Headshaking - a distressing condition for both Horse and Rider -

Although being increasingly studied, very little is known about the cause of abnormal headshaking in horses. As a result, owners are desperate for information and some helpful guidelines.

What Is Headshaking?
Headshaking is described as the sudden, intermittent and apparently involuntary tossing of the head. It can occur to such an extent that both horse and rider are thrown off balance or the unfortunate rider is knocked in the face. It derives from the horse's normal and natural impulsion to shake the head when bothered by flies in the field or when feeling frustrated.

However, a horse is called an abnormal headshaker when this shaking occurs under saddle and for no apparent reason. The severity of symptoms can vary widely between individuals, so widely that the distinction becomes unclear between those that are classic headshakers and those that are 'nodders' or 'head bobbers' (those that shake their heads more out of boredom or frustration rather than for the reasons that follow).

At the other end of the extreme, some headshakers are so dangerous and distressed that they have to be put down.

Clinical Signs
· Main sign - sudden and apparently involuntary, vertical tossing of the head when ridden.
· Very often occurs only after 10 minutes into exercise, i.e. when the horse is warmed up and frequently at the trot, though headshaking can occur at any pace.
· Some horses shake all year round but the majority show a distinct seasonal pattern, the headshaking beginning in the spring (April onwards in the UK) worsening over the summer and easing into autumn.

These horses appear symptom free over the winter with only the occasional bout (often on bright sunny days).

	Horizontal or rotary headshaking.
	Headshaking at rest (i.e. when in the field, in the stable, or when being led).
	Flipping of the upper lip.
	Acting as though a bee has gone up its nose.
	Headshaking more when excited or stressed.
	Snorting.
	Sneezing.
	Attempts to rub their nose on objects whilst moving, e.g. your leg, the ground, their foreleg, stationary objects.
	Striking out with the foreleg, often at the nose.

Headshaking has been associated with nearly 60 diseases and conditions, including, EPM, ear mites, eye problems, guttural pouch mycosis and vasomotor rhinitis (Cook 1980b, Lane & Mair 1987). Usually these diseases will show other symptoms along with the headshaking that can be used to diagnose the disease.

For further more detailed information on headshaking here are some useful dedicated websites:

http://www.medstats.dmu.ac.uk/headshaking/
http://www.guardianmask.com/HeadShaking.html


DISCLAIMER We recommend that the best person to examine and test your horse for ANY health problem is your own veterinary surgeon who has been trained to determine the best course of action for you and your horse(s) when faced with health problems.