I recently purchased my first OTTB. Earlier this evening I noticed she was bobbing her head as well as simultaneously turning it in circles. I can’t distinguish if it’s because she just recently cut her head and it’s her stitches bothering her or if it’s boredom? She lives in a run-in so she’s not confined to one area, but idk if she’s bored, frustrated, in pain, or anxiety from being the only horse around? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
thanks!
Could it be due to bugs?
I don’t think so. The bugs aren’t bad and are never on her face when she bobbes her head around.
My sisters tb did this, he also weaved. You would see him doing this anytime he was stressed, bored, hungry, etc. He bobbed when under saddle too. Usually when standing in a line at shows or when stopped on a trail.
I’m assuming from your post that this is not an “under saddle” activity. The head booing usually happens when there are small flying insects around. They need not be near the face, just anywhere around. The head twisting is part of it, unless it is on of those “I’m going to twist my head off my neck” so common in arab and TB, running loose in high spirits, or irritation.
I’m hoping you had a PPE on her.
I do not know about the head bobbing, but I hate to see one horse alone. All horses need buddies — and racehorses are inundated with horses everywhere. Possibly stress from being in such an unusual environment?
Do you plan to get your horses a friend?
There was a horse at our farm that did exactly this.
It is just like any other OTTB (or not off the track TB as well) habit. Similar to weaving or pacing, it’s what that particular horse does to exhibit stress. I don’t believe there is any way to cure it (and it is kind of sad to watch). The horse may not be settling in, or she is just so used to doing it that she does it without thinking.
I know it’s been suggested by just about everyone on COTH, but if she bobs her head, has any sort of a dull coat/ribs showing she may have ulcers that are bothering her. It’s a very stressful life to be a racehorse, with lots of “rocket fuel” (high energy grains) fed to them, so ulcers are very common in OTTBs.
Head tossing syndrome? I have a gelding on cyproheptadine as each year we start a head tossing spree that goes from April until October. Seen them react like a quick bounce, to a full head up and down to a circular motion. Good luck and hopefully it is something simple!
if you mean head tossing and not head bobbing (usually diction used to indicate the neck/head activity associated with lameness), it is quite common in OTTBs.
mine head-tossed a LOT when he was first off the track (and on stall rest for track related injury) as in so much I was afraid he’d smack his head on the ceiling or crack his neck or something… over-time it has slowly disappeared - i have not seen him do it in the past 6 months.
re: horses being alone – while not ideal, most race horses during race season aren’t turned out next to or with other horses… so, i would not say it is the ROOT of your problem however it is a problem that should be fixed shortly. horses do need companionship - if you can’t afford another horse, consider a goat - lots of track horses have their own goat 
I have an older stallion who does this. Randomly bobs his head while in his pasture or being ridden. It’s merely a habit as there is nothing physically wrong with him. He does hate bugs so maybe he thinks there is a bug around? OTTB’s are confined to stalls most of their lives on the track and therefore can develop weird little habits to occupy their time. they can go away with time
I have a Paint who from day 1 has always tossed her head around. Unless she’s really working hard jumping on a tight course she’s always tossing her head around. The person she’s leased from says she’s done that for the 9 years she’s had her prior to me getting her. Sometimes it’s just a bad habit you aren’t going to cure.
That said one of my trainers has an OTTB that will throw her head but only when something is wrong. This last time it was her one tooth, yes, ONE tooth! that was a little off. Rosie is a great horse but she’s a little weird that way. If it’s not a habit have her checked out fit the stupid little things.
Best of Luck!
