Head shaking

[Ginnsy]

hi all after a little advice
Have a 12.3h cob 4yrs old lightly ridden so took daughter on jack at new yard one day last week and noticed he’s shaking his head a snorting which is really out of character. Checked teeth (even with head collar still shaking and snorting) so I am thinking it’s a pollen allergy as pollen is rather high where I am. Any ideas on what to do as this is the first time I’ve come across it have tried a nose net and a fly veil but not helping just wondering if any of you had some tips to try make it easier for him as seems to be a little agitated
Thanks

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Ask vet about antihistamines. Id also pop on night turnout and soak hay. Nettle powder also helps mine.

I’d also double check teeth, mine was “fine” then we later discovered via X-ray she actually had a fractured tooth but fracture was in the root so not visible to human eye alone! Getting rid of that tooth made a huge difference. Her pollen head shake is different from her tooth pain shake.

 

[webble]

Try anti histamine followed by full vet work up. Head shaking can be caused by a number of things inc teeth, tack, allergies, trigeminal neuralgia, sinusitis etc.
My advice is be very careful about joining any of the Facebook groups, there is some very desperate advice on there lacking basis

 

[splashgirl45]

also make sure his bridle fits properly and that the browband isnt too tight. it may be the same bridle you used elsewhere but its worth checking in case ,if it is pollen a tight browband may may it worse....my mare started headshaking when i moved to another yard and by investigation i discovered it was rape that caused it. i then moved to a different yard where there were no rape fields close and she completely stopped..

 

[Ownedby4horses]

As above, also, do you trim whiskers? There was a recent article on here about a lady, if I remember correctly, that almost got to the stage of PTS because of headshaking before it was realised the whisk as being cut was the issue. Lots you can check out and I hope you find the issue .

Edited to add article: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/new...n-owner-speaks-out-on-whisker-trimming-732115

 

[Rowreach]

New yard you say? That's probably key.

Has anything else changed (feed/hay/type of grass in field/presence of midges)? Is he being fed any alfalfa?

Is he getting very hot and sweaty when he's worked? Could be a salt deficiency (very easy and cheap to add table salt to a bit of feed each day - 10g salt per 100kg bodyweight).

As others have said, there are unfortunately a lot of things that cause headshaking. But I'd start with the fact that you've changed yards.

 

[Ginnsy]

Thank you for the advice I have noticed he doesn’t head shake when in stable in fact it’s like he knackered he nods off. So thinking to start with stable him in the day out at night. See if that makes a difference. I have the dentist coming next month to eliminate teeth then will go from there