Tell me about headshaking!

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Ilovefoals

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I'm really upset and need to know everything you guys can tell me about headshaking.

I had a feeling he was sensitive last year and had only had him a week or so when he was off work with a swollen leg. I noticed that when we were outside hosing his leg he snorted a lot and chucked his head around like something was irritating him. Unfortunately he was out of work for most of the summer so I only observed this behaviour in the field.

Fast forward to this year and he has been fine up until 2wks ago when it's started again. He's throwing his head constantly and is carrying really high up and poking out his nose. He was so distressed by it the other day that he walked into the school fence. He's as bad on the lunge as ridden. In the field I hear him constantly snorting.

I've tried a nose net and a face mask but neither made a difference. I'm not sure what to do now or what I can expect. Are there times of year that its worse? Will it resolve in cooler weather or different season? Are there any other things I can try to help him?

Any advice appreciated :(
 
I ride a horse for a lady who is a head shaker, we believe its due to pollen as if she stays off the fields the day before a competition or any ridden work she doesn't shake her head. She uses beconase(spelling might be off?) which people use for hayfever and she is like a different horse! She only does it in spring and summer, never head shakes over winter She also has hay wetted and none dusty bedding
 
My horse started head shaking in the spring about 4 years ago. I tried steroids from the vet, nasal sprays, vaseline up his nose and finally found a nose net to be the best thing. Once we've got over the initial snorting and him trying to rub the net on his legs, he copes OK. I get hayfever and we are affected on the same days. I find rape fields to be the worst but any day when the pollen is up can be difficult. He stops normally when the crops are harvested.
 
We have no rape or crops growing around us and he seemed even more bothered by the nose net today. I'm going to try Vaseline tomorrow and contact my vet for advice on Monday. He looked so distressed today, it really upset me :(
 
Does you horse have whiskers? try cutting them off. It can desensitise the horse and worst case scenario it does not work so they will grow back.
 
Those who tried nose nets, did it take your horses a little while to get used to wearing it or was the change immediate?
 
Google University of Liverpool Prof Knottenbelt ...he has done aload of research on it. Dont forget as well , if you have buttercups in your field they are toxic and could be causing the problem.
Put in the search box headshaking ... there are pages and pages on the subject.
 
As a hay fever suffer myself I can imagine a net could drive you insane if its a pollen thing. Try some prevalin squirted up his nose. It's non steroidal and works almost immediately.
 
Ilovefoals said:
I'm really upset and need to know everything you guys can tell me about headshaking.

I had a feeling he was sensitive last year and had only had him a week or so when he was off work with a swollen leg. I noticed that when we were outside hosing his leg he snorted a lot and chucked his head around like something was irritating him. Unfortunately he was out of work for most of the summer so I only observed this behaviour in the field.

Fast forward to this year and he has been fine up until 2wks ago when it's started again. He's throwing his head constantly and is carrying really high up and poking out his nose. He was so distressed by it the other day that he walked into the school fence. He's as bad on the lunge as ridden. In the field I hear him constantly snorting.

I've tried a nose net and a face mask but neither made a difference. I'm not sure what to do now or what I can expect. Are there times of year that its worse? Will it resolve in cooler weather or different season? Are there any other things I can try to help him?

Any advice appreciated :(
Click to expand...

As well as the new comments here in this thread I have saved previous ones and added more info about this problem. Hope you find it useful,

http://horse-care-and-advice.weebly.com/h.html





.
 
Haven't read all the replies so this may have already been mentioned, but sinusitis/sinus problems can cause head shaking.
 
Ilovefoals said:
Thanks. I'll try that. I'll try anything!
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Then try feeding salt. Research potassium spikes too. I have removed all clover from my field and I feed salt (unsuccessful last year) - so far this year no head shaking. Headshaking is something over stimulating the trigemenial nerve (not always but often), but this nerve is possibly only over stimulated due to a mineral imbalance.

http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=126659&page=3

http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/about387.html&highlight=importance+salt

From talking to my vet hay fever treatments rarely work.
 
Firstly make sure that you are not feeding ANY Lucerne (Alfalfa) products - so no Lucerne Hay and check your feed bags for Lucerne in the list of ingredients.

Lucerne can make some horses photosensitive to sunlight.

Then try a nose net - if you don't want to spend money just yet use a pop sock and secure with a bootlace - has the same effect as a nose net.

If you are using a flash strap - remove it and replace the noseband with a grackle or drop - the angle of the nose strap is different and doesn't lie over the sensitive nostril.

Have the horses poll regularly checked by a chiro, buy a larger browband and ensure it sits lower than normal so it can't interfere with the ears.

Rub Vaseline around the inside of the nostril - helps to trap some of the pollen
 
Right, I've spoken to the vet and am now keeping a diary of when and where he does it to try to work out some sort of pattern. My instructor lunged him today and he was bad tho a tiny bit better when the sun went in and the nose net was on. He's booked to go into the vet hospital in 2wks time to have his teeth checked and head xrayed to rule them out. The physio is also coming on mon morning to check him out. We are also planning to try him in the local indoor school and in different weathers, times of day etc. it would help a lot if I didn't have a broken collar bone but I'm having to rely on friends to lunge him etc which is a bit limiting. I appreciate all your comments. I'll post a link to what he was like today for you to see.
 
Clava said:
Then try feeding salt. Research potassium spikes too. I have removed all clover from my field and I feed salt (unsuccessful last year) - so far this year no head shaking. Headshaking is something over stimulating the trigemenial nerve (not always but often), but this nerve is possibly only over stimulated due to a mineral imbalance.

http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=126659&page=3

http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/about387.html&highlight=importance+salt

From talking to my vet hay fever treatments rarely work.
Click to expand...

I'll second this - I know at least two people whose horses have experienced huge improvements after feeding salt (not a lick, they can't get enough from a lick - food quality salt, either table or cooking) and it is easy and safe compared to full vet investigation. Well worth a try IMHO
 
Mine's a seasonal head shaker.

Had him allergy tested (all negative), tried nose nets, Vaseline in nostrils, antihistamines, steroids, feeding local honey - you name it!

YO told me that she'd seen comments on the Nupafeed website by a number of owners saying the Nupafeed magnesium calmer had, as a side effect, had a huge impact on their horse's head shaking.

I now feed it from early Spring until about August. It doesn't get rid of the problem completely and riding by a hedge with bloom will make it worse but it has had much more of a positive effect than anything else for me.

Good luck with yours :)
 
Ilovefoals said:
http://youtu.be/pKP530i5owo

And trying him in the field with no nose net.
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Do you have clover in your field? (I think it is related to Lucerne). his shaking is just like Belle's was, but she would try and rub her nose when trotting. Do try the salt and removing clover type plants, you can document many triggers but I really believe the key can be to balance the minerals and stop the increased sensitivity of the facial nerve in the first place (regardless of what triggers the attacks). Salt is cheap and easy and at least worth a try :) (many horses are deficient anyway as they cannot get enough from licks).
 
Ilovefoals said:
Thanks. I'll try the salt. We do have a bit of clover which I need to get spayed. How much salt do you feed?
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I feed about (maybe just over) 50gms (I think the person on the thread I posted suggested 10gms per 100kg of horse). I think some feed more on the other thread, but that wasn't just for hs ing.

Killing clover isn't that easy, my weedkiller chap had to find the right spray to do the job.
 
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Thanks Clava. Just been reading those links and it's really interesting! I'll definitely start with the salt tomorrow. I've also been reading up on the magnesium link as well and have ordered some MAH from nupafeed as this seems to have worked for some horses.
 
Ilovefoals said:
Thanks Clava. Just been reading those links and it's really interesting! I'll definitely start with the salt tomorrow. I've also been reading up on the magnesium link as well and have ordered some MAH from nupafeed as this seems to have worked for some horses.
Click to expand...

I feed magnesium anyway, it didn't make any difference to Belle :(
 
i feel some just don't want to click on the link above i posted well here is what is on the website i posted.


just to show you gals its ther to help with good info
HEADSHAKERS:

PRODUCTS TO HELP :

http://www.horsemask.com/Main.html
http://www.horsemask.com/headshaking.html
Equilibrium nose net
Global Herbs Pollenex

H&H members write

1 . It can be related to diet, I know of three horses (head shakers) who when their graing / diet was changed the headshaking stopped. There are anecdotal links to high potassium levels which can be reduced by removing the high potassium source (rye grass or clover) and feeding salt , definitely worth looking at this site http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/e...aking/messages
http://www.voicesforhorses.co.uk/adviceandinfo/read_82_Eye-treatment-for-horses-that-headshake.html

2. My horse is a head shaker. He is 23 years old and only developed the condition in the last 3 years. His head shaking is only apparent in winter when the weather is very cold and there is sunshine. So basically he is photosensitive. He will not show any symptoms at any time other than under those weather conditions. Sometimes the reaction is mild - just like a pin prick on his nose. Other times it is quite severe as its like a bee has stung him on the end of his nose and the shock runs up through the neck and down his body affecting his stride - to the extent that he will stagger a little. We have learned to live with it as, basically, there are only a few days in winter when the sunshines strongly.

3. Our big ginger lad developed this the first summer we had him (we bought him in March when no pollen around so he may well have had it before). The first year a nose net stopped it about 90% but in the 2nd summer he became so bad that even though he had a nose net in the field he still stood there all day headshaking. We bought him a Guardian facemask after recommendations on here. It blocks 95% of UV light which can be one of the triggers. You have to order it from the website in the US and it's not cheap - about £80 I think. It reduced the headshaking by about 20% I'd say. The other thing which really helped was Pollen-Ex from Global Herbs (again ordered online). I'm not sure how it differs from their Shake Relief but someone at our yard had had good results with it so we gave it a go. It stopped the headshaking completely within 3 days so we'll definitely be using that again this summer.

4. . Mines a heashaker too - shes affected by midges and other bugs and is worst around april/may time when there are loads around but she headshakes mildly for most of the year - she has just started again after having nov and dec headshaking free. She has started blowing her nose and rubbing it on her leg and grabbing at the reins when on aloose rein - these are her symtoms for the start. Later it turns into striking out with front legs, tossing head around, broncing, violently rubbing nose on legs,road,me-anything she can get too if I dont use a net.
She is unbearable in april without any control but I control it with a nosenet and and ear veil. I dont use any supplements as have found the combination of the 2 works well and reduces it by about 80-90%. The rest I can manage.
If I dont use the ear veil its a lot worse, if I dont use either I am chucked around all other the place, hat again this summer.


5. I have two very severe headshakers and nose nets made no difference and exercise made the headshaking even worse. It is a known fact exercise induces headshaking.
Please note, I am by no means a vet but I do have some advice for anyone who thinks they might have a headshaker.
I can totally sympathise with the desperate feeling of wanting to find a cure or something that works but I have wasted so much money on lotions, potions, biscuits and herbs when I should have gone straight to my vet.

There are 101 reasons or more why your horse might headshake and all cases differ.
I hope your horse is insured and is covered for diagnostics etc.
Advice:

.. Make sure your horses teeth/back and tack have all been recently checked. Rule those issues out.
.. Keep a diary detailing all that you see and believe to relate to the headshaking. Include climate, time of year, time of day, if the horse is indoors or outdoors, if its windy, raining and if it does it when in work or relaxed. Literally everything you see. See if your horse headshakes in the dark (if you can). Be as detailed as you can and over a good period of time.

.. Go to your vet with your diary. You will find that a diary is very helpful as it is part of the investigation! Crutial infact.

.. Discuss all options with your vet and discuss how you can take an invesigation forward. You will find that diagnositcs can be carried out in an attempt to discover the cause. Skin allergy tests can also be done to see if your horse is allergic to anything resulting in desensitisation vaccines given over a long period of time. Operations can be had- but they do carry risk and do not always cure.

I have an allergic headshaker. He is allergic to 9 different things including pollens and his own skin dust. He is on a course of vaccines now to build up his immunity to them. He was reacting badly to the pollens and it caused irratation up his nose. Exercise was affected as during work he would breath more deeply and the pollens would irritate.

I have an ideopathic headshaker (facial nerve pain) who has since had a nerve laser operation in the face. He suffers from neurological pain. He has no allergies. Success of the operation is to be confirmed as he has only just had this at Newmarket. I do know it doesnt always cure it and I do know that not all horses get through it because they face trauma (rub the face after the operation and do not stop).

Generally nerve face pain is very painful. He either had to have the operation or I put him down. Either way- I could loose this horse but I had to try.
Both horses showed similarties in their headshaking:

Nose rubbing - itchy especially after working.
shaking of the head

Differences:

The nerve (ideopathic) headshakers headshaking progressed from what I thought was seasonal to shaking his head all the time. A vertical head toss and he snorted alot.
The pollen headshaker only showed his irritation during work.
All in all- headshaking is very uncomfortable for the horse. I would go to your vet!!!!!

6. I also have an ideopathic headshaker due to facial pain syndrome. Dancinghorse gave a good account of the disease and you must go to the vet for a diagnosis. My 5 year old mare had platinum coils put in the nerve back in October and i'm afraid it hasn't worked to date so considering a second operation as the success rate goes up from 50% to 80% with the second operation. The diagnosis was simple after all other possibilities were investigated. She went to Bristol and had a nerve block and stopped HS instantly when ridden. It is a terrible disease and we have to do all we can to make sure they aren't in pain. Mine only HS when ridden at the moment and is OK at rest so if the second operation also fails then she will be retired until the point she starts doing it at rest.I have a mare who started head shaking at age 11 for some reason. I put on a nose net by Equilibrium and she is very happy and works really well. I have tried different remedies but not found one that works.

7. I find that the headshaking gets worse in similar conditions that cause hayfever in people - so thats spring when there is a gently breeze and the pollen is flying around.

Unfortunately head shaking seems to be more a more common. I bred another mare who at the age of 8 suddenly started headshaking. The vet said there are so many things in the horses environment (including fields which have been sprayed) its very difficult to get to the route cause. Again she was quite happy in the nose net.
http://www.equilibriumproducts.com/h...eg_muzzle_net/

8.... I have a seasonal head shaker - coincides with the start of the pollen season, but allergy tests all came back negative. Tried nose nets, local honey, Nostrilvet, steroids, anti-hysthamines, drinking wine (me, not him) - you name it.
YO suggested that I try Nupafeed Magnesium Calmer, as several people had found a side effect to calming was a reduction in head shaking. Tried it and we're just about to start our third spring/summer on it


9. my 4 yr old mare went through surgery in April 2011 at Rossdales in Newmarket, after extensive testing including blocks. She had the nerve cut and lazered on both sides through sinus flaps. The surgeon decided for this approach over coils. It probably has better prognosis but its more invasive.
She was in hospital for 2 weeks. I took two weeks off so I could travel to see her everyday. I found it very hard seeing her going through the recovery, but I feel it gave her a reason to keep going!
We had some difficult stages and the recovery is still ongoing. I'm still have moments when I feel so relieved and can't believe she made it home.
When she came home, for the first month her symptoms were worse from the surgery trauma, but over the last few weeks I've noticed a definite lack of twitching, snorting and rubbing. We've been out for a few walks in hand with no symptoms. I would say at this stage there is improvement. Before the op she would have twitching and rubbing whilst standing still, head tossing and snorting when moving quickly. Her behaviour changed completely, to near on unmanageable, in the summer. Now, she is as chilled and as loving as she normally would be in the winter.
 
10. Just wanted to say my mare is a headshaker too, she only started last year and it came on over night, she quickly became unrideable, she shakes so violently and kicks herself in face and will stumble and fall over, she is ok out in the field, it is only when ridden (at the moment) i tried everything suggested to me by vet and friends, various masks, ear veils, nose net, different bits, bitless, nothing made any difference and so resigned to the fact that she would have to retired, untill a friend told me to try an equilibrium (not sure if spelt correctly) face mask/nose net, as i'd already tried all types of masks i couldn't see that it would make any difference but amazingly it stopped the shaking COMPLETELY and i was able to ride her all summer, it has now started again this year, i rode one day and she was absolutely fine, rode the next day and was violently shaking, i put her face mask/nose net on the next day and no shaking again, we're now riding again every day with no problems what so ever!

. Head shakers support group http://www.webtrenddesigns.com.au/hs.html
one of these days someone might say this website is useful :(
 
Mine was appalling when ridden, changed dentist and new one pointed out fleshy areas on front of the back teeth. Told me to use a straight bar bit. Now in a Mullen mouth myler and 90 % better immediately with no snatching and only needing to stop once during a schooling session to nose rub
 
Leviathan - thank you. I read it all and found it very useful. Great source of info!

Update today is that it was cloudy and cool this morning and had been raining overnight. Lunged him in the field and he was absolutely normal. In the afternoon the sun came out a bit more and things had dried out. Lunged him again and tho more irritated than this morning, he was definitely better than he has been.

Also started the salt today.
 
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