Advice please-is head shaking seasonal?

[Horseantics]

My horse keeps rubbing his nose on his legs on hacks and tosses his head about, jerking, snorting as if something in his nose, he has a discharge from one eye, not alot but it crusts in one corner and the pink bit in the corner seems ragged. He has been doing this for a few months and i thought it was worse in the summer but after riding yesterday he does seem uncomfortable. I want to get the vet out but friends say there is nothing wrong with him, i am going to get the vet but wondered if anyone else experienced this.

 

[Steorra]

Head shaking can be seasonal but isn't always - it depends on the cause. I'm no expert, and as such would call the vet if I were in your situation. However, here are a few points to consider.

Headshaking can be seasonal because it is sometimes caused by pollen allergies. You could try him on something like pollenex and a nose net to see if that improves things. From what I understand it is a little bit like hayfever. Sometimes horses headshake as a kind of overreaction to flies, which could also be seasonal.

It is also worth making sure that he is not being irritated by his bridle, or uncomfortable in his mouth, and that his saddle is still fitting correctly.

There are other causes of headshaking, and some horses headshake without any traceable cause. I know a horse who headshook because of a polyp somewhere in her nasal cavity, which was successfully removed. I seem to remember being told that it can also be a neurological issue, though I can't vouch for the accuracy of that.

Try the obvious stuff first, but speak to the vet if none of it helps.

 

[Flicker]

There's a really good anti-histamine on the market that is specifically indicated for head-shaking in horses. It is sold under the brand name Periactin or something like that (your vet will know). It is more expensive than Piriton etc, but is very good. Prescription only I think.
Yes, my chap does the occasional bit in summer - it is more common in most horses in the summer.