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Post by harleydales on May 5, 2008 19:57:57 GMT -1
I'm now convinced that Apollo's headshaking is connected to the brightness of the sun. I've been watching him over the last 2 weeks while I was at home, and it is definitely sun not pollen. He is black with a wonky blaze - which gives him one white nostril and one black one.
When he does the head flicks and twists, it is always the white nostril that is uppermost.
He wears a full face mask all day which he hates but it does help. Once it is on it is fine, but he is a tall boy with a LONG neck and getting it on i very difficult! When I ride him, he wears either a nose net which is a nuisance, or a field safe muzzle protector which is more solid and doesn't flap around or flip up.
My question is - is it the sun in his eyes that makes him react, or is it the sun on his white nostril? Sometimes if i squint at the sun it can make me sneeze - is it the same for horses?
Thinking if it is just the nostril that causes the problem, I could just use the muzzle protector in the field and not the full mask.
Thoughts would be appreciated!! I suppose the thing to do would be to try it for a few days and see, but I wondered if anyone else had any theories on the eyes/nostril thing.
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Post by harveydales on May 6, 2008 5:14:45 GMT -1
Interesting. I had heard that some horses' headshaking is triggered by sunlight but haven't really thought why/how.
Years ago when I was still riding Quest (a headshaker) I met some one whose horse was a "sunlight headshaker" and she found her horse improved dramatically when she was given a special dark vizor/eye mask from the US. So in his case, it was a sun/eye reaction.
However, it is true that white skin is often more sensitive than pigmented and perhaps sunlight would make Apollo's white nostril even more sensitive to whatever is in the air? If this is the case, would a sunblock help? I suppose just using the nose net without the full head mask should give you some idea. With Quest, he was also worse in bright sunlight but a load of other things also triggered it such as wind, stress, flies etc etc. It was deffinately his nostrils and they would be red and inflamed looking.
It seems to be a very complicated set of reactions..........
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Post by nars on May 6, 2008 5:50:53 GMT -1
There is quite a bit of US research on this and it is possible to buy some biggles type goggles for horses that suffer. I can't remember the name, but if you google the subject you may get the link.
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Post by olivia on May 6, 2008 8:43:30 GMT -1
About 15 years ago I used to go to a riding centre in Wales and they had a white mare with blue eyes (can't for the life of me remember the colour - I've been out of horses for TOOOOOOO long). She really suffered in sunlight and was a headshaker - they made her a funky eye shade from a piece of blue perspex which ran from cheek piece to cheek piece. Wearing this the mare was very happy and hacked out all over the place. She was turned out in a little orchard so had loads of shade in there and didn't wear it. It sounds like things have come on from blue perspex though  Olivia |
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Post by southerner on May 10, 2008 12:14:33 GMT -1
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Post by tinastephenson on May 25, 2008 19:50:43 GMT -1
curly is a chronic headshaker, unfortunately masks etc do not help at all. his is pollen and now, after 3 years trying to find a cure, we pull shoes off and he has a summer holiday. dangerous to ride him...
contact liverpool university, they were doing extensive tests on all sorts of headshaking and they may be able to advise?
sorry not to be of more help, but fully appreciate the time you are going through.....
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Post by harleydales on May 28, 2008 19:29:01 GMT -1
I tried Liverpool last year and they were very nice, but said they were over-run with people wanting horses tested and to help with experiments, but I haven't tried this year.
I think I will contact them now I have more of an idea of what causes the problem - thanks.
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Post by tinastephenson on May 29, 2008 19:43:34 GMT -1
has your vet tried piriton? i know its a human drug really, we had curly on 32 a day! did not work for him but I know it does for some, also some horses are affected by bits? they press on the nerve that then sends shocks to the brain.
sorry i am not more scientific, there is a special web site that is dedicated to headshaking, gives loads of ideas.
Curly is better in a crossover bitless bridle, no longer cures him unfortunately, it appears that in most horses the 'affected' time increases year on year. certainly seems the case in Curly. used to be 5 months a year now running to 7 or 8....
I will try to find the name of the website for you, gives lots of ideas worth trying, also global herbs do a product worth trying.
I really feel for you, its frustrating let alone dangerous for horse and rider.....
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Post by wdf on Jul 22, 2008 12:24:28 GMT -1
My mare is a headshaker and for years i've tried different lotions & potions, the alternative was to have a field ornament and NOT to ride as she would throw herself & me to the floor and thrash her face on the ground  UNTIL we were introduced to "Clarity", its actually a breathing/lung suppliment BUT uses the same herbs that the headshaking ones have too. That along with her dressage nose net she became "safe" to ride. She has to have her net on from about March to Nov so all year round really but if she's happy - Im happy. She initially had the FULL dosage for ages and now i can keep her ticking over with only one scoop every day (not just during the summer). Trial & error is all id advise, sorry  |
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Post by nars on Jul 30, 2008 19:45:04 GMT -1
The goggles/mask is called a Guardian mask. it blocks out 95% of the UV rays and can now be bought in the UK at two stockists. One in Cambridgeshire and one in Cornwall.
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Post by southerner on Aug 12, 2008 17:40:47 GMT -1
have used a guardian - they even do a riding one. had a pony with moon blindness
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