Headshaking diagnosis - gutted

Your mare sounds as if she is sensitive but the smoke has made matters worse, possibly added to by a change of yards, she may well still have some sensitivity from the smoke inhalation, I moved to a yard where the muckheap was on fire smouldering for months and was unwell for a long time as it irritated my lungs, has the vet suggested treating her as if she has an airway problem, it may be that it will settle considerably once she has had more time to fully recover, she may still be a headshaker but it could reduce to being very minor after a few months of being away from any triggers.
 
If she were mine I would be tempted to do a course of bute and antibiotics.

Bute - to calm down any remaining inflammation the smoke may have left.

Antibiotics - As a precaution against any remaining smoke residue annoying her inner airways, possibly leading to a small infection.

Getting rid of the clover asap would also help.

Plenty of good ideas on here to discuss with your vet.
 
I unknowingly bought a headshaker eleven years ago. He still got to elementary dressage despite his problem. I tried hundreds of pounds worth of stuff. Mine was actually diagnosed with a pollen allergy. The only thing that gave him some relief was a raw onion a day. It opens the airways. I didn't think he would eat it but he gobbled it! He barely headshakes now he is retired! Hope you find a solution x
 
Charlie007 said:
I unknowingly bought a headshaker eleven years ago. He still got to elementary dressage despite his problem. I tried hundreds of pounds worth of stuff. Mine was actually diagnosed with a pollen allergy. The only thing that gave him some relief was a raw onion a day. It opens the airways. I didn't think he would eat it but he gobbled it! He barely headshakes now he is retired! Hope you find a solution x
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Onions are poisonous to horses, so perhaps not the best idea!!
 
Charlie007 said:
I unknowingly bought a headshaker eleven years ago. He still got to elementary dressage despite his problem. I tried hundreds of pounds worth of stuff. Mine was actually diagnosed with a pollen allergy. The only thing that gave him some relief was a raw onion a day. It opens the airways. I didn't think he would eat it but he gobbled it! He barely headshakes now he is retired! Hope you find a solution x
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MasterBenedict said:
Onions are poisonous to horses, so perhaps not the best idea!!
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They are toxic in a similar way to garlic yet people still feed garlic to horses, it can cause anemia and is not great for the hind gut, I would not want to feed either but if it relieves the pain of headshaking then it is probably worth it in balance, many drugs are toxic or poisonous if used incorrectly or long term, as long as we are aware of the side effects they are safe enough to use.

I think with the onion eater I would reduce it and keep a check on him just in case he becomes slightly anemic as he may then be prone to other issues, certainly keep it in mind if he does become unwell in any way as it could be a contributory factor.
 
So your vet didn't examine her teeth, scope her, do anything to rule out other causes of headshaking? I'd go down a lot of diagnostics before I accepted the horse was a true headshaker - and the fac tsmoke set her off would make me wonder if a lot of it is not just a reaction and might settle
 
SusieT said:
So your vet didn't examine her teeth, scope her, do anything to rule out other causes of headshaking? I'd go down a lot of diagnostics before I accepted the horse was a true headshaker - and the fac tsmoke set her off would make me wonder if a lot of it is not just a reaction and might settle
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He did lots of checks, including eyes, teeth, jaw, wind, heart, ears, etc. He wants to come back to scope and X-ray.
 
I can understand why you are gutted but it doesn't necessarily mean it's unmanageable, there are lots of different things that can be tried.
If it helps a good friend of mine jumped her head shaker clear around Burghley this year
 
Frankie cob has said it really it doesnt hurt to give a good handful of salt to the horse and could be the answer just make sure they have access to clean water as it will make them thirsty. Mine have a table spoon of salt in every feed it make itt clear to me that they are getting all they need and cannot do any harm. More if they get very sweaty or it is really hot weather as it makes them drink and keeps them hydrated. My farrier and I were discussing this one day last week he was very interested and was saying that while he is working hard he adds salt to all his food but if he has a few days off all the food tastes really salty although it hasnt any added. We also had a chat about bananas as he once did a diet which involved eating 10 bananas a day he said he craved salt then too and felt distinctly twitchy
 
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