education is incredibly important.
My go-to recommendations for this are without a doubt are Patrick King, Warwick Schiller, Amy Skinner and Justin Haefner, all of whom take into consideration the emotional and physical state of the horse as they develop them.
In the meantime, I just encourage you to consider the intricacies of the horse.
