headtossing/shaking/flicking, violently...

[atot]

For the past two weeks Chloe would, infrequently, shake her head, as if someone had touched her on the nose and she had got a shock. It was neither full headshaking, but it came about when she came back to the yard having been away with us for a week. We put it down to stress, but it neither improved or got worse.

She is on full livery, so the YO has been dealing with it since she arrived back. She spoke to the vet recently as it had got quite bad, and so she has been giving her an analgesic twice a day with her feed. Ear mites was another possible cause, so she has been having some drops for that, but today apparently was doing it every stride, and was unrideable. The saddler came out today too as she has changed shape and there was a bit of pressure just behind her shoulder, which has now been corrected with more stuffing at the front of the saddle.

The vet is coming out on Monday if there is no improvement under the analgesic/drops, but meanwhile I just wanted to put it to you guys... Have you got any ideas about what it could be? Thanks for any suggestions/advice.

 

[KarynK]

Could be something in her ear one of mine got a seed or something stuck at a show recently, she was fine the day after!!! so a good look down there might be fruitful, some seeds can be really horrible my dog had a huge hook shaped seed stuck up her nose once I kept it as it was so unbelievable!

 

[atot]

Okay thank you, the YO has infact rummaged around as best she could (horse is sensitive about her ears) but I will have a look again. thanks

 

[the watcher]

Ears are the most likely cause. There is a more serious neurological condition that also causes this, but this is often accompanied by the horse pressing its head against walls and clearly being in pain.

 

[atot]

Yes, we are hoping it is just that. We shall wait and see I guess. What is the name of this condition? I just wanted to know out of interest.

 

[kellyeaton]

check ears and teeth it could be that you have taken her away and bought her back she is a bit stressed plus the different pollens in each area might of just up set her nose get some shake free from global herbs run a course on that or even try pollen-x then take her off it and see if any change!

 

[DaisyMae]

Try riding with a nose net and a fly mask, it's stopped my friends mare from head shaking and she does it so violently that sometimes she'll start to rear. Think she reacts really badly to the flys.

 

[atot]

thanks I will talk to the YO re. shake free/pollen-x.....

I bet you that's it actually......the pollen....

 

[atot]

[ QUOTE ]
Try riding with a nose net and a fly mask, it's stopped my friends mare from head shaking and she does it so violently that sometimes she'll start to rear. Think she reacts really badly to the flys.

[/ QUOTE ]

That could be an idea too...thank you....actually have one sitting at home right now! Shall get it down there and just see if it helps. thanks.