Very sudden headshaking onset... what to do?

[Bounty]

Was schooling Rage this afternoon... everything going VERY nicely

when he suddenly started throwing his head around like something possessed

(so started about 25mins ago). This is something he absolutely never does as an evasion, so I hopped off and chacked his face/bridle. Nothing obviously wrong, but still headshaking. Took is bridle off to see if it was somehow causing it.. but he carried on doing it

Have popped him back out in the field and am keeping an eye on him. He's still doing it, but not as violently as when he first started.

What do I do now? Call the vet now, or observe till tomorrow?
Any ideas as to what may have brought this on?
Nothing in his management has changed at all lately.

I'm stumped.

 

[Thistle]

probably a fly in his ear

 

[kerilli]

my first thought is something in his ear as well, tbh. or that he's been stung by something. or maybe a tooth abscess?

 

[Bluecat45J]

We had a very similuar incident last week at our yard, the horse had been stung by a fly/wasp in his ear, causing a violent reaction. she did get vet out to give him a calmer as he was about to hurt himself or someone.
good luck

 

[Bossanova]

Watch carefully for colic, if he's still distressed tomorrow it's prob worth a vet call out.

 

[Weezy]

I had to battle through midges this morning, they were everywhere.

 

[Jade2007]

A similar thing happened to my pony, but he was still lively when I was riding him but he just kept throwing his head up, which he has never done in 3 years. I don't think its sweet itch because I havent seen him scratching. Chances are it is his ear though.

 

[Bounty]

Thanks all. I posted this literally 2 mins before the forum was taken offline, so didn't get the benefit of your advice at the time

He's not headshaken to that extent since, but did have a few 'moments' when hacking out a couple of days later, but is now lame

Off to the vets for a workup tomorrow afternoon, so will mention it to the vet then, but suspect it's nothing sinister

Would be surprised if something had gotten in his ear... his ear hair is incredible! He's still sporting his summer coat everywhere except inside his ears which are just something else!

Had a fly/midge gotten in there I dont think there's any change of it getting back out again!