Headshaking advice/research links

Is your horse a headshaker?????

Below is a list of symptoms associated with headshaking:

- Symptoms may start in March/April and end in September/October.

 - Symptoms increase in intensity as stress or workload increases.

 - Scratches his nose on his foreleg or an object.

 - Buries his nose in the tail of the horse in front of him.

 - Personality changes - an unhappy horse.

 - Constant sneezing/snorting while working.

 - Shakes at trot/cantor, but not at a walk.

 - Riding into the wind increases symptoms.

 - Suddenly jerks his head up almost hitting the rider.

 - Constant blowing nose as if to expel something.

 - Less energy/lethargic - droops head with loose reins.

 - Shakes violently enough to lift front legs off of the ground.

 - Holds his nose under water up to his eyes.

 - Stares blankly off into the distance as if he sees something.

 - Jerks suddenly like a bee just stung his nose.

 - Sticks his nose in a bush.

 - Symptoms worsen around Rape Seed fields.

 - Stands under a tree in the shade while pasture mates are eating grass.

 - Shakes in enclosed places - woods, surrounded by bushes, etc.

 - Coughs a lot.

 - Reacts to artificial lighting if working for an extended period.

 - Reacts to bright sunlight reflecting off of snow.

 - Kicking one or the other foreleg towards their head.

 - Squints in bright sunlight.

 - Reacts to the varying flashes of light when being ridden in the woods.

 - Excessively aggravated by flies.

 - Muzzle extremely sensitive to touch.

 (Capstar Equine Products LLC). 

As once suggetsed, headshaking doesn't seem so be caused by EHV-1:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/30948/study-ehv-1-not-linked-to-headshaking

For those interested in the pens treatment...

http://www.bris.ac.uk/…/…/january/headshaking-in-horses.html

Interesting article that answers why a significant percentage of horses that headshake are hypersensitive everywhere, and not just the face. It is a lot easier for us to notice the headshaking as opposed to tail flicking - both of which are the anti-fly reflex system. Also providing an explanation as to why headshaking is significantly reduced in darkness and also increased during exercise. * Please note we are not trying to promote the product, just the physiological explanation behind headshaking.

http://www.equiwinner.com/headshaking.html

A brilliant read from one of the best in the field:

http://www.equinedental.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Headshaking-EQUINE-FORUM-2012.pdf

The most effective treatments for headshaking:

http://davidmarlin.co.uk/portfolio/what-are-the-most-effective-treatments-for-headshaking-in-horses/