how can you help Head shyness?

This often arises, because old dealer / pikey types know that by screwing a horses ear it acts the same a nose twitch, but this has the effect of also making horses head shy.

Start by getting him used to having his neck scratched and, little by little, day by day, work your way up slowly towards his head. Don't overdo it, finish each session when the horse is still relaxed and has accepted the scratching. Never finish when he has shied away. If he does this go back to a place where he was comfortable, scratch, reward, then leave it. Do this all without tying him up, as if he pulls back, he will also associate tying up with fright.

I do not usually recommend treats in training, but as your boy has been badly treated, he needs to get his trust back.

This may take ages, but by doing it slowly, without pressure, there will come a day when you can wiggle his ears and scratch his poll with ease.

You are going to have to start a the beginning with this horse and gain his trust. When you go to feed him, stand there until he puts his head down to feed then back off a step or two. Do this calmly. When he figures out that you will back off when he lowers his head, you will have a place to start. Work you way closer, until you can stand about a step away from his shoulder (do this both sides - not in front). If he looks at you, back away or stand still and relax. Do this until he doesn't run when you get near him. When he is comfortable with you, reach over and touch his shoulder. If he stands still take your hand away. Next try to move up his neck step by step backing off before he moves away if possible. Until he feels comfortable with your hand near his halter, he is not going to let you put the lead on easily.

I think John or Josh Lyons have the best books on ways to handle spooky horses. Many rescue horses are at the yards because their owners did not know what they were getting into. This can lead to abuse. You are just going to have to overcome as much of that memory as you can. It is possible to do it. I have done it myself but you need patience. Each new thing has to be introduced step by step.

Most likely, when you get to the haltering, he is going to pull, especially when tied. I like the Blocker Ring for this stage of the training.

IMHO if you have not seen the underside of his rear hoofs (shoeing excluded), you are making progress and the horse is too.

Happy Trails

HorseFeatherZ

One exercise you can do (assuming you can get a halter on him)... is to put the halter on with a long lead line. Then, stand in front of him facing him with the lead line dangling. What you want to do is essentially pretend like he's holding the other end of the rope and then loop it up in the air... just like you would do a jump rope with a friend. Loop it so it goes over his head and the rope goes behind his ears or in front of his ears. You are essentially doing one of the motions of putting reins over his head, but far away.

You do not want to be doing a continuous motion... you should swing it once and let it land on his head somewhere and stay there. Then swing it so the rope falls off. Swing it again so it lands somewhere else on his head. You will have to play around with your accuracy and where you want the rope to fall. I personally think it's good if it falls so that the rope is behind an ear, over an eye, on his forehead, etc... If he gets nervous and moves around, DON'T STOP! Keep swinging the rope until he stops moving, and then "release" the pressure by stopping the rope. Do this with the rope going both ways, so he sees it in both eyes. This is a safe way to get him accustomed to things being around his head and face, but without you being so close that you might get bopped if he throws his head. The rope is soft and doesn't hurt, and since you aren't right up in the horse's space, he's able to think and concentrate on the rope without having to concentrate on you too.

By the way, just to clarify... make sure you hold on to your end of the rope. You're not throwing it at him, you're just continuously looping it over his head.

Good luck!

just maybe constantly make a big fuss over him ? touch him alot , groom him a lot , walk him on the lead to try to gain trust ect.

we had a horse that was so head shy it wouldnt put its head out of the stable door . so every day every one that went past its stable stuck there head in and put a carrot on the floor , patted it and made a fuss. people did this for months until one day we all stopped , and the horse very soon had its head out the door looking for someone with its carrot :P

i know thats not the same thing but it showed me the power of treats! so maybe sweeties ? lol x

Keep touching his head and praising him when he's good. Perhaps reward him when he's very well behaved. Hopefully he will learn that you don't mean him any harm and he will get used to you messing around with his head. If you have other horses make a big show of touching their heads so he can see it doesnt bother them.

Eliminate Social Anxiety Shyness - http://socialanxiety.uzaev.com/?ruiY

just pay lots of attention to him?