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Some horses suffer from what is called headshaking. But what exactly is it? Why do some horses develop this condition? And what can be done about it? As the name suggests, horses with headshaking exhibit abnormal head movements. The horse can shake its head in all directions. Despite having known about headshaking for a long time, the exact causes are still not definitively understood. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms and possible underlying causes.
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As mentioned, horses suffering from headshaking can move their heads in all directions. Some horses also curl their upper lip, play with their tongue, rub their muzzle against their front legs, fence posts, or the ground, and/or stomp their front legs. There may also be discharge from the horse's tear ducts, and clear or whitish mucus may flow from the nostrils.
Symptoms often worsen on warm, sunny days. Photosensitive horses will avoid strong sunlight by seeking shade. They may try to hide their heads under the tails of pasture mates or press their heads against a wall. For some horses, symptoms worsen in windy conditions, while for others, wind may relieve the symptoms. Additionally, symptoms may intensify if the horse becomes stressed or if something new happens, though in some cases, stress or new stimuli may reduce the symptoms.
Although headshaking primarily manifests through the horse's behavior, it is rarely a "behavioral problem." It is not a sign of the horse being naughty or uncooperative. Instead, headshaking is typically caused by some form of physical condition.
Currently, there are about 60 known causes of headshaking. For example, headshaking can be due to allergies, ear mites, blocked sinuses, inflamed tooth roots, and respiratory issues. Other potential causes include middle ear infections, tumors in the sinuses or nasal passages, fungal infections, free-floating bodies in the eye chambers, and dental problems. It can also result from arthritis in the hyoid bone, issues with the nuchal ligament, bone splinters or scar tissue in the spine, hormonal imbalances, and nerve pain. Nerve pain is often associated with the trigeminal nerve, which frequently causes problems.
If the nerves around the horse's eyes are damaged, the horse may become very sensitive to light. Irritation from particles or air currents could be due to damage to the nerves around the nose/muzzle. Sensitivity to touch suggests that the more peripheral nerves are damaged. If the horse begins headshaking during exercise, it may be due to nerves being compressed by blood vessels that expand as the horse's pulse rises.
Nerve pain can also result from misalignments in the skull or spine, an injury from a fall or blow to the head, or jaw alignment problems. Additionally, pressure from the bit may affect nerves in the horse's mouth. A viral infection, such as herpes (EHV), can also lead to nerve pain.
It appears that geldings are about twice as likely as mares to develop headshaking, while stallions rarely show symptoms. However, this has not been scientifically proven. This difference may be because only a small percentage of stallions remain intact, and many mares are primarily used for breeding. Thus, geldings are more often used for sport or recreational activities, and therefore more likely to be diagnosed with headshaking.
Additionally, both mares and stallions can be used for breeding, whereas geldings "cannot be used for anything else" if they do not perform as expected. There is also a theory that the higher occurrence of headshaking among geldings may be related to the hormonal changes caused by castration.
As previously mentioned, more scientific studies are needed to confirm if there is a gender difference in headshaking and, if so, what the underlying cause might be. Interestingly, in humans, women are more often affected by trigeminal nerve pain (which is one of the causes of headshaking in horses) than men.
There is also anecdotal evidence suggesting that thoroughbreds and horses with a high percentage of thoroughbred blood are more prone to headshaking than cold-blooded horses and ponies.
However, scientific studies are also lacking here. Like potential gender differences, it is possible that the explanation lies in the fact that thoroughbreds are more commonly used for sport or recreational activities than cold-blooded horses and ponies, and are therefore more likely to be diagnosed with headshaking.
Additionally, cold-blooded and pony breeds, which tend to have more stoic temperaments, may not express pain and discomfort as clearly as horses with a higher percentage of thoroughbred blood. This could also support the theory that headshaking predominantly affects horses with a higher thoroughbred percentage. But again, scientific research is needed to determine whether there are breed differences and, if so, what causes them.
If you have tried the above steps, your results will be very helpful for the veterinarian. It is generally a good idea to attempt the steps mentioned in consultation with your vet. The veterinarian will conduct a clinical examination by inspecting and palpating the horse. Diagnostic tools such as:
Treatment depends on the cause of the horse’s headshaking. If the condition is pain-related, identifying and addressing the cause of the pain is critical. If the headshaking is due to allergies, anti-allergy medications may help. If nerve pain is the cause, surgery may be an option.
In such a surgery, space can be created for the nerve if it is being compressed, or the nerve can be severed so that the horse no longer feels anything in the affected area. Certain medications, such as those used for epilepsy and depression, have also proven helpful for some horses. Other options include:
There are various types of nets that can be attached to the bridle's noseband and hang down in front of the muzzle. These muzzle nets have been shown to help many headshakers, though it is unclear exactly how they work. The mesh is generally too large to filter out pollen and other allergens, but it’s possible that the net’s contact with the muzzle/nostrils provides a pleasant scratching effect that reduces irritation, or that the net alters the airflow in the horse’s nostrils, reducing irritation from wind or particles in the nasal passages.
Various face masks can also be beneficial. If the headshaking is due to photosensitivity, it is important to choose a mask that effectively protects the horse’s eyes from UV rays. If the horse is irritated by insects around its head, a standard fly mask or ear net may suffice.
Although not scientifically proven, many horse owners report a positive effect from various herbal blends on their horses' headshaking. 60% of horse owners in a study of 200 headshakers said they had tried herbal blends for allergies, respiratory issues, immune problems, or stress. Over 40% of cases showed complete or partial improvement.
Homeopathy is another option that many owners have had good experiences with, although its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. In the aforementioned study of 200 headshakers, 40% had tried homeopathy, and of those, 40% saw either full or partial improvement. In a small German study, 9 out of 11 horses benefited from a combination of homeopathy and changes in management procedures. Horses whose headshaking is allergy-related may benefit the most from homeopathy.
Physiotherapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, and similar treatments have also been found to help some horses. However, scientific studies are still needed to determine the efficacy of these treatments and which types of headshakers might benefit from them. It is likely that horses suffering from back problems, severe muscle tension, or similar issues could benefit from such treatments.
Soaking the horse's hay before feeding or switching to wrapped hay instead of dry hay may help horses whose headshaking is allergy-related. Locally produced honey might also help. The theory is that the honey contains small amounts of local pollen, helping the horse build tolerance to it.
Avoiding feeds that contain sugar and other refined ingredients may also benefit some headshakers. Some owners have reported positive results from supplementing magnesium and/or vitamin C, although scientific evidence is still lacking. It’s important to note that supplementing various vitamins and minerals can affect the balance between them, so such supplements should only be given in consultation with a veterinarian or feed expert.
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