Head shaking. Any ideas?

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HaffiesRock

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My mare shakes her head quite violently. Only ever when ridden and in a head down and right up again way. Just once every minute or so, then she stops.

My riding instructor says it could be an allergy and to try a nose net. What do you think?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
It does not sound like a typical allergic reaction that is usually more of a flick or twitching action and would often have other signs such as rubbing nose on legs they can become quite distressed at times and do alot of noseblowing when the pollen is very bad and are sometimes better on rainy days.
Have you had her teeth checked recently? it could be that her bridle or bit is not comfortable.
It may be worth getting a physio or chiro to look at her she could have a tight muscle somewhere and is trying to stretch, they can have a problem in the poll area.
You could try a nosenet but the main season for pollen has now just about gone and the symptoms will usually go on their own during the winter.
 
my tb was a headshaker. my advice would be get teeth checked first ,if this is a new thing for your horse have a chat with your vet, i had tremendous results with hayfever eye drops (must have sodium chromoglicate) used every day (£1 from asdas) :):)
 
There is also a facial nerve that can cause severe head shaking. One of my clients got me out to check teeth which were fine, so then had the vet out. Facial nerve blocks stopped the shaking so he's off to liverpool to have the nerve surgically treated.

Good luck, i hope you find the cause.
 
Mine head shakes from march to october - brought on by bright sunlight and anything airborne. He has a nose net and I also school and hack out in a full fly mask - the black equilibrium one with uv protection - he doesn't head shake at all using this. I'm now riding in the evening so it's dark and can ride without the mask or net.

His isn't an allergic reaction to pollen.
 
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