The horse’s head

THE horse’s head is quite heavy and can weigh approximately 16kg if the horse is big – this is why it is so important to train your horse to ‘carry’ his own head when ridden. When you allow the horse to ‘hang’ on a bit and you ‘carry’ his head’s weight with your arms by holding the reins, it can cause bruising and bit nips to the soft tissue inside the horse’s mouth… not to mention giving you sore arms and shoulders!

The horse’s head – or more specifically, its proportions in relation to the rest of the horse’s body – differs depending on the animal’s type. Cold-blooded horses have big heads, which allow them to additionally ballast the front of their bodies, which gives them exceptional pulling strength. On the other side, saddle horses with small heads (in relation to the rest of their bodies), such as Arabs, are perfect for long or quick runs (rides, races). Relatively small heads lessen the burden on the front of their bodies.

NODES AND GLANDS

The horse’s head is full of stuff that can affect the ability to ride in a contact, like lymph nodes and salivary glands. The ones to watch out for are the mandibular lymph nodes, the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and the parotid salivary glands.

The mandibular lymph nodes are located between the lower jawbones.

The retropharyngeal lymph nodes are located near the throat latch.

The parotid salivary glands are between the base of the ear and the jaw.

There are also the mandibular salivary glands along the upper jaw bone.

SWOLLEN GLANDS

There can be many reasons a horse’s glands can become swollen, such as local infection. If a tooth (or something else) is abscessed or otherwise infected, the mandibular lymph nodes might be swollen. Of course, an infection is bad, painful and needs a vet’s attention. Many broken teeth and abscessed teeth create painful chewing, food dropping, and a foul smell coming from your horse’s nose and/ or mouth. Regular dental check ups can help to identify any potential dental issues.

Grass! Yes, grass. Some horses have a reaction to weeds or clover in the grass that causes the parotid salivary glands to go into overdrive. Removal from the grass for a day or so usually clears things right up. ‘Grass glands’ or ‘grass mumps’ is also a term coined when grass causes those salivary glands to work overtime.

These issues can cause the horse discomfort when ridden in a contact.

It is very important to know what is ‘normal’ for your horse and if you are concerned that something isn’t ‘normal’, ask for professional advice.