Headshaking and Wind???

[SweetieG]

This afternoon I realized that my sweet mare may have headshaking syndrome. I had never heard of it until I was describing my interesting ride to a friend and then starting putting some pieces together (and of course googling, reading, and going nuts).

I obviously need to have a vet thoroughly check her out to rule out other possible causes, but I wanted to describe our situation to see if any of you have experienced something similar and have any advice.

About 3 weeks ago she started tossing her head randomly in the crossties in the barn. She's standing in front of the large floor fan. I would say, while grooming/tacking up, she may toss her head vertically about 5 times. When it began, her nose was sunburned, and I thought flies were lighting on her nose. I have since noticed that there really are no flies at the time of her tossing her head. I then thought it was her long whiskers blowing and tickling her nose. Well, her nose is no longer sunburned so I'm just thinking I need to clip her whiskers although they've never been a problem before.

Today was the first time she tossed her head under saddle. It was a very overcast/drizzly day so I really don't think hers would be photosensitivity. It was when we started to pick up speed that she would toss her head a bit. At first I thought she was overreacting to a fly but then at one point it got so bad I decided to dismount and try to figure out the problem. No fly. No whiskers going up her nose. Well, I rubbed her nose for her, remounted, and continued on with a few more slight head tosses (never at the walk).

What do you think? If it is headshaking syndrome is the wind trigger common? Obviously I'm hoping it's ear mites or something other more treatable cause. The fact that it has been going on in the crossties for a few weeks makes me think it's not teeth or tack related. I have not noticed it in her stall or in the pasture.

I'll be calling the vet first thing in the am.

[Highflyer]

For my horse, on a bad day, anything touching his nose is enough to set him off. Wind, rain, bugs, sweat... When he's very bad, he's less like traditional "bee up the nose" and more like "OMG I have something on my face? Get it off!" Ironically, he doesn't headshake at all with his nose net on, but of course it isn't legal for dressage.

The more I learn about it, the more it seems that every horse is slightly different, both in what triggers them and in what brings them relief. Mine was diagnosed by use of a nose cover, since that won't cure any of the other problems--I just used a rub rag ducttaped to his noseband at first.

Fingers crossed for you that it's something else. I wouldn't wish a headshaker on my worst enemy.

[baytraks]

SweetieG, let me start by saying I am sorry for you and your mare. My former stallion started by headshaking on the cross ties, and I have pages of notes and records on where it went from there. In direct answer to your question, yes, wind and driving drizzles would start him headshaking in the turn-out paddock.

I second the comments of Highflyer; would not wish this on anyone or any horse. After years of diagnostics and treatments, ours (now a gelding) has recently found some relief with melatonin, but each horse is different. Practical Horseman and The Horse have both published recent articles on headshaking, and there is a Yahoo group for headshaking.

Unfortunately, not all medical issues can be "fixed." Best of luck to you and your horse.