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?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Anything in his ears?

 

[Green Bean]

My mare has started a bit of head shaking recently, but more when out in her paddock. There are a lot of midges about at the moment, presume you have checked? Have you tried riding with a fly veil to protect your geldings ears from the cold air? Can’t think of anything else

 

[poiuytrewq]

Has he just been clipped? I had one that would head shake horribly if I clipped his whole head and ears, he was fine with a half head.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My girly started headshaking at the beginning of this year; it started out as being only under saddle, but unfortunately we have also seen it now when she's being led.

Vet sent video of the headshaking up to Bristol Uni, and their "expert" diagnosed Trigeminal Nerve issue.

Currently we've tried everything mechanical like saddle/bridle (ridden bareback AND saddled, also with headcollar or bridle plus head & nose-nets - no difference, antihistamines, done teeth & back, tried magnesium. Now - the very very last thing to try is acupuncture which is what we've just started. It has to be done by a vet: first treatment was £125 a pop, you have to do a few treatments at a week's duration, then you can aim to spread the treatments out a bit. Hellishly expensive, yes, but right now this is the ONLY thing left to try.

There is a FB group called "Equine Headshaking Syndrome" which I have found very helpful; you may wish to subscribe to it.

Whatever, I think you need to get your vet to take a look at what is happening with your horse; it might be something simple, it might not, but I feel you need to get your vet involved with this right now.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Anything in his ears?

Nothing

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Has he just been clipped? I had one that would head shake horribly if I clipped his whole head and ears, he was fine with a half head.

He started this before he was clipped and his head has been left on

 

[TheChestnutThing]

My girly started headshaking at the beginning of this year; it started out as being only under saddle, but unfortunately we have also seen it now when she's being led.

Vet sent video of the headshaking up to Bristol Uni, and their "expert" diagnosed Trigeminal Nerve issue.

Currently we've tried everything mechanical like saddle/bridle (ridden bareback AND saddled, also with headcollar or bridle plus head & nose-nets - no difference, antihistamines, done teeth & back, tried magnesium. Now - the very very last thing to try is acupuncture which is what we've just started. It has to be done by a vet: first treatment was £125 a pop, you have to do a few treatments at a week's duration, then you can aim to spread the treatments out a bit. Hellishly expensive, yes, but right now this is the ONLY thing left to try.

There is a FB group called "Equine Headshaking Syndrome" which I have found very helpful; you may wish to subscribe to it.

Whatever, I think you need to get your vet to take a look at what is happening with your horse; it might be something simple, it might not, but I feel you need to get your vet involved with this right now.

Thank you.

As stated we have had 2 vets opinions and was diagnosed.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I’d get an X-ray on the teeth.

My mare had her teeth checked all fine. Still shook her head although seemed better with a nose net.

next dental check we found a crack in her molar which dentist reckons had always been there but started in the root (a genetic weakness rather than caused by something physical) so couldn’t be seen.

after extracted her headshaking got dramatically better.

 

[webble]

Myjodhs did you see any success with the acupuncture?