Headshakers - drug trial.

[Loubiepoo]

Next year my vet is hoping to get funding to carryout a trial of a drug (Cetirizine - antihistamine) that we've been having great results with for diagnosed headshakers, but he could do with about 20 people.

I've 'spoken' to a lot of people on here about headshaking and said I'd let him know of anyone that may be interested in taking part. I know that lots of you have tried antihistamines before (as had I) but this is the only one that seems to have had any effect of my horse and several others under my vets practice.

The trial will take place over 6weeks and you would need to be able to collect the drug or placebo every 2 weeks from doncaster, 3 journeys.

If you are interested please PM me.

 

[FeatherPower]

Might be a silly question but could you define a 'headshaker' please? Mine does some odd things when we ride sometimes and I am wondering if he falls into this catagory?

thanks!

 

[Loubiepoo]

I think my vet is looking for DIAGNOSED headshakers, i.e already been seen by a vet and deemed to have this condition. I'm afraid doing odd things when ridden will probably not be classed as this.

A headshaker often presents with symptoms from as mild as nose rubbing, to vertical unvoluntary headshaking and jerking. Trigger factors are thought to include such things as pollen (hence worse during summer months) bright light and stress/pain.

If you think your horse maybe a headshaker I would advise you to contact your vet

 

[FeatherPower]

Ok that sounds similar - the jerking up and down thing was apparent in summer, not all the time but occaisionally. will investigate further. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

 

[teabag]

My sister is likely to be interested - he has my mare's son, who was destined for great things in the show ring until he started headshaking just before HOYS last year. She has had to turn him away this year as he was unridable.