Headshaking

[knithryn]

Someone has told me that recently (not sure when) there was an advert in the magazine where a person wanted to locate headshaking horses for a study. I have a headshaker. I would really like to help in the study, so if anyone can help me locate the researcher I would be grateful.

(So far I have rested pony for two months - no tack no her, had teeth done, nasal and ear scopes, full turnout, checked tack and bits, tried bitless bridles, treated for ear and leg mites, looked for correlations between weather, use of halter, sunshine etc, tried a nose net, and we are now on Periactin medication. I also have a diary of the last two months - she started at end of November)

Any and all help, ideas, or if you have found a solution for your horse, I would be interested in knowing.

Edit. Found the study, Bristol want horses that are going to have euthanasia for post mortems. Not going to consider it.

 

[amandap]

I can't help with the study but have you heard about a possible link of head shaking with excess potassium in the diet/grazing? Feeding salt can help in some horses especially in Spring when the grass is growing fast. Here's one link.
http://beefmagazine.com/mag/beef_dont_short_salt
There's a thread about it with more info and links on the diet section of this forum.
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php

 

[knithryn]

That's really interesting. Now I wonder if the haylage (made following a cool wet summer) could be causing it.
Next - how much salt to give?!

 

[amandap]

I've just checked Phoenix forum thread (More on the importance of feeding salt) and it appears 4 tablespoons daily (15-16hh) is around the amount to help with head shaking in high risk times. Seems a lot I know and some horses cant be got up to that level as they just wont eat it. I'd say start adding it to feed split in two feeds if possible and start with a tablespoon (or less depending on your horse) a day and gradually increase watching for improvements. I don't think there is any exact advice but it's worth a try even at lower doses I think.

Have a look at this thread on an old closed forum. http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/about3949.html

The threads I've mentioned talk about lots of other effects of feeding salt. Many horses it appears are deficient of salt without factoring in the possible potassium excess.

ps. I realize this is only one possible cause of headshaking but it's an easy one to try and remedy.

 

[knithryn]

Amandap thanks again. I am going to investigate this further. I will find the temperature etc conditions for October and November last year and look further into the idea of potassium spikes. It also sort of ties in with claims made by equiwinner about electrolyte imbalance, though again I need to get my head around it.
feeding salt - what a nice cheap easy thing to try. I will keep her on the Periactin for the moment as it keeps her fairly comfortable, but at about £3 a day it's not a cheap option - not like salt!
Today she will start with salt. She's only a 13.2 pony so we will start with 1 teaspoon in her feed this morning and see how it goes.
Just remembered, some people also suggest a magnesium deficiency - it's all tending towards electrolytes for these theories then.