I first became involved with Poppy as his groom in 1999. Approximately 6 months later, I was given first option to buy him. He was to be my “ticket”, a promising Novice Eventer and Dressage horse.

We progressed through the dressage grades quickly, and were establishing work at Medium level and competing at Elementary level, when Poppy started headshaking.

The first manifestation was a “flapping” of his top lip, which then progressed to a sharp “flick” of his head and “striking” toward his nose with his front leg.

Initially I thought these were avoidance tactics, as he had been known in the past to pack tantrums when he didn’t want to do something. However, I started to notice that he was displaying these symptoms in the paddock as well.

I got my vet out to take a look – his immediate diagnosis was EHV infection resulting in inflammation of the facial nerves. He gave Poppy a dose of steroid to try to reduce the inflammation but this had no effect overall on his headshaking. He also gave the option of cyproheptadine and carbemazapine,
however after conducting my own research into these drugs, I decided against their use in our case.

Since that first visit, I have done much research into the causes of headshaking, and its remedies. However, at this point I have not found anything that alleviates Poppy’s symptoms.

Poppy headshakes all year round, in the paddock, in the stable, under saddle, on the lunge, in the arena, down the road, everywhere.

I have tried a mask, a blindfold, a nose net, keeping him inside out of the sun (he didn't like that at all!), a change of pasture, keeping him with a mate, keeping him by himself, hard feeding, a dose of steroids and Equine Muscle Release Therapy. None of these things have made a difference. He has also been scoped and his ears and eyes have been checked out.

From the first manifestation of headshaking symptoms, Poppy transformed from a very laid back, easy-going animal into an uptight, nervy, “wound-up” horse. 

We have had some success with an animal communicator/healer. However, it has always been short-termed; within 3 weeks of her visit Poppy resumes headshaking. Most recently, I managed to induce his headshaking by feeding him his favorite treat – a peppermint!

Recently, I have discovered that Poppy had two traumas to his head as a youngster, both resulting in bleeding from the nose.

Given Poppy’s symptoms, his history and his lack of response to many of the known remedies for headshaking, my theory is that it originates from a nerve neuralgia whether it be caused by injury (in asking for more flexion in the poll (as you do as you move up the dressage grades), I have aggravated an old injury) or by a EHV infection, possibly both.

I am currently feeding Poppy the adaptogens, in conjunction with the healing treatments, in the hope that one day I may have my boy back again.

Michelle, New Zealand, August 2004