How do I train a horse not to be headshy?

Question

I am relatively new to horse ownership. I bought a 15 yr old gelding that I have learned is very headshy. It takes several tries and pushing down on his poll to put his halter on him in the pasture (he doesn't try to run away or anything, just lifts his head). We had a very difficult time giving a dewormer paste because he didn't want to let us put it near his mouth. The vet had to give him 4 shots of sedative before she could float his teeth -- even then she couldn't finish all the teeth because he kept throwing his head.

While he was sedated, the vet showed us ways to massage the roof of his mouth, ears, and cheeks to get him used to having his face touched. Now that he's not sedated, he's back to throwing/lifting/moving his head whenever I try to do these things. Of course I'm not strong enough to force him to hold his head in place, so how do I get him to let me even start doing these things when he moves his head away as soon as I try?

Answer 1

My horse does that too! You simply firmly say no noow you quit! When he keeps lifting your head. Let him no that you are the boss. If he listens to you and quits reward him by petting him on the neck, most horses hate being pet on their face. If that doesnt work, I'd ask his previous owner

Enjoy:)

\Teresa

Answer 2

Well, it truly depends on if your horse is truly headshy or is just being a brat. Some horses know that they can get away with not doing something they don't want to do by being brats. Your horse probably relates the halter to work and probably doesn't like the taste of the dewormer. Or he may have had a bad experience in the past with a mean owner or an accident, in which case, you should be super nice and gentle about his little fears but firm at the same time. I'd try lots of treats and "baby talk" so he learns it's ok, and consistency. Also, with the help of someone more experienced, you might want to try a humane twitch or a chain across the nose so you have easier control. Good Luck!

Answer 3

You have to just keep touching his face until he's used to it. Stroke him gently all over his face. I find it works best if you start on his neck and work up to his face very slowly. If he throws his head up when you start approaching his face, go a little further, then back and keep petting him until he relaxes, then stop, walk away and leave him for a couple minutes. If you have a stall you can put him in, this would be best.

Good luck.

Answer 4

My filly was extremely head shy...my gelding was pretty shy too and still is but he doesn't react explosively anymore.  

Lots of rubbing and touching.  Touch and retreat.

No aggravating soft touches and not hard mean ones.

Just firm *petting a large dog*  This way they know you aren't sneaking up on them.

Rub between the eyes only at first.  Rub and walk away.

Come back and rub then walk away...over and over until you can stand there and rub rub rub and he is not showing any reaction.

Next...(with a halter on) hold the cheek pieces and jiggle it around.  Walk away.  Repeat over and over.  (I had to leave the halter on my filly since she was so explosive and this has paid off)

When you can accomplish the above two things without a fuss do this step:

Rub between the eyes, jiggle the halter....rub between the eyes and swipe a hand quickly over an eye (I say "EYE" before I touch that area to warn them what's coming.  Works great when I do fly spray on my hands..they know it's coming and close their eyes).  Rub between the eyes and walk away.  Repeat over and over til both eyes can be swiped and he stands calmly.

Now...do all of the above and slip a hand up along the jaw to behind the ear.  When he lifts his head away from you just retreat a smidgen and rub...rub rub rub....when he calms down retreat, rub between the eyes and walk away.

Do this again later (give him a few to think on this)

Repeat until you get closer to the ear and can now run a hand over the ear.  I say "EAR" before I touch it too (not softly mind you or he will toss his head up)

When he allows you to do both ears without throwing his head you want to just stick your hand between his ears and rub his forehead that way...walk away.

Next...touch him all over his head, no rhyme or reason to where.  Give warning when about to do the EYE, or EAR.

NOW...standing at his side, holding the lead, take one hand and hold it up in the air...then drape it over the top of his neck so that it's on his other side..in his other eye.

Rub it on his side and up his neck.  Retreat.  Do the other side.

If he handles that fine then stand off his shoulder and toss the leadline over his neck.  Do both sides.

If he is great with that now do this:

Stand in front of him and twirl the rope so that it flips over his head.  Flip it back. Do it over the left then over the right.

It will bump his ears and over his eyes if it lands awkward, etc.

Over and over til he just doesn't move his head.

Now...stand closer to him and put some pressure on that lead to get him to lower his head down.  The second he does, let off the pressure. Rub between his eyes.

Do it again.  Rub.

When his head is down rub through his ears (poll)

Kneel down and see if you can get him to lower his head down to you.  Rub and repeat

Time to go to haltering.

Lower his head (pressure on the poll with your hand)

He lowers and you rub.

Repeat.

Bring out the halter now and have it prepared in your hands..ready to go.  I always use the poll strap (what is that called again?) and hook at the buckle behind the ear.  I never slide over the ears and hook the snap under the chin.  I don't like all of that pulling on the ears.

When he lowers his head, slip the nose piece over his nose then take it off.  Rub, walk away.  Repeat.

When he is really good at doing all of the above, slip that halter on and buckle it.  Rub his face and sling that rope around...rub between the eyes, take the halter off, rub again..walk away.

When he is accepting of that you need to introduce new things to his head area.  Crinkle paper, rub it on his cheeks then between his eyes..show him tools and odd weird things...Go slow and easy.  Give him time to adjust to what you are asking.  

He may just need that extra time to digest this before grasping onto the idea.  Slow and easy and be respectful.

He will come around and see that you are not going to put him in a death type of situation...YOU have it under control.

My filly is now letting me stick my fingers in her ears and she lowers her head for haltering.  The first day I introduced a fly mask she lowered her head and I put it on...ears too!

I STILL have a halter on her as she's not ready to graduate.  She still has alot of skittishiness in her previous horrible training.  Poor thing is a wreck.

On another note....

I got a new vet and all of my worries were cured.  The horses hated the other vet.  He was not 'horsie' if you know what i mean.  Didn't 'talk' to them.  Just did his job and left.

Sad

EDIT:  Someone mentioned horses hate their faces petted.  That is not correct.  I mention rubbing between the eyes alot as this is a soothing spot for them..as is their withers.  Their moms used to rub them there to soothe them when they were scared or upset.

Their shoulder/chest/under neck/croup/belly are the worst places.

Especially the chest.  It's their blind spot.  (I'm sure you know most of what I have said but like me..when I'm in that situation I tend to forget alot!  That's why I ask my buds..they refresh my memory!)

Answer 5

Horses that do this have usually had a bad experience with someone hurting around the head area.  I usually halter and tie them, then begin petting them on the neck until they get scared and begin to resist.  As soon as they toss their head, I back away and when they calm down I begin again.  If I can move my hand up further than before along their neck, I stop and give them a reward, a carrot, a horse treat of some kind.  I keep doing this everyday to build their trust.  It may take awhile, but time and patience can work wonders.  Soon, you will be able to work your way all the way up to their head.

Answer 6

Okay rule number one that I have seen almost every horse person do is when hosing the horse off, they spray them in the face. DONT DO THIS worst mistake of your life(lol) take a sponge and wipe his face off. Also spend a little while with him each day, pet his back or neck and wait until he is comfterable then you can work your way up to his head (take this slowly!) and get him comfterable with someone handiling his head. REMEMBER you dont know everything about his past. but dont reward him with carrots when he lets you pet his face you dont want him to eventually get demamding(have dominace over you) so talk to him in a sweet vioce when he lets you get even close to his face so he knows you wont hurt him. GOOD LUCK! :D

Answer 7

Google "Linda Tellington-Jones" and try her T-Touch while working with him..he will come to like having his head "touched" in the manner that she works bodies!!.

http://www.lindatellington-jones.com/

You'll work with your horse a little at a time each day.  Make sure your "energy" is one of being relaxed...share that with your horse.  You can work with him on his shoulders, moving up his neck, a little at a time, until you begin to reach his poll.  Take your time and don't push it...he'll come around eventually as it feels just so good!!  It will enable you to be "one" with your horse...I've seen her use her methods on three day horses as a way to assist in keeping them relaxed during competition.



Good luck!!

Answer 8

start by scratching his shoulder, ignore any head throwing or grunting ( mine did that a lot too) and just gradually scratch your way up his neck.

Make this a regular thing - improvements are not going to happen overnight but just keep working at it. Make a big fuss around his ears, stand scratching while you're talking to people, on your phone or he's eating - whatever just make it like it's no big deal.

With my horse there was no way anyone could touch his head over the stable door or do anything - now I can put the hose between his ears to wash his face. It just takes a lot of calm, patience and persistence.  He will start looking for you to do the scratching for him.

Answer 9

I second T-Touch

Answer 10

:) I rescued a blind stallion who had been very abused, and he was both head, and leg shy. Here is how i fixed it:

Everyday, pet him. Stay on his body. Each day pet and groom him, each time moving just a lil bit closer to his head. Just an inch or two a day. Eventually he will allow you to groom and pet his face. Save his ears for last, as that seems to be many horses' weak points.

After he trusts you enough to walk up to him and place your hand on his muzzle, then work your way up his face to his ears, using the same slow work.

you can email me if you have anymore questions.

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