Why does my horse throw its head up while riding in summer?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse is throwing its head up while riding in summer, flies are often a big part of the picture, but they’re not the only possible cause. It can also be linked to irritation around the face, tack fit, sensitive skin, or a response to bright light, wind or exercise.

The pattern matters. If it only happens in fly season, after grooming, when wearing certain tack, or in bright sunshine, that gives you useful clues about what to check next.

Things To Check

1. Notice when it starts. Is it worse at certain times of day, in sunshine, near hedges, after turnout, or once you’ve started working?

2. Look for signs of irritation on the face, ears, eyes and muzzle, such as rubbing, twitching, redness, swelling, scabs or discharge.

3. Check the bridle, noseband, bit and headpiece for anything that might be rubbing, pinching or sitting unevenly.

4. Think about whether the behaviour changes with different tack, different riders, a different field, or when flies are heavier.

5. Watch for other signs of fly annoyance such as stamping, tail swishing, head tossing, skin twitching or trying to rub on your leg or the arena fence.

6. Consider whether dust, sweat, sun glare or a strong wind might be making the horse more unsettled while ridden.

7. Check whether the issue is new or getting worse, especially if it’s started suddenly when nothing obvious has changed.

Common Causes

Flies and midges are one of the most common reasons horses throw their heads up in summer. Some horses are simply more bothered than others, especially around the face and ears.

Tack discomfort is another common cause. A noseband, bit, browband or headpiece that’s rubbing or sitting poorly can make a horse avoid the contact by tossing its head.

Eye irritation, facial sensitivity or general skin irritation can also make riding uncomfortable, especially in bright weather or where insects are active.

Sometimes the trigger is environmental rather than physical. Heat, glare, wind, dust or a change in routine can make an already bothered horse more reactive.

Less commonly, ongoing head shaking can be part of a more persistent sensitivity problem that needs vet advice if it keeps happening despite sensible management.

What To Do

Start by keeping a simple note of when it happens, what the weather is like and which tack you’re using. Patterns often become clearer after a few rides.

Make sure the face, ears and eyes are clean and free from obvious debris, and check that grooming isn’t leaving the horse more irritated in hot weather.

Review tack fit carefully, especially if the horse seems happier in one bridle and worse in another. A minor fit issue can become much more obvious in summer.

Try to reduce the horse’s exposure to obvious triggers where you can, such as peak fly times, bright glare or dusty work areas. Shorter, calmer sessions may be easier while you’re working out the cause.

If the behaviour is mild and clearly seasonal, that usually points towards management factors rather than anything sudden. If it’s changing, escalating or happening away from the usual fly triggers, it’s sensible to get it checked.

Products That May Help

If summer flies seem to be part of the problem, products chosen for seasonal horse care may help support your usual routine and make day-to-day management a bit easier.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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