Head shaking?

[TheChestnutThing]

Has anyone ever experienced sudden onset head shaking only when ridden at trot and canter?
We have a 12 year old 17.2 Anglo European gelding that suddenly out of nowhere last Monday started throwing his head up and down so badly in trot and canter that he all but pulls you out the saddle.
Teeth were done 4 weeks ago and checked by vet on Tuesday
Chiro was done 4 weeks ago and having a follow up on Monday
Myotherapy every other week
Saddle was checked weeks ago and a new saddle purchased
In a relief bridle with a copper elliptical that hasn't changed and he was happy in that
Vet has been and we have had a 2nd opinion from a different vet.
Diagnosis was head shaking.
Was advised to use nose net for 2 weeks and if that doesn't work owner must take horse to Newmarket for work up.
Vet says it is not back and not legs and not neck and not hind end.
Horse is sound and flexes sound. Lunges perfectly. Vets checked all of this and saw him ridden.

Any ideas from anyone who has experienced this?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I've seen your post elsewhere on here, and posted my contribution to it.

Sorry you're in this position btw

 

[Red-1]

Do you still have the old saddle to try?

 

[Zuzzie]

My horse (now sadly departed) suffered with seasonal head shaking. It would start in the Autumn. Sometimes he would react as if he had been jabbed with a cattle prod - from his head down to his leg. It was worse on sunny days as I think he was photosensitive. Try putting on an all in one fly mask (black) with an integral nose net and ear covers - it may help if it is light related. As far as I am aware there is no cure for headshaking.

 

[Bradsmum]

I too have a seasonal headshaker who is photo-sensitive however he would also be headshaking when he is lunged so could it be something to do with saddle (new & old)? During his bad times I keep a fly mask with nose net on him and ride in this also combined with NAF Shake Relief which seems to relieve the worst of it. I did try him on antihistamines which helped for a while but their lasting relief wore off. Sorry you are going through this but it's strange he only does it when ridden so there might be another factor.

 

[pastit]

Suggest you try a thermo camera, some iphones have this. Stand the horse indoors for an hour without rugs and see if you can pickup any hot spots. Compare imagery with another horse if thats possible. I had a headshaker all year round, worse in bright light, but that was because the sunlight gave him a whopping headache ( can't prove it but I'm certain). His root cause was a front hoof, poor conformation & pedal osteitis, but because its all linked, he had poll and TMJ soreness. His thermo images were interesting.