Update on Toff head shaking...

[Troggy]

I posted a little while ago about Toffee's head shaking, it started a few months ago and has gradually been getting worse, she shakes he head when being ridden, or when you try and touch her ears (side to side). She is also very senstive to being touched around her ears and poll.

We first tried antibiotics and ‘bute, both of which made no difference, so she was asked to come in to be properly examined, which is where she went today.

It was very thorough, they asked me loads of questions, trotted her up and lunged her to see if she did it, but typically, she didn't, far to interested in her surroundings! They then took her off and had a look up her nose/down her chest, in her mouth, eyes and in her ears and have come to the conclusion it's Idiopathic Headshaking ,which is vague as they don’t seem to know what causes it, hence idiopathic! The vet explained he thinks it's the nerve that goes from the brain to her ear which is inflamed and giving out "shocks", which would explain how she is ok until worked as it's aggravated by her bridle. He has given me some pills to try for a week, 30 in morning, 30 in evening!! And £6 a day.....

Hopefully will work though.Hopefully it will stop her leaping about and bolting but that could be good old Dr.Green…

I was pleased with her behavior though, no teeth or heels and she seemed very attached to a grey horse in the next door stable!

Does anybody else have a horse with the same symptoms etc?

 

[carthorse]

Have you tried a nose net [I'm sorry I missed original post] .My horse is a different horse with one although he still rubs as soon as you get off ,his head is still now when ridden.[He is the coloured]He has avet letter so he can wear it in aff. comp.

Good luck

 

[Patches]

My old horse was an idiopathic headshaker.

You're referring to the Trigeminal nerve ganglia. Nose net didn't help my horse.

Some people report great results with a racing hood. They adapt the eye holes with UV filters and this seems to the do the trick.

What's your horse like if you lunge/ride in a darkened indoor school at dusk? My horse ragged his head from side to side (like a dog with a toy) and would rub his nose on the floor, his leg or toss it in a high arc in the air.

It was very unpleasant. I hadn't had him long and he was returned to the dealer but was such a nice horse. I did try to help him.

Some people use Adaptogenic herbs linking it to stress. Also there's a thought that as a horse is asked for more flexion at the poll they can start to show signs. Can come on after a tumble XC or banging their head in the stable.

Seems quite early though for your horse to be suffering.

 

[Troggy]

Yes that's right, becuase it's her ears the light etc doesn't affect her but exercise does as it increases the blood pressure & the pressure of her bridle.
She has also always wrapped her leadrope over her head when tied up which probably doesn't help but could have been the reason why she did it....
Will see if these pills make a difference

 

[Sooty]

According to the vet yesterday, the trigeminal nerve supplies the nose, eyes and ears. The nose is the most common place to have problems (often alleviated with a nose net), then the eyes, then - of course - the ears. It must be horrible for her to deal with, as anyone who has suffered from trigemnial neuralgia would tell you. Poor horses with this condition. There is apparently no trigger or cause. You would think though that whatever part of the head is most affected, wearing a bridle would make the whole lot sensitive. If only they could talk...

 

[kjpattingham]

Hi, If you're interested Prof Derek Knottenbelt (world headshaking expert) is shortly starting a trial at Liverpool into a new natural approach to Headshaking. Inclusion to the trial is by veterinary referal, so you should ask your vet to contact Dr Shaun McKane at Liverpool. From my understanding of the condition Toff sounds like an ideal candidate, and don't worry he wouldn't need to travel to Liverpool. I guess the pills you've been given are steroids - which I think everyone would agree are not ideal long term, and as you know are not cheap! The trial products are natural and the trial is free - why not give it a go?

 

[Troggy]

Have PM'd you