Headshaking Syndrome

Headshaking sounds such an innocuous term but it can make the affected horse’s life a misery and render them un-rideable. Horses may shake their heads for a variety of reasons: for example due to pain in the mouth or back. In some, it may be a response to stress or in anticipation of food or exercise. All of these are voluntary actions; the horse is choosing to toss his head. Headshaking syndrome is different, it is an involuntary action thought to be caused by pain in a nerve supplying the face.