Head shaking - Your experiences?

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HaffiesRock

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I have a mare on loan who head shakes (up and down quite violently). The owner has said it started when she was 4 year old (she is 10 now) The vet said it was her wolf teeth and she had them removed. Her back and tack were also checked and no problem found, but the head shaking continued.

She does it only when ridden and only when not concentrating. If schooling she only does it when walking, but lots of rein changes and transitions seem to keep it in check. If I lunge her with a rider (no bridle or reins) she never does it. I tried a flash noseband today to stop her opening her mouth as my instructor says she really evades the bit. Well it drastically reduced the shaking down to maybe 3 or four shakes while warming up?

And ideas what I can do? Her teeth have just been done, her back is fine and saddle fits well. I'm sure it is not pain related, and like I said, when she is working and concentrating she doesnt do it. Also she has a very long mane and forelock and so I plait her forelock as she seems to like flicking it around and this reduces it but doesnt stop it.

Any advice would be great or other peoples experiences?

Thanks
 
I have one who does this. She is 19yrs now, and has done it for as long as I can remember. We call it her 'flip-top head'.

Mine will do it anytime, hacking schooling but vary rarely whilst actually jumping, but will in between fences. It is improved a bit by wearing a nosenet.

I have come to ignore it totally, and got used to comments on her dressage sheets of unsteady head. I've never known why she does it.

It is completely different to small cob who has a pollen allergy and will twitch throughout the summer unless wearing a nosenet. This one we give piriton during summer months, and that seems to help.
 
It can be related to diet, I know of three horses (head shakers) who when their graing / diet was changed the headshaking stopped. There are anecdotal links to high potassium levels which can be reduced by removing the high potassium source (rye grass or clover) and feeding salt , definitely worth looking at this site http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/equineheadshaking/messages and there is another on yahoo.
 
The most common cause of headshaking and so often over looked, is a browband that is too short, this has the effect of pulling the headpiece up onto the back of the horse's ears and irritates the hell out of them.
If I got a pound for everytime I have found one too tight and causing headshaking I could retire on the proceeds!
Just check you can get at least 2 fingers underneath it comfortably and if in any doubt, try removing it for a while to be sure, if your horse still does it then at least you can cross this one off the list, Oz :)
 
I believe in some it can develop into a habit.

I had a TB who was a headshaker due to pollen and small flies. There were times when he did it, when there was no reason to do it - mainly when he was asked to do some work.

A noseney helped him no end - although if you do use one, you really need a flash noseband with it, as they tend to blow up if there's even the slightest amount of breeze. Doesnt have to be done up tight though.
 
Owned a Headshaker for 10 years. Most important thing is to rule out the obvious and easy stuff - you sound like you have done this to a larger extent.
I assisted in the research into headshaking at Liverpool Univ with Mr Knottenbelt, which is where I developed my knowledge and empathy for the appalling condition and beleive me it is!!!
Fortunately or unfortunately one headshaker is probably not the same as the next. All triggered by different things.
Your next step is to get a firm diagnosis. Once you have this, you can begin to work on what helps and improves the issue. Please feel free to PM me - but rule out the obvious and call a good vet to diagnose.
I can then tell you about the hundreds - yes hundreds of things I tried and the Thousands of pounds I spent on peoples promises that it was a cure - when there isn't one.
There are ways to manage it. But I feel so strongly that once you have a diagnosis, I must explain what the horse is feeling, so you understand and it will help you manage it.
 
This sounds more of a schooling issue if it only happens at the beginning while at walk, most true headshakers get worse under pressure not better.
I have seen your post in NL, if it is only when warming up/ walking she is possibly just needing to be more occupied, try some simple leg yielding, turns on the forehand, halting rather than just walking round.
She has possibly had little or no schooling during her life and you are now asking her to do things she does not yet understand. I would keep her in the tack you are using for now but work towards changing to a snaffle when she has more understanding of what you want of her. Yes it is a short cut , in an ideal world all horses would go in no gadgets, but often they have a place to assist the horse and rider get where they want to without resorting to strength.
Make use of transitions and also working over poles, that will help her to become stronger in her quarters and carry herself more uphill, it will take time as she is going to be using different muscles and also thinking more for herself.
 
I have a head shaker - 17hh warmblood who is 24 years old now. It starts in the autumn and happens when there are patches of sunlight on the ground. This is called seasonal headshaking. It only lasts for a few months fortunately. As others have said, there seems to be varying types and degrees of headshaking and different triggers. When hacking my horse will react violently as if he has been stung on the nose - sometimes it knocks him off balance and he wil stagger slightly. I believe the trigeminal nerve is to blame - it runs up the face from the nose and I seriously believe it started after he had a tooth removed a few years ago.
 
hello folks

im during my dissertation on headshaking in horses would any one be willing to sign a consent form to participant in a future questionairre with regards to head shaking causes and treatments thanks
 
Hello,
My horse headshakes from about April-Oct. It is almost certainly due to pollen. She seems to in a way do it less when she is concentrating. Yet my mother who has hayfever can relate with this. I feed pollenex from global herbs which is a great improvement.

WAL101: I will do your survey if you want
 
I would happily participate in your questionnaire.
With regards to trigeminal nerve. This is correct. This is why it is important that you get a diagnosis. I also can confirm that in the case of my mare who was confirmed and diagnosed via nerve blocks etc as a seasonal and particle and light triggered headshaker..... That she was better when schooled. But you must get a diagnosis before you can move Howard. Top uk vet in field is Derek Knottenbelt at Liverpool.
 
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