Head Shaking - prob been done before, but please help!

Django Pony

Django Pony

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 February 2010
Messages
2,657
Location
Furry-town
Visit site
Hi All,
My cob has started head shaking while hacking. I'm guessing it's pollen related as he didn't do it in winter. I know of a few methods of helping him - (nose net, nostrilvet, vaseline on the nose, lavender oil) but could you share your experiences of which have worked for you please, plus any other tips?
Thanks lots x
 
It depends what triggers it and you will have to experiment. It could be pollen, it could be midges/flies, it could be photic. With my horse who headshakes from midges and flies, what works is a human natural nasal balm in his nostrils and NAF shake relief supplement. It took much trial and error to figure this out!
 
Halfstep said:
It depends what triggers it and you will have to experiment. It could be pollen, it could be midges/flies, it could be photic. With my horse who headshakes from midges and flies, what works is a human natural nasal balm in his nostrils and NAF shake relief supplement. It took much trial and error to figure this out!
Click to expand...

Thanks Halfstep, which balm do you use? x
 
It is something called Happinose which I get from the chemist. he actually really loves having it put in his nose and I think it gives him some relief.
 
I am going through the mill with my horse and his headshaking at the moment, anti histamines work for some but you need a fair number, equilibrium nosenet best one for riding in, I have been in touch with Ainsworths the homeopathic company in London and they have been extremely helpful and the remedies they have sent so far have certainly helped a great deal. Derek KNottenbelt at Liverpool university is the leading expert on headshakers, there are also papers from lincoln Uni which are informative and worth reading. Hilton herbs and global herbs both produce products that seem to work for a number of horses unfortunately a lot of it is trial and error till you find the right combination, all the very best of luck
 
I have one who only does this whilst hacking for a couple of months in the spring. I have completely cured the problem by investing in the proper nose net. they are a tad expensive and i was lucky enough to buy cheaper second hand - i was VERY sceptical as i had tried an 'ordinary' nose net last year which made no difference. But this one has COMPLETELY cured the problem - we have been happily hacking all over the place - even next to rape fields and the tracks with blossom on the trees which were a no go area last year are no problem to us at all now!
please give it a go! x
 
INTHEGROOVE said:
I have one who only does this whilst hacking for a couple of months in the spring. I have completely cured the problem by investing in the proper nose net. they are a tad expensive and i was lucky enough to buy cheaper second hand - i was VERY sceptical as i had tried an 'ordinary' nose net last year which made no difference. But this one has COMPLETELY cured the problem - we have been happily hacking all over the place - even next to rape fields and the tracks with blossom on the trees which were a no go area last year are no problem to us at all now!
please give it a go! x
Click to expand...

Thanks. Which nose net do you mean by "the proper nose net"? The Equilibrium one? x
 
Equillibrium nose net and nostrilvet have really improved my boys headshaking, highly recommend nostrilvet but its not that easy to spray it up his nose! Worth the battle though!
 
I've tried every potion under the sun and global herbs shake free has been the best of the lot. what's made the biggest difference this year is regular shiatsu treatments for her (diagnosed) hayfever. barmy but it's worked. sorry about lack of capitals, i've got a cute puppy on my knee...
 
Hi All!

I have had a seasonal head shaker for 5 years. As others have said, each horse reacts to different stimuli and different remedies, but this is what worked and didn't for me.

After allergy testing (all negative) I tried nose nets, Vaseline, local honey, and Nostrilvet (as Charlie C said, not easy to administer, so hard to tell if it works!)

Had some success with corticosteriods and antihistamines but not enough to give up the search for something better.

YO suggested trying Nupafeed Magnesium Calmer. If you look on their website, you'll see some people who fed it found that head shaking stopped as an unexpected bonus. I am trying it now (btw, they're very easy to talk to and discuss stuff at Nupafeed) and SO FAR he's been much better. I've seen the odd twitch, but it doesn't get worse with exercise, which it use to as his breathing deepened. I haven't taken him near rape fields yet though, so watch this space....

I would keep my fingers crossed, but it's hard to ride like that :D
 
My 9 yr old horse started suddenly and violently headshaking 2 yrs ago-he would throw himself on the ground and sweat profusely as he was so distressed.We went through antihistamines which just zonked him,steroids that didnt help at all,neurological drugs to confuse his brain signals to his face costing about 20 quid a day,nosenets,nostrilvet blah blah blah to no avail.In desperation we sent bloods to a lab in barcelona who did allergy testa on his blood.He is allergic to two grass types and two types of mould-one of which commonly occurs in hay.They devised a vaccination programme for him and he is now on one jab a month down from 4,subcutaneous.He has a normal happy life again,all symtoms gone.Funnily enough he occasionally has brief fits of headshaking in the winter but this is due to a build up of the vaccination in his system when the actual allergens are not environmentally present,and only last a few minutes.Its expensive initially and now costs around 400 a yr in vaccines-small price to pay for quality of life though.I am about to get my event horse done as he has gotten progressively worse over the last two years during springtime blooming and although its relatively mild,allergies are just miserable and the horse's comfort is paramount.
 
Nostrilvet. I was highly sceptical but having tried just about everything and with a show pony you cant use a net in the ring I eventualy conceded and bought some nostrilvet to try.

Headshaking has completely stopped. I dont even have to fight to squirt it up his nose. Just shove the bottle into the top corner of the nostril with the tip pointing up the nose and then squeeze hard. Pony only objected slightly the first time and hasnt objected since.
 
it be muscle pain as well it isnt always pollen have you looked into that. sorry if thats already been said havent read all posts.
 
I had same problem ...flies/midges/pollen and even when it was windy in pollen weather .
I have a nose net but have not had to use it as since I have been feeding him a cocktail of herbs from Indian Herbs Equine ...he has not shaken his head once or thrown his legs up or anything .In fact the puffiness around his eyes has also gone.
I know different things work for some rather than others but these herbs worked for my boy But then I am a believer anyway as I feed various herbs from this company for my horses health issues.
 
I have just bought some local honey to try and have ordered NAF shake relief. Mine has only started to shake properly since the rape came out, though he is not unrideable, just gets very nose scratchy and ticky if its windy or we go near the crops. Equilibrium nose net seems to help too.

Last time I had the vet out when the headshaking wasn't really present, the vet mentioned a new drug for pollen based headshakers. Calling him on Monday to discuss horse's back issue so will ask him about it then and re-post.
 
I'm 99% certain my boy's headshaking is caused by tree pollen as it's especially bad during march winds etc. However, it does still happen year round so an equilibrium nose-net helps massively!

It is also worth checking saddle is correctly fitting, back is ok and teeth are ok, as headshaking can still be caused by general discomfort from these things. Mine was a lot worse when I first got him because the saddle he came with had been causing him a lot of pain. He improved hugely (but sadly was not totally cured) once I got him measured up and bought a proper fitting saddle.
 
I rode Fleur today for the first time in the Equilibrium nose net, fantastic!! This time yesterday I was devastated that my lovely new mare has turned out to be a headshaker, she was shaking so badly & throwing her front legs up. Today we had the most lovely ride, no shaking at all in the school & only 2 small head tosses in the field near the trees & bluebells where she was unrideable 2 days ago. Am considering starting her on the Hilton Herbs headshaking supplement as well.
 
Hi, has anybody tried the patches? Am about to give them a go as my girl is a photic, fly effected, sunshine, pollen the lot sufferer. The nose net stops her from swinging her head and neck around, but she becomes so stressed even with it on that she is verging on dangerous. She reverses into hedges and under trees to avoid the sun and I would never take her near a rape field again! In the winter she is the sweetest horse you could wish for. I tried the Naf supplement last year ad found no change. Will leave you all feedback on the patches tho. Any other tips anyone?
 
fartoomanyhorses said:
Hi, has anybody tried the patches? Am about to give them a go as my girl is a photic, fly effected, sunshine, pollen the lot sufferer. The nose net stops her from swinging her head and neck around, but she becomes so stressed even with it on that she is verging on dangerous. She reverses into hedges and under trees to avoid the sun and I would never take her near a rape field again! In the winter she is the sweetest horse you could wish for. I tried the Naf supplement last year ad found no change. Will leave you all feedback on the patches tho. Any other tips anyone?
Click to expand...

What patches are they? I've not heard of patches? x
 
if the patches you are talking about are the equiwinner patches, ive heard that they are just made out of sodium crystals, and dont they cost aroung £600!!
 
flintmeg said:
if the patches you are talking about are the equiwinner patches, ive heard that they are just made out of sodium crystals, and dont they cost aroung £600!!
Click to expand...

It's £60 for a pack of 10, which according to their website "Daily use of the Equiwinner Patch for ten days should normally be sufficient for the horse for a whole season, or up to twelve months.".

Be interested to see if they work!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top