Sunlight triggered headshaking?

[melanie99]

Ok seems like i just get over one hurdle and I hit another. My TB throws his head when its really sunny. Thought it was the flies but put fly mask on and he still does it. I'm not riding him so that doesnt bother me but he looks soo distressed in the field. On dull days he's no problem. He is also photosensitive on his white socks due to ragwort poisoning before I had him. He's had liver tests done and all normal so dont have to worry bout that. Any suggestions on how to control this problem. I have sunchaps for his legs shud i buy a sun mask? Vet coming out on fri for vaccinations so will run it past them then just wondering if u have experienced the same. Thanks.

 

[Mike007]

Ok seems like i just get over one hurdle and I hit another. My TB throws his head when its really sunny. Thought it was the flies but put fly mask on and he still does it. I'm not riding him so that doesnt bother me but he looks soo distressed in the field. On dull days he's no problem. He is also photosensitive on his white socks due to ragwort poisoning before I had him. He's had liver tests done and all normal so dont have to worry bout that. Any suggestions on how to control this problem. I have sunchaps for his legs shud i buy a sun mask? Vet coming out on fri for vaccinations so will run it past them then just wondering if u have experienced the same. Thanks.

Hi Melanie,sorry to hear about your problem. Have a good read of the following link.http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/dbs/research/headshaking/causes.htm I think you need to do some research about the trigeminal nerve.(5th cranial nerve). This nerve comes from the poll and divides to three areas.The lower jaw(bit seat area) The nose ,and the area around the eye. Iritation of it at any point can cause symptoms to show at any other point. (the brain confuses the signals).I suspect that a lot of horses acquire damage to this nerve around the poll region during breaking.My own horse displays symptoms of irritation to this nerve after a long hack .I suspect it is due to the slight pressure of the bridle headpiece behind the ear.(I am now looking at different bridles). Different horses will have different causes but this is the subject I would be looking at if I were you. Hope this is of some help, Mike.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

If a UV sun mask doesn't help then there is also the option of coloured contact lenses. They filter out the UV light - like wearing a pair of sunglasses. My horse had an ulcer on his eye and the vets only had a blue one in his size at the time, it would have taken 2 weeks to get a clear one, so he got half of a pair of sunglasses on. Generally the lenses stay in for 2 weeks then come out, get cleaned and go back in again, repeat for as long as necessary.

 

[melanie99]

Thanks for your replies guys. He's 24 now bless him getting deaf too now. Poor old man has hard a hard life but I'm just glad he's had a fantastic 7 years with me so far. Thanks for the link mike made very interesting reading. Will have to do more research into it. He only did it now and again before and the fly mask always worked hence why I've always thought its just been flies but may be this has been happening over time and he's now a lot more sensitive to light now even with fly mask on. I'm sure we'll get there. I'm just glad my cob doesnt have any health problems at all (touch wood). Mel x

 

[classicalfan]

Great info from Mike227.

Would only add two things. Firstly, don't assume ragwort poisoning. In our experience photosensitivity can also be caused by the more humble buttercup. Secondly, have you noticed if the ehadshaking is worse near oilseed rape crops as many horses are very sensitive to this plant.

 

[popularfurball]

Yeah have a look at local pollens.

Is he rugged? It can also be irritation on the neck also. Could he stable in on sunny days and go out at night#?

 

[Clava]

This forum is dedicated to headshakers with lots of folk trying to find the right solution for their horses, lots of experience there. http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/headshakers/messages?o=1&yguid=274822424

 

[Britestar]

A friend of mine has a photosensitive headshaker. It was tiggered when a lightning strike landed near them when they were caught out in a storm one day.

She has used the UV filter eye shades and found them very effective. During the summer she keeps him in during the day and out a night. She avoids riding him on bright days if she can.

In the winter he is much better and can tolerate being out during the day.

 

[supagran]

Melanie99 - where did you get your sun chaps from?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

checkout guardian mask diamond has one for uviitis


http://www.horsemask.com/headshaking.html

What Is Headshaking?



In the literature, headshaking is described as the sudden, intermittent and apparently involuntary tossing of the head. It can occur to such an extent that both horse and rider are thrown off balance or the unfortunate rider is knocked in the face. It derives from the horse's normal and natural impulsion to shake the head when bothered by flies in the field or when feeling frustrated (at the start of a race).



However, a horse is called an abnormal headshaker when this shaking occurs under saddle and for no apparent reason. The severity of symptoms can vary widely between individuals, so widely that the distinction becomes unclear between those that are classic headshakers and those that are "nodders" or "head bobbers" (those that shake their heads more out of boredom or frustration rather than for the reasons that follow).



At the other end of the extreme, some headshakers are so dangerous and distressed that they have to be put down. Worryingly, many headshakers are sold on to unsuspecting owners, especially in the winter months when headshaking is often less apparent.



Clinical Signs

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Main sign - sudden and apparently involuntary, vertical tossing of the head when ridden.

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Very often occurs only after 10 minutes into exercise, i.e. when the horse is warmed up and frequently at the trot, though headshaking can occur at any pace.

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Some horses shake all year round but the majority show a distinct seasonal pattern, the headshaking beginning in the spring (April onwards in the UK) worsening over the summer and easing into autumn. These horses appear symptom free over the winter with only the occasional bout (often on bright sunny days).

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Horizontal or rotary headshaking.

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Headshaking at rest (i.e. when in the field, in the stable, or when being led).

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Flipping of the upper lip.

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Acting as though a bee has gone up its nose.

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Headshaking more when excited or stressed.

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Snorting.

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Sneezing.

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Attempts to rub their nose on objects whilst moving, e.g. your leg, the ground, their foreleg, stationary objects.

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Striking out with the foreleg, often at the nose.

 

[melanie99]

Thanks everyone! i got sun chaps off of ebay keep an eye out for them only now and again. Luckily coz i live in scotland there's not a lot of sun lol!
Mel x