Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Head tossing--Is it an allergy?

From: Sharon

Dear Jessica: Your column is a gem! I have a question about my 13-year-old Canadian thoroughbred gelding Toby. As soon as Spring comes and until about mid-fall, Toby habitually tosses his head both during turn-out and while being ridden. He looks terribly uncomfortable. I was told by his previous owner that he suffers from allergies. Their recommendation to place a ladies knee-high stocking over his nose seems to eliminate the problem while I'm riding him, but it isn't the most comfortable thing for him, and it sure is unsightly. Toby is in good health otherwise. He has had a sore back in his school horse days, but seems to be recovered from that now. Have you encountered this problem before? Is there anything more permanent that can be done? He is such a willing horse--this is our only obstacle!! Thanks for your help, Sharon

Hi Sharon! Thanks for the kind words. ;-)

I'm so sorry for poor Toby, and it's probably very little comfort to know that he's in quite a large company of horses and humans who suffer from seasonal reactions to airborne particles. If this method works for him, use it and don't worry about the appearance. Toby may be mildly allergic, or he may have a more severe problem. There is some evidence to indicate that headshakers -- many of which get almost, or entirely, uncontrollable -- are suffering from MUCH more than the equine equivalent of human "hay fever". They are experiencing PAIN, and severe pain at that -- it's a nerve problem apparently.

This is a subject that's had a LOT of attention over the last few years. There may be several different forms of headshaking, and different reasons for the problem. My first advice is -- of course, you KNEW I was going to say this -- TALK TO YOUR VET. He may have previous experience with the problem and he may be aware of the latest research. If he isn't quite up to speed on this particular subject, here are my suggestions for getting more information: If you have a web browser, you might look it up in the various veterinary forums under "headshaking" or "photic headshaking." In fact, one person who has a "headshaker" horse has actually gone to the trouble of collecting material on the subject and making it available on his web pages. His name is Tim Shurtleff and you can find this information at

http://www.usmo.com/~tshrtlef/pht/htm

You might also use your browser to look up "CyproheptAdine", which is the drug that has been used experimentally on headshakers (and apparently with some success) at U-Cal Davis.

Good luck -- I know how frustrating this can be, and how sorry you feel for your horse.

Jessica

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