Head Shaking

[Liz09]

My horse has been a head shaker now for over a year, and I have been trying everything to try and prevent it. Had everything checked, tack, teeth, back etc with no problems. Finally she had an endoscopy which confirmed allergic rhinitis. She was put on a beclazone inhaler (3 puffs morning and night) which worked for a little while, but then stopped. The vet then put her onto ventipulmin, which she is having morning and night, but it is not having any affect. I ride her in a nose net and i have changed her bedding from straw to rubber matting with cardboard. The vet has now said that the next option is to put her onto steroids. However, due to the risks, i really do not feel comfortable doing this and have said no until i have done more research. The vet has also mentioned there is a new drug coming out later this month for head shakers, does any one know anything about it? I am also now taking her off hay and putting her on haylage to see if this makes a difference. I have asked the vet about allergy testing, but he said it is very expensive and has a very low success rate for head shakers. Has anyone had this done? If any one has any advice, it would be hugely apprieciated!

 

[gemjar82]

Hi there
My horse has also a diagnosed headshaker but i get away with wearing a nosenet all the time, field and when riding and i also feed him Naff easy breathing its a herbal suppliment and it really seems to help. Im afraid i have no experience of and vet treatments.

 

[teddyt]

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=548606
www.hydra.dgsca.unam.mx/fesc/matrlsttr/florencia/NEW%20HOPE%20FOR%20HEADSHAKER1.doc
Does this help?

 

[Liz09]

Thank you gemjar. I did try the herbal suppliment by Global Herbs for headshakers, but it had no effect and was very expensive, so it has kind of put me off! But I will definitly look into the Naff one.

Thank you for the links Teddyt, I can't open the second one, but the one above is very interesting and has led me on to lots more articles. I will definitly look into Cyproheptadine as I hadn't heard of it before.

 

[kellyeaton]

there are some homeapathic remendies that ment to be very good!

 

[teddyt]

The second one was to do with a study by derek knottenbelt, liverpool uni. Hes done alot of research into headshaking.
Dont know why it wont work now!

 

[mtj]

Horse and hound recently covered a new treatment for head shaking in its vet section

Cambridge university vet school has been treating horses with eye drops.

this is specific to head shakers who are light sensitive ie don't like looking into bright sunshine. I'm hoping to try it for my mild head shaker.

The best thing i have done for him is to move him from a yard on chalk, to home which is clay - different insects/plants .

Hope this is of some help.

 

[EQUISCENE]

Unfortunately I had to make a hard decision and have a severe headshaker PTS after 7 years of trying to find treatments and the causes to alleviate her severe symptoms and give quality of life. One of the things I tried was allergy testing at The React Equine Clinic in Dorking - they highlighted several different allergens which she was allergic to and recommended injecting small amounts of these to build up her resistance - after following their instructions for 3 months with absolutely no improvement I moved on to try something else. Treatments I have tried included drugs for epilsepsy which worked for a while, course of steriods no change- accupuncture, homeopathy, herbal and over the counter hay fever nasal sprays which gave the most relief.

I recently saw a new product at BETA called Nostrilvet which is a powder you spray into the nostrils this turns to gel and coats the inside of the nasal passages, the manufacturer claims it enhances the protective purpose of the mucous membrane and recommends it for headshakers - it may be worth a try www.nostrilvet.com

 

[embonaught]

That looks interesting. Mine is a seasonal headshaker, it's not usually too bad but last year was absolutely terrible thanks to the amount of rape growing round here. The nostrilvet stuff looks like it's worth a try. I also use some different homeopathic remedies (I'll have to dig the bottles out to find out what they are)
Does anyone have any experience with using bee pollen and aloe vera? Someone recommended this last year (by which time it was too late to have any effect) but to be honest, aloe is pretty expensive when it comes to horse quantities!

Thanks

 

[Liz09]

Thank you for all the advice, it has been really helpful. I saw the vet again today where i asked about Cyproheptadine, however he said that this used to seem like a cure, but recent research has shown that it's effectiveness is wearing off. He said he is going to a conference at the end of March for an introduction of a new drug designed espcially for headshakers, and is going to let me know if it looks any good. So I will post on here what is said about it! However, i also showed him the nostrilvet info and he had never seen it, but said that it looks like it could work. So until I hear about this new drug I may give this a go!

I haven't heard of aloe vera, but for seasonal headshakers some of the remedies i have come across are: wearing a nose net, feeding local honey (it must be local though), putting vicks vapour rub or vaseline around the horses nose, nasal sprays, or getting the horse to inhale Friars Balsam before riding, however I haven't tried these as mine doesn't seem to be seasonal, but may be worth a go!

 

[embonaught]

That'd be great if you could let us know how your vet gets on at the conference.
I'm going to give the nostrilvet stuff a go and see whether it helps. Will let you know how I get on with it.

Embo

 

[StinkiPinki]

One of my friends has tried the NAF shake relief on her mare and it worked so well l i was really suprised as headshaking is supposed to be incurable!)

Her mare was so bad she would hide in her stable to get out of the sunlight, and was completly unrideable, i used to feel really sorry for her.
With the NAF one my mate was able to ride her horse again all through last summer and she looked loads happier.
So, hope she dosent mind me saying, but highly recommended!!

 

[annunziata]

Naff do great product I kow they ran some good trials on it and got some great response. My horse is a seasonal shaker I get away with using global herbs good luck!

 

[duggan]

We've got a horse on loan for my friend, he was a known headshaker at certain times of the year and it was controlled with a nose net and not riding at prime times.
We're finding though that even in winter he shakes. We've ridden at night, and during the day with no real change. It is better with a net and flash noseband on, but sometimes getting a decent session from him is impossible. I'd really like to continue with him as in a lot of ways he's lovely, but i'm worried that come the proper spring and summer he'll be unridable. Has anyone heard of the headshaking becoming a habit? There really is no factor that is consistant, and i'm starting to wonder if he's worked out that by tossing his head and front feet he gets out of work. Because sometimes he'll start, then be great for half hour. I'm reading everything I can, as I'd like to give him every chance here!

 

[embonaught]

I did wonder if mine was using it as an evasion. She can be quite stubborn and when I bought her (end of april time) she started to chuck her head around. The first year I put it down to evasion and my muppet riding skills.

The next year she wasn't so bad but I did notice that she'd started head tossing around the same sort of time (she'd been fine over the winter) so tried her in a nosenet which helped but didn't stop it altogether. She's got progressively worse unfortunately and last year was treated for asthma owing to the huge fields of rape growing next door. (I'd also taken her off her magnesium supplement - however, she's back on that as people with hayfever take a magnesium supplement. That maybe contributed to the symptoms being worse last year, who knows)

This year I've moved her and am determined to crack it - she's started rubbing her nose already but I know it's because it's uncomfortable. Just wish I could find something that works!

Sorry, that was a bit of a ramble

 

[atot]

Mine started headshaking last year in August. We had everything done, including a brain scan, but nothing worked. We did some 'experiments' and it seemed to be related to stress. She is not normally a stressy horse, but when moved to a new stable, or to a new field, she starts the head 'tick'. It was never violent until you rode her and asked her to do something she didn't want to do it. Also, whenever she was schooling she would do it, but never whilst jumping/barely out hacking. The yard she was at was incredibly stifling, and she was bored stiff, despite my asking to do more jumping and hacking, the YO insisted that is should be 'schooled' out of her. I was furious, especially as I had asked for Chloe NOT to go in the school and see if there was any difference, so we moved her up to friends in Gloucestershire, and she stepped off the lorry and never did it again. She leads a full on hunting/jumping life, and has never been happier! Perhaps a more drastic decision - moving - may make a difference. We know other people who moved and their horses just stopped immediately.

Best of luck, I hope you can find something to help. When I posted about the same problem I got lots of helpful replies.

 

[Halfstep]

I had a really interesting revelation about my boy's headshaking this winter. He only does it in summer out hacking, but I've never really gotten to the bottom of it. But I was riding him in the outdoor in the snow a few weeks ago and he started headshaking. The snow landing on his muzzle or ears seemed to trigger it. So I'm guessing its tiny flies that cause it and he's hyper sensitive. Basically I can't hack at all on grass between May and October

.

 

[embonaught]

In that case, I'd try a nosenet, it might help with the flies. Alternatively, try making one with some tights - that'll be an even finer mesh than you'd get on the standard nose nets...

 

[Liz09]

I can completely relate to you Trufffles. Mine is a very stressed horse and I think she is also very bored at the yard I'm at. She started windsucking a few years back because she wasn't getting enough field time, and the yard is also very stressful as it is a riding school and livery yard. I have thought about moving her, even though I really do love it there. But I've gotta think about her on this one. I have a few more things up my sleve to try, but if they don't work I think I may have to. After how bad she was today it was really upsetting. She also rarely does it when I'm out hacking, but if I am schooling it normally starts after the first or second trot, along with snatching the reins to itch her nose and sneezing. Today I planned to school, but it started before I even got on :-(

 

[Angelbones]

My daughter's pony would appear to be a type of headshaker, although he only does it when ridden.

He's been relatively ok over the winter but this week he has started 'twitching' as if he has something in his ears/nose. He is ridden with a nose net all year round which I am sure helps.

He was allergy tested last year and it turns out he does have very bad allergies to tree and grass pollens amongst many other things, so he has been having the monthly desensitizing injections and by the summer we should know if they have been at all effective. He is also allergic to soya so we have changed his feed.

I have analysed the things that seem to trigger him, and stress is a big factor, as is being asked to work harder than normal and to step outside his comfort zone with flatwork, and he seems very sensitive to bright sunlight. He does it much less with my daughter on board as she doesn't exactly ask him to perform, and he also does it somewhat when he is excited / frustrated, eg out hunting when he just wants to get on with it and not stay at the back. Some of it I am convinced is him throwing a tantrum. He was bad in the school today, just bouncing his head up and down with the motion then moving to his shoulders and losing all forward momentum, so we took him out to the field and worked him there instead and then popped some xc jumps with the rider (small adult trying to emulate my daughter's riding style!) not using too much leg, not worrying about aids, just letting him get on with it, and he stopped chucking his head around at all. I think he'll always have issues as he's that sensitive type but as long as he can still be a good all round pc pony for my daughter then I'm happy.

 

[badgerdog]

I don't know about veterinary treatments but my last horse was a seasonal headshaker, from around April to September and it seemed to be activiated by tiny flies. I used a nosenet with a flash and I found that NAF Shake Relief did work for him. It's expensive stuff but was a godsend last summer.
Good luck with your horse, it's a frustrating problem.

 

[CharlotteRS]

hi

I'm writing a feature for Horse magazine on headshaking and would really like to talk to about your problems and if things have got any better.

If you're interested in being included in the feature, could you drop me an email with your contact details and I'll give you a
charlotte@herdesk.org

thanks v much

 

[CharlotteRS]

hi

I'm writing a feature for Horse magazine on headshaking and would really like to talk to about your problems and how things have got any better.

If you're interested in being included in the feature, could you drop me an email with your contact details and I'll give you a
charlotte@herdesk.org

thanks v much

 

[CharlotteRS]

hi

I'm writing a feature for Horse magazine on headshaking and would really like to talk to about your problems and if things have got any better.

If you're interested in being included in the feature, could you drop me an email with your contact details and I'll give you a call
charlotte@herdesk.org

thanks v much

 

[CharlotteRS]

hi

I'm writing a feature for Horse magazine on headshaking and would really like to talk to about your problems with your horse, and how you came to the hard decision to have her put down.

If you're interested in being included in the feature, could you drop me an email with your contact details and I'll give you a
charlotte@herdesk.org

thanks v much

 

[doris2008]

This is the same conclusion I have come to with my tb Halfstep. I originally thought it was pollen but it seems to be flies. He is extremley hyper sensitive.
The only thing which works for me is wearing one those big fly fringes with white dangly bits - it completley stops it - I presume the fact they move around distracts him from seeing the flies! Works a treat! Obviously competing is not an option of the summer really.

 

[Liz09]

Angelbones, that sounds so much like mine. If I go for a hack and just let her plod around she is fine. However, if i try to school her on a hack or in the arena, headshaking and sneezing comes into play. As soon as i let her go over some jumps she stops. As soon as she is stressed, the headshaking starts. She got into a fight in the field yesterday as I was bringing her in and it was non stop headshaking after that

Unfortunately, I have just been on the phone to the vet who has said the conference he went to about this new drug sounded rubbish

I can't remember the name, but he just said it was a feed suppliment containing vitamin B6 which is meant to lessen the effect of an allergy. However, he said it is still being tested and just sounds like a big con. So back to square one! I've been trying Nostril Vet, which I think has worked ever so slightly. However, it suggests that it can be given every 3 hours! Which I can't physically do. However, when she does have it more often she does seem slightly better. My next aim is to try her on Ucerax which is like Piriton apparently. So fingers crossed this time!!

 

[BridgetMiller]

Hi
Just wanted to add to postings, all very interesting it just goes to show how many different things can cause head shaking. My horse has just started headshaking or at least he has done it in previous years but only in very bright conditions.Now he cannot be turned out in the sun or bright light as he gets very distressed. I can ride him in the mornings and he is fine but as soon as the sun gets up he starts. i put him out this afternoon but he soon wanted to come in and started cantering around his field. When i got him in he stands with his head turned away from the light or with his head in the corner. I have ordered some nostrilvet to try in case it is pollen. It can be very windy and he still does it so don't think it is flies. i am also seriously thinking of getting a guardian mask (guardianmask.com) as this cuts out up to 95% of light to see if this helps. I see from a previous H&H article that Cambridge University have had some success with eye drops, may in time try that.

It is a very frustrating time and I hate to see my horse so distressed so must try everything I can. have not had vet as yet as don't think he will necessarily have any answers either. I had a horse about 15 years ago who turned to head shaking but hers was entirely different and did it all the time mostly when ridden. Makes me feel it is something I do to them.

 

[Liz09]

The guardian mask looks interesting. I'm unsure whether it would work or not on mine because when we did the endoscopy in her nose, it showed inflammation. Can sunlight cause inflammation?? If you do try it, please can you let me know how you get on? My horse has been on Ucerax for about 6 days now, and it seems to have reduced the shaking, but she has started sneezing and sometimes making a little grunt noise. However, yesterday she only did about 5 sneezes and no shaking when I was schooling her, which is a vast improvement! I hope you manage to find the answer to yours 4leggedfriend, because I know how frustrated you feel!

 

[BridgetMiller]

Thanks Liz, I think it is great that people with similar problems can share them, there is certainly lots of ideas to try. My horse was unrideable this morning and when he got back to the stable stood with his head in the corner again. I have put his haynet at the back where it is a bit darker as he will not come to the front of the box. The nostrilvet I ordered turned up this morning and I am going to try that to see if I can desensitize his nose. Not sure what he will think of me trying to get the powder up his nostril. i will let you know how I get on. Can't get the mask before the end of next week as supplier is waiting for it to come in. Will keep a note of what you are trying too.

Have to try and get to the bottom of it and at least try and manage it as he is such a good horse, the best I have ever had.