Vet notes

Nodding away flies and giving the odd head bob is normal horse behaviour, but full-blown headshaking could mean something rather more serious is going on. Vet Leona Bramall explains what can happen and how it can be managed

Understand headshaking and how it can be managed

YOUR HORSE IS uncontrollably and involuntarily shaking his head in a violent fashion, jerking it up and down while also snorting and sometimes rubbing his muzzle. He seems distressed. He is a headshaker, and while the number of affected horses in the UK is low, those who do suffer with this distressing condition may also (less commonly) shake their head horizontally or rotationally in a movement that’s neither behavioural nor stereotypical in nature and which shouldn’t be confused with head tossing.