Head Shaking

Head Shaking
A disease rather than a behavioral problem

Having a horse suffering from headshaking can be very frustrating and distressing. It is often looked at as being a behavioral problem, but it is not.

Researchers and vets are not quite sure what causes it. Every case seems to be different and what might help one horse might not help another.

One thing that definitely doesn´t help is punishment.

It is now believed to be a problem with a nerve of the head, the trigeminal nerve that causes the horse pain.

Photic headshaking is thought to be triggered by bright light and those horses improve with a face mask.

Signs and symptoms

• vertical shaking of the head
• rubbing of the nose or face on the foreleg
• snorting
• nose being dragged along the ground
• Flipping of top lip without raising the head
• Striking out with front leg
• Runny nose at rest or work
• Rotary or horizontal headshaking
• Unusual head carriage either higher or lower than normal
• Hiding the head behind bushes, other horses, buckets or against the stable wall

Triggers

• Allergic reactions to pollen or insects, can be seasonal
• everything that causes irritation or inflammation
• teeth problems
• sinus, ear or eye inflammation
• badly fitting tack
• bright light

Treatment

There is no true cure for headshaking. The condition can be managed though. Trying to identify the trigger and avoiding it is the key.

These things might help:

• Use of mesh nosenets and facemasks
• some herbal feed supplements
• Moving to a different yard with a different routine
• Ear nets
• Homeopathic treatment
• Use of a bitless bridle

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