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Posts: 189
 
| So I recently bought this horse who shakes his head and sort of strikes the ground with is front feet while being rode. He did not do this when I tried him..mostly it is mild and i can tolerate and just ignore..but at times it gets so bad it becomes intimidating...like i am not sure if there is more behind the behavior. It seems to get worse the more you ride. Horse also has allergies. I am wondering if there could be some connection there...he acts like something is really bothering his face...His teeth were done this spring..i may get a second opinion on the teeth..but i dont feel like that is what is the issue..as i was told this horse has always done it but only when bugs are around his face...well there have not been any real bugs to speak of...so its not bugs either..Any ideas?? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1161
| I have a horse that is doing the same thing. I am having him tested for Epm. I would love to see what others had to say |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 912
Location: Alabama | Look up shakers syndrome. Good luck! |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | What type of bit do you have on him? Make sure its not pinching or any burs on the mouth peice.. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | And another thing to check for is tmj pain.. |
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Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Not in Texas anymore. . . | My good horse has head shaking syndrome! It's a mild case and is caused from the strong sun rays during the spring and summer. (there are multiple causes) No problems in the fall or winter. I keep a fly mask on him with the nose shield during the warm times and it helps. But also have to give him 1cc of fluventazine per month to keep him comfortable! It's very painful for them (compared to getting hit in the nose with a baseball bat) but he has continued to be a top 1D horse while maintained! The fluventazine has made a huge difference!! There are many treatments for it so I just had to find what works for him. He doesn't ever paw the ground and his head shakes are very random and his nose/head just pops straight up. I've learned a lot from my vet and online vet journals, feel free to ask any questions and maybe I can help you out! |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My mare used to do it all the time. Had teeth done, ears checked. Tried patches that were recommended. Finally took the ear piece off her bridle, pulled it back a hair past her ears, and she quit. I put the ear piece back on the other day and she started shaking again. Took it back off, and she quit again. Hers was a simple fix. Hopefully yours is the same. Good luck. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
| The bit is good..no pinching or anything..its just an oring that came with him.I will try taking the ear piece off the bridle to see if that could possibly be bugging him.. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
| sca_07 - 2016-05-14 2:48 PM
My good horse has head shaking syndrome! It's a mild case and is caused from the strong sun rays during the spring and summer. (there are multiple causes) No problems in the fall or winter. I keep a fly mask on him with the nose shield during the warm times and it helps. But also have to give him 1cc of fluventazine per month to keep him comfortable! It's very painful for them (compared to getting hit in the nose with a baseball bat) but he has continued to be a top 1D horse while maintained! The fluventazine has made a huge difference!! There are many treatments for it so I just had to find what works for him. He doesn't ever paw the ground and his head shakes are very random and his nose/head just pops straight up. I've learned a lot from my vet and online vet journals, feel free to ask any questions and maybe I can help you out!
Thank you!! What causes it? |
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 Veteran
Posts: 134
| My mare does the same thing. We found it's a TMJ issue with her. She grinds too, so not surprised. I had her adjusted and acupuncture too. Worked great as well as ditching the tie down. They found her jaw was almost locked so she was struggling to move her head freely. I'll need to keep at it until the muscle memory is corrected. Not a one time fix. It seemed to be worse after I had her teeth done and I think having her mouth held open irritated it. Good luck!! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | My mare has HSS caused we believe by TMJ pain. Had good results with Cyproheptadine but was afraid of the side effects, it's an RX antihistamine. Moved her over to ENC Joint Us herbs with better results and no lethargy though I still couldn't ask her to frame up when I rode. I tried Cur-Ost on her last fall and she is doing beautifully, gaining strength to hold her collection for longer and longer periods and no trouble even on windy days. |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | http://www.nouvelleresearch.com/index.php/articles/382-headshaking-...
Read this ^ |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
| This is all very helpful!! Thank you!! Hopefully i can find a way to manage this...i really like this horse!! Anyone wanting to share more feel free!! |
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It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | My mare was never diagnoised per say with it, but I have a really strong feeling she has it. She had a fractured tooth caused by trauma when having a cap pulled off, and then got an ear infection. Ever since then she has been real sensative, bugs would drive her batty, the wind would bother her, and certain headstalls. I never could tell if it was long lasting affects from all her trauma or what but since having her on Cur-OST she is a total different horse. |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | I love the Cur-OST products as well. They have been a life saver for a horse in my barn and something that neither I nor my horses will ever be without! |
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Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Not in Texas anymore. . . | Since it's still a "syndrome" I think it's still a little bit of a mystery. There is a ton of research being done on it and all I've read is how they have learned what helps to control it. It's a neurological thing so seems to me that is specific per horse just like a neurological issue in humans! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Have you tryed just riding her in a halter to see what her reactions would be like? |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
| Have not tried him in a halter...however looking back on the days i rode him and he didnt really head shake..it was cloudy/rainy. The days he was most bothered were in sunny days...My husband thought maybe it was his eyes...im going to s tart by getting him a uv fly mask..Poor guy..i feel awful now knowing this is painful for him... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 959
Location: Borger, Tx | Another possibility is ticks! Never in a million years would I have thought that my horses could get ear ticks (we live in the panhandle of Texas, very dry and hardly any trees) but they get them and shake ther head and also develop a sensitivity to having their ears touched when there are several in there.
Good Luck!
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Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Not in Texas anymore. . . | RunfastNTurn - 2016-05-16 11:52 AM
Have not tried him in a halter...however looking back on the days i rode him and he didnt really head shake..it was cloudy/rainy. The days he was most bothered were in sunny days...My husband thought maybe it was his eyes...im going to s tart by getting him a uv fly mask..Poor guy..i feel awful now knowing this is painful for him...
This is just like my gelding with head shaking syndrome. |
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