Headshaking Question...

[LizScott]

Ok, I'm a bit confused about headshaking. I have a seasonal headshaker ie he starts in spring and stops in the autumn. He only started this last year so it's all fairly new to me but it is obviously very distressing

The thing I find confusing is that I have read posts on here and elsewhere, where people have reported massive improvements from changes to tack (bitless bridles, larger browbands, double bridles, removing the flash strap etc). If a change in tack "fixes" the headshaking does that mean that these horses are affected all year round?

My gelding only really headshakes when being ridden which would lead me to think that it has something to do with tack or discomfort somewhere BUT all through the winter he is totally fine, so surely it must be something to do with an allergy?

Arrrghhh! Very confused

Any suggestions/explanations/advice appreciated!

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

The only way I could reduce my boys headshaking was to put on a face mask whilst riding. I can't see how tack would cause the condition headshaking. Yes, a horse with badly fitting tack may headshake as a sign of pain, and once it is fixed they will stop. But this is not headshaking the condition, rather headshaking as a result of pain. Perhaps thats what they meant? I have found a full face mask including nose net to work wonders. Some people also use supplements.

 

[Damnation]

I have always thought that headshaking came from a pollen type allergy. I ride a horse like yours. Fine in winter but spring to autumn he headshakes and gets hayfever like symptoms. (Red runny itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose.) Alot of people find nose nets benificial becaus I gather it helps to stop the pollen from irritating the nose. You can buy ones that attach to your bridle and they are dressage legal I **think**

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

They don't really know what causes headshaking. One theory is pollen, however its not proven and with my boy it seemed to be more due to the bright sunlight, which is also another theory.

 

[LizScott]

Unfortunately nose nets and fly masks make no difference to him at all

I think mine is classed as an idiopathic headshaker and research has shown that headshaking isn't necessarily caused by an alergy but often by percieved pain (this is what I can make out from what I've read anyway

)

I don't see how my boy can be suffering from an allergy when he doesn't headshake at all in the field at any pace - trot, canter, gallop BUT ridden in the same field, at any pace, he'll headshake like a loon

Again, this all points to discomfort somewhere but he's completely fine in the same tack, no changes to diet etc throughout the winter!!

 

[Lou23]

My horse is a seasonal head shaker (I think only had her 6 weeks) as only just started.

I think some tack can make the head shaking worse because its pressing on the sensitive/inflamed areas.

I'm going to try taking the flash strap off, also a jumping fly veil and possibly thinking of comfort head piece.

I have also tried nose net but not much help and also shaker gard but not been on it long enough yet and also having problems getting my mare to eat the supplement.

Also looking at other suggestions from my earlier post today.

 

[mik]

Midges, small flies and dust cause my lads shaking and a nose net cures it, then he usually forgets about it if we are concentrating.

 

[janinek1981]

JBJ - Youre not alone.
Sounds very much like a seasonal headshaker. Sometimes this is hard to distinguish from an allergy/ or photic headshaker. You have the EXACT same problem as me... Im still tryin to find a solution.
Please read:

Anyone who suspects their horse to be a headshaker of any kind (there are around 60 causes) needs to become a member of the HEADSHAKING GROUP on YAHOO GROUPS. You need to have a yahoo email but its so worth it. A horse can start headshaking at ANY age but the average is 9 and is more often than not in geldings. One thing to be aware of is that it is very likely that a headshaker is in pain. Awful to hear I know as I own one but the quicker you realise this the better for him/her and you can get set to hopefully diagnosing the problem, although around 80 percent of horses are never completely diagnosed in full. This is because there are so many factors thought to be linked to headshaking. If the problem is found to be a head trauma in the past or an allergy then things can be done fairly swiftly to combat disorder, however if your horse is found to be anidiopathic headshaker ie a headshaker of unknown cause - many unfortunately are - things arent quite so simple and you may go through a million 'remedies' to find that nothig is completely successful. I wish, ultimately that my pony Tom never started to HS but failing that I would have settled for him doing it later in life as when he started really nothing was known about headshaking and so it continues for him 7 years on.
My advice to anyone who is suspicious their horse could be a HS is to do all of the obvious ... ie check back/saddle/teeth/bit etc, and if that is all fine get serious about finding a cause. Yahoo group - headshaking - has lots of ideas to help reduce headshaking with hundreds of members who are feel as sad and helpless about this condition. My pony was once a brill competition pony but showing has gone out the window due to HS. He NEVER headshakes in the winter to the point where I almost forget how bad it gets in the summer. Vets inspections have resulted in him seemingly being one of the most fit and well welsh cobs going for a 16 year old and its been said he will go on to a cracking old age whilst still being ridden but whilst HS continues we have good days and terrible days.. and so it goes on.
I could tell you all I have found out on here but it will take ages. Please register with the Yahoo group and look at helping your horse/pony.
Headshaking is a VERY serious misunderstood disease which it is thought can cause severe pain in the horses Trigeminal nerve in the face, so do your best for your four legging friend as soon as you can.
Kind regards