Successful treatment for headshaking

Having read the article “New Hope for Headshakers” (EQUUS 499), I was pleased to hear that there has been continued research into headshaking. We have a 16-year-old registered Paint gelding we purchased in September of 2008 who suffers from photic headshaking. The next summer we noticed his headshaking starting, but only when he was ridden outside. Once he was brought in to the indoor arena, his headshaking would subside. Our trainer suspected he was allergic to the sun. We found that putting a nylon on his nose would greatly reduce his symptoms outside. In turnout, he would find shade, or stand with his butt to the sun and his head down, eyes closed, or in the corner of his shed.

The following summer, we learned about seasonal triggers to headshaking and a protocol to treat them by John Madigan, DVM, of the University of California, Davis. The signs matched our horse, and with support from my veterinarian, we started the therapy outlined by Dr. Madigan. This included melatonin, magnesium oxide and spirulina—a blue-green algae—fed at 5:00 p.m. each day. All three of these supplements are allowed by the FEI for showing.

After about four weeks of this protocol we noticed the signs subsiding in our horse and we no longer needed to use the nylon on his nose. We have continued this throughout the years. During late June and early July we may see an occasional flip of his nose, but that is rare. We do need to body clip him twice during the summer, as he continues to have a heavier coat due to the melatonin. He has continued to show and place in hunter/jumper schooling shows.

Jacquie Stendahl

Lindstrom, Minnesota