Is he a a headshaker?

badgerdog

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I've recenctly discovered that my new horse is extremely irritated by flies. He flings his head about and moves sideways. There doesn't have to be a swarm, just the odd one floating round his head. Does this mean he's a headshaker or does it just mean he's particularly sensitive to flies? Either way does anyone have any suggestions?
 
My mare is the same. She hates the flies around her or landing on her and gets really stressed and does fling her head about. I wouldn't class her as a headshaker because she doesn't do it when fly sprayed or when i'm riding or for the remainder of the year!
I treat her as though she has sweet itch- I apply loads of flyspray, she has a fly rug and I have no problems at all with her and the flies.
 
My boy has started to do this, today he was really bothered, ive tried fly sprays ect but they dont help, Ive started riding him in one of those fly veils that just cover the ears that showjumpers use, and it just stops!!! HE doesnt like the flies in his ears (bless him) everyone laughs at him they say he looks like a donkey at the beach but it seems to be working so im not moaning, but no I wouldnt class that as a headshaker!!!
 
my boy has an intolerance to flies, midges everything with wings- and he has an allergy to pollen/ fresh cut grass/everything with spores!!!!
I've just put him on this new supp by Naf- Shake relief- they are so confident they say that all his symptoms should stop within 3-4 days!! I'm skeptical but i'm giving it a go.
He's a nightmare to ride hacking as he rubs his muzzle on the ground. shakes, snorts, sneezes everything!
Its only during the summer season though!!
If you can't find anything else to help, maybe try this supplement.
Good luck! ;-))
 
Thanks for your comments everyone, I'm pleased it doesn't sound like he should be described as a headshaker. I'll have a look out for one of those fly veil things, newboy has huge ears so already looks like a donkey, in fact I might not be able to get one big enough! I'd be interested to know how the supplement goes, please keep us posted.
smile.gif
 
Stick one of those john whitaker veils on - I can't really hack Oscar without one as his head is all over the place!
 
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