U Necks/'Star Gazing'

[humbuglx]

I posted a while ago about one of my ponies who appears to be star gazing. Since then I have taken the advice of turning him away and restarting him; which I have done. I brought him back into work gradually with light hacking on a loose rein and trying to push him more into the bridle than pulling his head in. I also did tons of in-hand work with him before I got back on him, taking him out for walks across the heath getting him to relax his head in walk and trot so that his head was just below my shoulders. However none of this has seemed to of helped or even had and effect on his way of going under saddle.
He goes very hollow so that I can't even sit to his trot comfortably. He also won't even lower his head with next to no contact and me pushing him on with my leg and seat, but then if I ask him to lower his head in walk he goes overly rounded and artificial.

He had developed a U neck which I managed to just about get rid of from all the in-hand work I did with him, whereas now it is starting to reform.
I've tried all sorts of different bits and even had him in a bitless which is supposedly meant to help (not 'cure' but contribute to curing) horses with star gazing/head shaking issues. He is now back in an ordinary single jointed loose ring snaffle and I am completely stuck with what to do with him.

He is 5 now his teeth a regularly done, he was lightly massaged last night and will be having his back checked in the next few weeks. I would also like to avoid using aids like side reins, draw reins etc. as I see them as 'quick fix' not an actual cure.

Thank you x

[showhack]

It might be worth having a scan/X-ray on his neck to see what's there. Expensive but it could surprise you.

[humbuglx]

Ok thank you, the vet is coming out soon so will ask her then.

[lccbf]

one of mine went like this when it had heel pain from having underun heels and long toes, we took the shoes off and worked without with the vet and farriers guidance and her feet have improved and she now goes sweetly and round which she hadn't done for some time. may just be worth keeping in mind some sort of front foot pain as a possibility ?

[humbuglx]

Ok, the vet is coming out soon so will be able to quiz her haha! He did have his feet trimmed yesterday though as we don't have any of ours shod; but I shall keep and open mind, thank you

[flo1]

I know you said you don't want to use 'quick fix' gadgets but do think about trying a Pessoa training aid. They gently encourage a horse to work long and low and may be of use in stretching the neck and back muscles of your horse. Pessoas are often the first thing that vets recommend with horses that have conditions such as Kissing Spines and can help improve matters so that surgery is not necessary.

[humbuglx]

I decided to give him a go in the pessoa tonight, just at walk and he went well. He didn't seem to tuck up and go artificial which is good. Only problem is he doesn't lunge, but I can work with it I guess and adapt his way of going with it on:)

[flo1]

I'm sure his lunging will improve once he is able to bend more freely.

I hope things are going well with him, it must be a worry for you.

[ashleigh19]

Have you had his back/saddle checked? If so he could possibly have ulcers. I am exploring this option with one of mine who suddenly wont go forward even on the longest/loosest rein.

[showpony16]

If he doesn't lunge, try the pessoa on long lines, really helps to build up the muscles in the right places resulting in a much better way of going.