headshaking - UPDATE

[MontyandZoom]

I've been on holiday so couldn't update you all on Zoom's headshaking.

After all the worry, we ended up going to the Windsor sponsored ride and having a wonderful time! A combination of nosenet, vaseline in her nostrils and beconase spray has sorted it out. She went round the whole course and was so much happier and more comfortable (a far cry from the rearing crazy loon I had two weeks ago). I got off and walked the last ten minutes since she started shaking once she saw the box and I wanted to end on a good note.

Thank you for all the advice. Next year I will start the regime earlier and hopefully avoid her getting uncomfortable.

 

[devilinajar]

The mare i ride headshakes a bit, and was wondering what the best course of action would be. How much does the vasaline in the nostrils work??

 

[MontyandZoom]

The vasline seems to have made the most difference. I was trying to cover all bases by doing everything but i think the simplest option worked the most. She was NOT keen on me putting it up her shnozz though!

 

[tedster]

AHHHH thats Great news. Really pleased for you

 

[Toyboyroxhissox]

one of my horses headshakes ALOT.
The nosenet worked wonders.
I hadn't heard of vaseline, will try that.
Thanks!
And thats great news it worked for you.

 

[Its_A_Rollover]

aaah cool well done she must be much comfier

 

[welshied]

Welldone i tried the vaseline up my horse nose but he wasn't impressed by it lol Hehasn't been that bad the last couple of weeks so the pollen levels must be low

 

[Cliqmo]

One of the horses at the livery yard sort of twitches his head rather than massively shakes it up/down or side to side. The owner has tried all manner of human and horsey supplements, nose nets and vaseline but nothing seems to work

Anyone got any other solutions?? (Sorry to hijack the thread!

)

 

[Coffee_Bean]

Nosenets are awesome

 

[MontyandZoom]

When I was doing research for Zoom, it seems that some headshaking is caused by direct sunlight. Has she tried one of those eye masks? TBH it can be caused by so many things. I have been trying to keep a diary of what sets her off and it seems to be pollen related.

 

[alison_oliver]

I too kept a diary and have narrowed it down with the help of lovely vet

to the pollen. And worse by hedges, better in open fields. Finding nosenet & vaseline or bonjela is working enough to ride and him be happy for an hour.
Be trying honey and supplements next year so we can stay out longer.
Just read about a new product like beconase spray but specifically for horses £30 for 30days supply. May try that if he gets worse into summer as there was no mention of having to start it early or build it up over weeks/months. It builds up a gel lining in the nose.

 

[IWTO]

Im interested in this as im having issues trying to diagnose my mares headshaking..

Im buying a nosenet tomorrow but what is beconase spray?

 

[KrujaaLass]

I picked up a nasal cream in Holland & Barrett and wondered if anyone had used it. Did not buy it though it was about £5. will look on their website

 

[Angelbones]

Glad you had a good ride, it can be so frustrating having to limit your activities.

My daughter's pony has a head shaking issue. He was allergy tested and came back positive to tree / grass pollens (very high reaction), and soya. Have changed his diet - no difference. Have had him on the desensitizing jabs for over a year now - no difference. He has a nose net from early spring to autumn - no difference except that he also really hates little flying bugs and the net really does stop that twitching reaction. Vaseline - no difference. Antihistamines - no difference. But bought a Quiet Ride mask a couple of weeks ago - instantly stopped shaking. I had suspected he was highly sensitive to bright light and we had some successful days doing stuff when it was dull weather, and it seems that the mask really does reduce the light rays and he is instantly more comfy. Definitely worth a go if you think your horse is a photic headshaker.

 

[Angelbones]

Oliver Twist - someone on here posted in approx the past week or so that they had been for a chat with their pharmacist about that nasal spray barrier stuff. They were told that it is exactly the same, including the dispenser, as a human product called (I think) Nasaleze? It may have been Shilasdair? I considered the equine one and I think it said something like you had to apply every 3 hours which would be ok for riding but tougher if you have a poor horse who shakes his head when turned out also. I decided against it as i thought my already head shy pony would seriously object / be traumatised by the experience! If you do try it, please let me know how you get on. Thanks x

This is the horse stuff I'm referring to:
http://www.nostrilvet.com

 

[MrsMozart]

So pleased you seem to have found the right combination OP

.

The Dizz was shaking her head, but I'm hoping it's the teeth issue with her. I tried the nosenet, the Quiet Ride mask, the ear thingy, all to no avail; then she started rubbing her nose on her foreleg, so I took her boots off in case they were annoying/irritating, but that didn't stop it either. Fingers crossed for the dentist on Friday!

 

[Halfstep]

I use vicks on the nostrils, and NAF shake relief. It has almost completely eliminated my horse's headshaking, thank god!