Head Shaking Syndrome

[nappy-R-us]

Seems the new horse has a deep dark secret.

He appears to be dislaying signs of head shaking syndrome.

He doesn't shake head from side to side continually in the field, stable or on the lunge, although he will occasionaly but when ridden he does it in walk and trot and then not canter and full pelt "whizz"!!

I thought there was something wrong with his ears like mites or lice but the vet never checked in his ears and Blue has failed his five point vet check on it. He was passed for everything else.....vet actually liked him.

It is not terrible but vet says it will get worse and he may be unrideable over very hot months.

I'm at a loss. He is a great little horse and I can ignore the head shaking as it is at present but does it mean he is in pain? Vet says it probably does but he doesn't object to work and is responsive and keen.

Any of you experienced it and any suggestions as what I can do. Net muzzles...any good??


Eagerly awaiting replies....

Clare

[shandy84]

I wouldn't write him off over it have ridden headshakers before and tried numerous things and although it can be a pain you learn to work "with it" give the nets a try that's what i've seen the best results with

Good Luck

IMO he's a gorgeous chappie!

[TBEventer2002]

There was an interesting thread regarding this several months ago...

I showed a TB gelding last summer who is a notorious head-shaker. A nose net seemed to help, but I was unable to show in it so really did me no good. I was lucky, however, to show on local circuits who knew my trainer and the horse well, so we were only penalized once (I showed hunter and dressage). It seemed much worse on the sunny days and he sometimes balked at going through the light beems thru the doors.

I also know of another TB gelding at school who has a terrible case of head-shaker. The owner remedies with some kind of medication and it helps immensely.

P.S. Neither case is caused by anything physical. Both horses are very sound, healthy, and enjoy their jobs.

[nappy-R-us]

shandy84...he is rather handsome isn't he?? Love him!!!

I have been out today and got the head shaking net reflief muzzle from equilibrium. £25, hope it helps!!!

Hmmm.....just reading instructions your bridle needs to have a padded noseband....ahh.....I have a normal caveson...oh well.......more expense...good job I just love to shop!!!

My new horse is exceptionally healthy and if it wasn't for the head shaking he would have passed a five point vetting so I am pleased about that. I think the vet was more concerned with the fact that I live on a farm and therefore there are more flies about here. (Although no oil seed rape!)

I guess the vetting vet can't possibly pass anything unless it is 100% perfect and as we all know, there are not many of them horses out there in my price bracket!

(he he he Blue was "free"!! Although, as I said before I feel sure hubby paid for him on the quiet......he is suprisingly "skint" at moment!)

Thanks for your words and advice peeps. Seems it isn't SO bad and hey, if I can't ride him on terribly hot days who cares....more time for ice creams and sunbathing!!!

regards

Clare

[TBEventer2002]

Congrats on the new horse! :)

If you are using a similar net to the one I used on Ted, you don't necessarily have to have a padded noseband. The one I used had four tiny velcro loops that just went around the noseband and the netted part hung down. Oh well. :)

Good luck, and have fun!!!

[nappy-R-us]

Sounds like the one I have. Made by Equilibrum?

I will try it on his current bridle.

I have read that head shakers are more spooky during the summer months and that they can be dangerous to hack on roads....any truth in this?

[liz--y]

i know 2 ponies that have had great success with the net, good luck hope it helps

[TBEventer2002]

Can't say on the spooky part. Both horses I know of were pretty brave souls to begin with. Ted would do it if the sun was beating down pretty hard and in the arena with the sun poking thru the doors, which led us to believe it has something to do with a sensitivity of some sort. His eyes were fine (he was doing big-time 4' hunters) and the nose net helped a little. On a bad day, he could unseat you pretty quick, especially right before or over a fence. He is DEFINATELY worse in the summer, but not spooky (just bad shakes)!

Justin (the other TB) would do it horribly when he got worked up, leading his owner to believe it had something to do with his nerves. A nose net did not help him, but good meds from the vet did (I wish I could remember what the meds were!). He hardly ever shakes his head anymore. As I only see Justin during school, I cannot say whether he is worse in the summer.

I don't think anyone really knows why headshakers are like that, especially when physical and allergic ailments are ruled out.