Headshaking, thoughts please

[Ladybird L]

My cob is headshaking…

She usually only headshakes (once or twice) when she is going into canter. She does it a bit more on windy/hot days. She likes carrying her head low. She also rubs her nose on her legs hard after riding, and if, eg, her headcollar presses her nose (gently!), she acts like she got an electric shock. Her eyes sometimes tear/fill too. All of this gets worse the dustier the hay as well. That’s a headshaker right?

I’m thinking dust seems like a trigger? But the windy/hot would be more trigeminal neuralgia, wouldn’t it?

She passed a 5 stage vetting in May, and has the same saddle she’s had for two years.
It’s not very bad, and doesn’t make her dangerous to be around/ride thankfully. I would like to sort it out promptly if I can all the same.

If anyone can help me decide whether it’s more likely TN or dust, or both, so I can start to figure out our plan going forwards it would be much appreciated.

 

[Equi]

Pop a nose net on and it’ll disappear as if magic. Don’t bother with the fine mesh types by Lemieux etc. I’ve found this to be the best so far:

Unfortunately I can’t give you a brand name cause I don’t know, the package was blank when I bought it.

P.s his comes on in spring, eases off in mid summer then returns for autumn. Disappears totally in winter.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Have you had a vet check? I’d do that first up
If I were you, just to be on the safe side, I’m on a few head shaking pages on FB and occasionally I read about a grass seed having been found somewhere strange and that being the cause so it has to be worth a check.
You’re lucky a net stops her, mine can’t bear to wear one and gets worse.
I tried to make my horses environment as dust free as possible anyway as it’s an easy thing to do to try and help. Dust free bedding, well as dust free as bedding ever can be. I wet his hay and just make an effort to keep cobwebs and ledge dust down.
Look at Amazon Nostril Vet. It’s a powder spray that you put up their nose. I do think that is quite good.

I try and avoid bright sun by riding earlier in the day rather than afternoon.
Play around with nosebands/no noseband
Are her teeth up to date? Does her bridle fit nicely?
Saddles, you say it’s the same one she had for two years, has it been checked by a fitter recently? A saddle that fitted two years ago may not fit now, especially with a change of owner ship, which brings a change or feed/work load/routine all of which can change a body shape so again worth checking.

Good luck!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My Arabi is a slight head shaker he mainly rubs his nose and face on things, we think its nerve damage from guttural pouch infections his is triggered by the bridle and riding but he will probably only rub his nose twice in a riding session.

I tried nose nets they made no difference he wears a very plain flat bridle with no noseband and this was the best set up for him, I tried padded and cutaway head pieces but found them worse, I feed him a big scoop of magnesium oxide everyday there are studies to suggest it helps, his also had nerve release therapy which I think has really helped it's not something that they continually need usually 1 or 2 treatments is enough, they also give you some nerve release techniques you can use yourself on a regular basis.

I find his can be triggered by stress so I try to manage him so he stays calm alot of it is trail abd error to see what works, attached a picture of his bridle that he wears.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Have a vet check, they can diagnose if it is trigeminal or allergy related. My mare is trigeminal and triggered by wind. Try a nose net but unfortunately it doesn’t work on all. The equilibrium nose nets are good and they give whisker clearance. I hope you make her more comfortable.

 

[GypsGal1718]

My Arabi is a slight head shaker he mainly rubs his nose and face on things, we think its nerve damage from guttural pouch infections his is triggered by the bridle and riding but he will probably only rub his nose twice in a riding session.

I tried nose nets they made no difference he wears a very plain flat bridle with no noseband and this was the best set up for him, I tried padded and cutaway head pieces but found them worse, I feed him a big scoop of magnesium oxide everyday there are studies to suggest it helps, his also had nerve release therapy which I think has really helped it's not something that they continually need usually 1 or 2 treatments is enough, they also give you some nerve release techniques you can use yourself on a regular basis.

I find his can be triggered by stress so I try to manage him so he stays calm alot of it is trail abd error to see what works, attached a picture of his bridle that he wears.View attachment 143606

Can you please share some details about nerve release therapy and the at home techniques I would love to learn to see if it will be suitable for Gypsie, thanks!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I did speak to B&M vets recently who do head shaking work ups. Look at the website there are video clips of the day.
The vet who does it all is very experienced and took the time to personally respond to me with details. It’s not something I’m going to do but for several reasons.
Maybe have a look at their website though. It’s interesting

 

[poiuytrewq]

Can you please share some details about nerve release therapy and the at home techniques I would love to learn to see if it will be suitable for Gypsie, thanks!

I’d also be interested please Pinkvboots!
I did have a physio friend out last week to do some release work so maybe similar?
She also used some kinesiology tape which sadly wouldn’t stick, I think due to the fly spray I’d been using- super slippery!
However he was very yawny for hours after so I am quietly cautious. I’ve ordered some tape adhesive and we will try again this week

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Can you please share some details about nerve release therapy and the at home techniques I would love to learn to see if it will be suitable for Gypsie, thanks!

Yasmin Stewart does it I think she is the only qualified person in the UK, it's not cheap but the appointment is normally a few hours as she likes to give the horse a break in between the techniques she uses, Arabi only needed one treatment and his definitely better since having it the effects are not normally instant it can take a whole to see an improvement.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yasmin Stuart Equine Physiotherapist | Yasmin Stuart Equine Physio

Yasmin Stuart Equine Physio and Balance Through Movement Method Nerve Release Practitioner UK

www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thank you!

 

[GypsGal1718]

Thanks so much

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

And in addition to the above I’d try pollinex type product for allergies.