| The vast majority of times, a horse is head shy | | | | They jump because they can't see properly and it |
| because of something a human has done. It's a | | | | startles them. Remember too that the horse has |
| learned response to a painful experience. Being | | | | a blind spot right in front of him. Always approach |
| smacked on the face, having an ear twitched, | | | | him from the side, never directly in front. |
| being hit over the head with a rope, whip or other | | | | Onto the ears. Bites from flies, lice, ticks or other |
| object. Even a rider with rough hands once the | | | | parasites in or on the ear can be painful. Warts |
| bridle is on can make a horse head shy if the | | | | can be too. And then there's ear infections. Check |
| horse has made the connection between letting | | | | the ears over thoroughly, especially if your horse |
| the bridle on and being jerked about in the mouth. | | | | seems to be more 'ear shy' than 'head shy'. It is |
| But as with any evasive behavior on the part of | | | | helpful to know if your horse has ever had any of |
| a horse, it is best to first rule out any physical | | | | the above. Sometimes just the memory of the |
| problems. Why else would a horse be head shy? | | | | bite or infection, even when it has cleared up, will |
| Well it can be a symptom of a badly fitting bridle. | | | | keep a horse head shy. |
| If the bridle is too tight, it presses on their poll and | | | | And last of all, if none of the above fit, a |
| hurts. A badly fitting bit can be to blame. Or one | | | | chiropractic adjustment could be the solution. If |
| that tastes horrid. How are his teeth? Are they | | | | the neck is out behind the ears, your horse may |
| due for filing? Do they have any spikey or sharp | | | | have a raging headache and quite rightly won't |
| edges? Or any decay or abscesses? Now onto | | | | want to be touched. |
| the eyes. Poor vision can make a horse head shy. | | | | |