Headhaking investigation -what happens?

meleeka

meleeka

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It seems my cob is a headshaker :( It seems to be sunlight/heat related and only really obvious when he goes faster than a walk. He's not in any work at the moment, but as he's insured I think it's worth looking into getting him diagnosed/treated. He's 19.

Because he's basically a field ornament (which may or may not change), I'm reluctant to put him through lots of treatment so wondered what the process of diagnosing is? Obviously the vet will watch him 'in action' so to speak, but what next? He has a regular chiro who hasn't found anything wrong in his heck/neck area, or indeed anywhere else.
 
I'm sorry I have never had a headshaker so I have no idea how the dx is made or what it entails

As it isn't incredibly urgent would it be a good idea to do a bit of research and find out who is the best of the best in your area, someone who it really is their point of interest and has incredible experience and knowledge on their chosen subject, you could ask your vet to refer you once he comes out and rules out other things causing the problem
 
Will your insurance cover that for an older horse? Mine would only cover injuries when the horse was classed as a veteran (at just 16years old!). Might be as well to check before you start if you haven't already.
 
MrsNorris said:
Will your insurance cover that for an older horse? Mine would only cover injuries when the horse was classed as a veteran (at just 16years old!). Might be as well to check before you start if you haven't already.
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He's covered up to 20 which is why I'm thinking about it now, rather than leaving it.
 
MrsNorris said:
Will your insurance cover that for an older horse? Mine would only cover injuries when the horse was classed as a veteran (at just 16years old!). Might be as well to check before you start if you haven't already.
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Well done you. I never considered that ^^
 
meleeka said:
He's covered up to 20 which is why I'm thinking about it now, rather than leaving it.
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Do you mind me asking who he's covered with? Hoping to have a new horse fairly soon and will be looking for cover. My oldie, he's 20 now, isn't covered anymore but has his own bank account where I put the premiums I would have paid out.
 
He's with Scottish Equestrian Insurance Services. I think you'd need to take out cover before they are 15 though. . Petplan also do cover til 25, but only if taken out before 20.
 
Headshaking is a nightmare - I didn't realise how bad it can be until I had one & I wouldn't wish it on anyone...
I had a headshaker - I kept a diary & wrote down weather conditions, temperature, symptoms & severity & at what time daily for a couple of months - this helps ascertain triggers if possible.
My vet looked at my horses teeth & eyes but found nothing. We then X-rayd his head looking at teeth, sinuses etc. We also scoped him to see airways and guttural pouch and nerve blocked his trimegal nerve to see if it improved the Headshaking.
After finding no answers from the initial investigations (& I had tried lots of different things at home), my vet referred him to have a CT scan - they did 4 hours of investigation, including a trimegal nerve block higher up.
The option of PENS Therapy was talked about at first - it can help but isn't a cure. Sadly this wasn't an option for mine as he was so bad.
I can't remember the exact title but if you do a search on PENS Therapy there's a thread that I started that goes through various things that I and others have tried re Headshaking & is also quite informative re PENS Therapy.
Good luck, I hope you can get to the bottom of it with your boy...
 
Dazed'n'confused said:
Headshaking is a nightmare - I didn't realise how bad it can be until I had one & I wouldn't wish it on anyone...
I had a headshaker - I kept a diary & wrote down weather conditions, temperature, symptoms & severity & at what time daily for a couple of months - this helps ascertain triggers if possible.
My vet looked at my horses teeth & eyes but found nothing. We then X-rayd his head looking at teeth, sinuses etc. We also scoped him to see airways and guttural pouch and nerve blocked his trimegal nerve to see if it improved the Headshaking.
After finding no answers from the initial investigations (& I had tried lots of different things at home), my vet referred him to have a CT scan - they did 4 hours of investigation, including a trimegal nerve block higher up.
The option of PENS Therapy was talked about at first - it can help but isn't a cure. Sadly this wasn't an option for mine as he was so bad.
I can't remember the exact title but if you do a search on PENS Therapy there's a thread that I started that goes through various things that I and others have tried re Headshaking & is also quite informative re PENS Therapy.
Good luck, I hope you can get to the bottom of it with your boy...
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Thank you for replying. I found the thread and wanted to say I'm so sorry for you having to go through all that. It was heartbreaking reading, especially because nobody could have done more and it still didn't help :(

It has given me the information I wanted. Thankfully mine is very mild (to the point I've been accused of imagining it), but it's obvious to me. im not sure how far I'd take the investigations, but will have a chat with the vet and cross the simple things off the list. Hopefully it'll be one of those.
 
Meleeka hi

I own a 'headshaker' mare and for two years I struggled to find answers, with all due respect to my vet. he could only suggest a fly mask and anti-histamines ! He just didn't have an answer.

After much research and taking down notes and making observations I think I have found a solution for my mare.

when did the head shaking start ? have you owned your cob for some time and it has started ? What does he do ? Does he nod and flick his head when resting/standing still ? does he have watery eyes ? Is he worse at this time of year ?
 
May be no help to you but I didn't put my pony through a lot of investigations, I started him off on antihistamines and a nose net...and it's turned him from a lunatic into a happy horse.
 
Sorry on my phone so can't highlight my answers, but thank you for trying to help.

texel said:
Meleeka hi

I own a 'headshaker' mare and for two years I struggled to find answers, with all due respect to my vet. he could only suggest a fly mask and anti-histamines ! He just didn't have an answer.

After much research and taking down notes and making observations I think I have found a solution for my mare.

when did the head shaking start ?

He was in light work when it started, in May as I remember (not this year. It does seem seasonal).

have you owned your cob for some time and it has started ?

Yes he didn't used to do it when I first got him.

What does he do ? Does he nod and flick his head when resting/standing still ?

He flicks his nose mildly only at trot or canter, as if there's an irritation. It also looks like when they are trotting and it's raining they hold their head in to avoid the rain. He's fine at rest,

does he have watery eyes ? No watery eyes.

Is he worse at this time of year ? Yes it's definitely worse if it's sunny and he's hot, either through exercise or because of the temperature. He's a black traditional cob so does feel the heat
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I have some Loretadine to try which I was planning on asking the vet about, I just wanted to be forewarned before she starts pushing for all sorts of investigations.'
 
Morning. I'm another who has a confirmed headshaker. My vet wanted to go down the Ct scan route followed by, if appropriate, referral for PENS therapy. Before taking this action I have had him on antihistamines and Pollenex. This has been so beneficial that he is now being brought back into work and all is going well. I have also now bought a Micklem bridle though I'm not sure whether that is for my peace of mind or whether it is also ensuring his comfort. Whatever works is all to the good!
 
For people who want to avoid the cost of a Micklem, I have a suggestion to try. I've got a mild pollen activated head shaker that it seems to work well on, with a nose net on bad days. Looking at a Micklem, one of the biggest things out does is stop the cheek pieces flapping as the bit moves. It's possible to tape/ tie the cheek pieces to the noseband or the noseband strap, and it stops it doing that. Two cable ties cost a lot less than a Micklem :)
 
What treatment have you tried, OP? Cetirizine (hayfever allergy pills from most supermarkets) usually helps head shakers with a pollen allergy which it sound your horse may have.
 
My horse is beginning PENS therapy Monday

You need to google EquiPENS treatment for horses headshaking and it brings lots of info up x
 
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