Headshakers

Bradsmum

Bradsmum

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 May 2011
Messages
2,154
Location
Made it to Wales
Visit site
I have treated B as a headshaker for the past 2 years. He was not a bad case and I was able to ride using a nosenet. However at the end of last summer he started to show slightly more symptoms during turnout in that he fenced walked and didn't seem to relax for long before he was bobbing his head. During autumn and winter it all disappeared but obviously with the dark mornings and evenings I have not been able to ride much. Then last week with the first of the warm, sunny days the head jerks and constant bobbing were back. I had the vet down on Friday and he has confirmed B as a headshaker. We are firstly trying bute to rule out any pain related causes and then he has suggested a CT scan. Depending on the result, he has suggested referring B to Bristol University. I was initially doubtful whether to go with this as we are based in Surrey and B is 18. However having read up on the treatment and results, if we can get accepted I would definitely move heaven and earth to get there. Does anyone have any experience of the headshaking/ePENS treatment they perform at Bristol. Grateful for any feedback - good or bad.
 
I don't have experience of that treatment but one of my horses is a very mild head shaker only when ridden and my vet recommended a cranial therapist, he had his first treatment on Friday the therapist told me she has cured quite a few head shakers and it's a subject she is really interested in as she had a head shaker, it was one reason why she wanted to learn about it, she also does shiatsu massage and laser acupuncture might be something you could try.

There is a poster on here who's horse had the pens treatment I can't remember the name I know she posted some videos of before and after on you tube hopefully she will see your post and offer you some advice about it.
 
Probably a dumb question but have you tried antihistamines to rule out a hayfever cause? I have two who headshaking to different degrees. One is massively happier with antihistamines (I use cetirizine hydrochloride as the one vets prescribed was too expensive). They are both mildly better with bosenets but without the antihistamines one of them was unrideable.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I hadn't considered antihistamines but definitely worth a try as it may be the tree pollen at the moment. What sort of dose do you give KatPT and where do you get them - are they over the counter human ones? Pinkyboots, I'd be interested to hear how you get on because obviously the least intrusive the treatment, the better. I have much to think about.
 
One of my youngsters displayed headshaking a couple of years ago , vet wanted to put him on steroids but I refused and said I would try other options. I am sure it was pollen related as we had lots of rape nearby . I put him on global x and salt and within a month it stopped . As a preventive I use global x from April and touch wood has been fine .
 
Just a quick update. I started giving B antihistimes and pretty quickly saw some real improvement. He occasionally needed a top up dose later in the day but seemed happier whilst out in the field. I did not try riding during this time but spent time observing him. I decided to try adding Global Herbs Pollenex to his diet and again saw improvements. He showed no signs of headshaking until I tried working him. I have now tried him in a Micklem bridle, thought it was worth a try and I really think that I will be able to ride him again soon. He is lunging well, showing no signs of discomfort during turnout and is so much calmer. Really feels like I have my old horse back. Can't wait for the next step and getting back on. Pinkvboots, how has the cranial massage gone, has there been any improvement?
 
Great news! Mine was looking really depressed and miserable a couple of weeks ago. I think with the weather we had loads of plants came into flower at once. Now we have cut our hay he is so much brighter, so I'm hoping we have passed the worst of the pollen that triggers him and he can be relatively comfortable for the rest of the summer. He's being a delight to ride so hopefully yours will be the same!
 
Hi Meleeka. I am using Cetrizine Hydrochloride as it is one of the bog-standard, easily available antihistamines. B is a 16.3 TBx who weighs around 650kg and he is currently on 4 in the morning and occasionally gets another 4 late afternoon if he is showing signs. When the weather is hot and presumably the pollen high are his bad days but with the recent change in the weather, he has only had his morning dose and has been very settled. It was KatPT who suggested antihistamines, and I'm so glad she did because it was the first turning point for B.
 
I rode B today!!! Yay I'm over the moon as there was no sign of the head shaking and although he was obviously excited to go out, he was sooooo good. I gave him his breakfast which contains his antihistamines and Pollenex, boxed him up and took him to a safe off road hack nearby. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be able to ride him again. Thank u to KatPT who suggested the antihistamines as this was the starting point for signs of improvement. Phew, can you tell that I'm excited too :) :) :)
 
Great news OP!

I have a 4YO who can be a bit of a head shaker. At the moment I am putting it down to tiredness as when we ride she burns herself out after around half an hour and then the head flinging starts. I never noticed it last winter so am presuming it's a combination of being hot and bothered and tired. I will see how she is next summer and if there is no improvement I will definitely try the antihistamines
 
Bradsmum said:
I rode B today!!! Yay I'm over the moon as there was no sign of the head shaking and although he was obviously excited to go out, he was sooooo good. I gave him his breakfast which contains his antihistamines and Pollenex, boxed him up and took him to a safe off road hack nearby. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be able to ride him again. Thank u to KatPT who suggested the antihistamines as this was the starting point for signs of improvement. Phew, can you tell that I'm excited too :) :) :)
Click to expand...

Good news!

We are on day 4 of antihistamines. I haven't asked him to do anything yet (thought at least 5 days to see if they are going to work), so whether they are helping remains to be seen.

I did have a bit of a lightbulb the other day. I think it all started when I started using a track system. The grass in the middle is getting long and lots of flowers now. This is also where is he longreined. If I don't have the track I really don't know what to do with the excess grass but am going to try and top it and see if that helps. It would be great if it's that simple.
 
I am glad your back riding great news:) his on his 4th treatment and I think it's definitely helped he doesn't do bog standard head flip he rubs his nose and head on his knee or anything else he can but is worse when ridden, he used to stop to rub between 10 and 12 times each hack now we are down to 2 or 3 per ride which is much better, he actually feels much better all round his schooling better and he looks like his changed shape slightly he had a hanging tummy and that has really lifted so he looks much trimmer.

I have just recommended my therapist to someone else who has a head flipper he has had 1 treatment so far so will be interesting to see if he improves.
 
Wow that's a good improvement Pinkvboots. Just out of interest, have you tried a nosenet. That made a huge difference initially for B, the fly mask I used today has a nose net as well. Beth206, a nose net might be worth a try for your girl too. Meleeka, I have had B on antihistamines for about 2 months. He showed significant improvements pretty quickly but I have only just felt happy to try working him properly. Good luck everyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top