Photo Head Shaking Syndrome "Luv To Partee" ( Bob)

[SquisheeBee]

To anybody who may be looking up for information regarding head shaking in horses - please, please, please get them vet checked. It may be an allergy, it may be neurological, habbit, ear infection or balance, or more commonly an eye problem.

My gelding did have head shakers, but it was an allergy to a certain wildflower and can be contained with cortizon injections. He's had one so far, and if it comes back, another. There are options out there - like dampening hay to help.

[silvertreefarm]

But PLEASE do not dismiss the very real heartbreak of a neurological condition that is physiological, not psychological. All my horse was ever asked to do was walking trail rides. I too, do Parelli. I ride in a halter and leadrope. She is turned out 24/7 with a band of horses she gets on well with. Yet she has gradually progressed to being unrideable. Your experience does not define head shaking syndrome.

[silvertreefarm]

Nspitler -- Bravo to you on saving the WB. However, head-shaking is NOT simply a manifestation of stress. These horses that are being put down have been out of work for months or years, and head-shake standing in a stall or out in a paddock. It gets worse in daylight. It is seasonal. It happens outside but not in an indoor ring. I commend you on reversing years of stressful dressage riding and persevering to save your horse. But PLEASE

[silvertreefarm]

Nspitler -- Bravo to you on saving the WB. However, head-shaking is NOT simply a manifestation of stress. These horses that are being put down have been out of work for months or years, and head-shake standing in a stall or out in a paddock. It gets worse in daylight. It is seasonal. It happens outside but not in an indoor ring. I commend you on reversing years of stressful dressage riding and persevering to save your horse.

[Equestrian08]

Isn't equine photic headshaking syndrome a medical condition that causes a painful burning or other painful sensation in the muzzle? How does relaxation and confidence building fix it?

[brokefordstud]

We recently had our 6yo pts due to this horrible condition. As soon as he became warm for any reason and his blood pressure went up a bit his facial neuralgia was so bad that he would bang his head on things, rub his nose along the ground, do anything to release the pain. It was heart breaking.

[Horselover3994]

My horse just recently starting to acting like this...He is only been doing it for a few days..I need to get a vet out

[DreamAngel4990]

I am so sorry about your loss :(

My horse is a headshaker as well, but is successfully treated with a mixture of 3 herbs (adaptogens) that have really done the trick. He wasn't quite as bad as your horse unless I was riding him. It all happens in the sun - as soon as he's in the barn, the headshaking stops.

If anybody would like any information on adaptogens and what they can do for headshaking please let me know.

[maryf301]

@DreamAngel4990 A friend of mine has a horse possiblely diagnosed with this. Can you please share with me what worked for you? Thanks.

[onegoodanything]

@DreamAngel4990

I have a horse who is a head shaker. I wonder how your horse is doing, and is he on adaptogens still? Did the symptoms all go away?

[LittlefootJones]

My horse has this. And she cannot be ridden anymore because shes shakes so much that is is dangerous to the rider. I do not know what to do, and the vet says, that it migt be best if she is put down.

[nspitler1]

MAx was very bad, they tried to have him put down 2. Did ,trick training Natural Horsemanship and rode him forever in a long and low position. He was a third level dressage horse but had a lot of basics missing.He was so spooky and that was making him tense ,so I did alot of pattern conditioning. He still shakes his head if I put him in side reins and he wont stop even if I take them off. He now stays on the bit perfectly when riding. plez contact if anyone wants advice. I would luv to help

[nspitler1]

so sad. I had a $30,000 warmblood given to me for headshaking. Being a trainer I felt I may have a shot and I did cure it. No meds. Idid alot of relaxation and confidince building wirh him. took about 9 months but he is99% head shaking free. I really believe it is a manifestation of stress--like cribbng or stall weaving. Sounds crazy, but my horse is living proof

[tdeasterling]

Please share your relaxation and confidence building here. It it would save one horse, that would be wonderful! I did alot of research but nothing I did helped. Bob was a wonderful all around horse and if there were anyway for him to have been saved from death, I would gladly have done that. I am glad you were successful.

[oxHorseingAroundox]

i beleive this i ride named poe has my barn says he deosnt that he was gelded t late but i think its this but oh well sorry bout your horse

[tdeasterling]

I am so sorry that your mare has this. It is really hard on the horse itself. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Theresa

[ChelseaYA]

thank you for posting this, as hard as it must be. This just confirmed my suspicions that my mare has this syndrome.