Hi Folks,
You look after my horse Dubious Deal (aka Vin or Big Vin); Vin has started headshaking and I need to speak with a vet about his condition.
The Symptoms:
Vin had a very minor instance of headshaking last year. His behaviour was mild up-and-down headshaking and it lasted about four days in the peak of the summer. This instance occurred at our last yard, which was in Worcestershire. We are now based at xxx in Oxfordshire.
This year Vin started headshaking about three weeks ago, much earlier than he began headshaking last year. In the last few weeks his behaviour has been far more severe than last year. Within a few minutes of commencing ridden work Vin starts to headshake (up-and-down movements). If he has a severe instance his headshaking becomes so intense that it makes him unrideable.
External Factors:
We have established that Vin’s headshaking condition is triggered – or at least exacerbated – by bright sunlight. When working in the indoor arena at ‘C’, Vin will lash out with a forefoot whenever he passes through a large shaft of sunlight that comes in over the arena double doors.
On days when the sunlight is far less intense Vin’s headshaking is minimised or – like yesterday which was very overcast – completely absent.
Another factor is that Vin has had two very minor nosebleeds twice in the last few weeks. The first was discovered when he was brought in from grazing. The second occurred when he was being walked around at a local show.
In the last four weeks Vin has had his back checked (given the all clear) and had his six-monthly dental check-up and treatment.
Feeding/Stabling/Condition/Temperament:
Vin is a fit happy and otherwise very healthy horse. He’s competition (Eventing) ready. His temperament is exemplary but he is prone to getting stressed. He is stabled in the larger American Barn which is light and airy. He is kept on a shavings/hemp bed on top of rubber matting. Vin gets turnout every day and gets ridden four or five times a week.
As well as a routine combination of feeds and haylage Vin gets daily additives, Bute-X and SuperCalm both from Global Herbs.
I’d appreciate speaking to a Vet about Vin and his condition so I can be advised of our options.
You can call me on 07xxx xxx xxx – I work in London five days a week, but I’m always available on the end of a phone call.
Sorry to hear about the head shaking. It’s a very irritating, not to mention unbalancing action.
One of ours had it, and the only way we could control it was with part of a lady’s nylon tight over her muzzle, fixed to her bridle. Looked very odd indeed, but it did help. Maybe things have moved on since then.
Will follow this with interest to see what happens.
Poor old Vin. Sounds nasty. Maybe he’s got sensitive eyes. A horse I used to ride started headshaking and it turned out to be some sort of unusual mite that had nested in his ear and caused infection. Good luck sorting the problem, hope he’s feeling better soon.