Page 517 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

or jerking action. Some act as though a bee has flown up their nose

• Rubbing the nose on the forelimb, ground, rider, handler, stable or fence
VetBooks.ir • Striking the face with a forelimb or foot

•
Sneezing and/or snorting
• Nostril twitching

• Avoidance and dislike of bright light, wind, rain or snow on the face

• Anxious expression or staring into space
• Muzzle swelling or facial trauma

• Flipping of the upper lip

• Enlargement of the nasal muscles (nasolabialis and caninus)

• Muzzle sensitivity

• Submerging the muzzle in water or burying it in another horse’s tail or the owner’s body
• Dislike of having the headcollar put on, bridling, tightening of the noseband

• Reluctance to go forwards when ridden

• Panicky and unpredictable behaviour making the horse dangerous to ride or handle

All types of horses and ponies can be affected. Signs can be seasonal or non-seasonal,

persistent or intermittent. In some horses the signs develop in the spring and summer and
regress in the autumn and winter. Many horses are affected for longer periods each year and
some unfortunate animals experience the condition all year round. The condition is usually

aggravated by exercise, probably because of the increased air flow and turbulence in the
nasal cavities. The resultant behaviour is unpredictable and may unbalance or unseat the

rider. As exercise continues, the horse may become quite frantic in its attempts to rub its
nose. The condition is often worse when the horse is excited.

Headshaking grades

A grading system has been established as the symptoms vary in severity:

Grade 0: No headshaking.

Grade 1: Occasional head nods and tics – able to perform all activities.
Grade 2: Mild signs but still able to be ridden and perform all activities.

Grade 3: Moderate headshaking – exercise uncomfortable for horse and rider.

Grade 4: Severe headshaking at rest or exercise – unrideable.

Grade 5: Severe distress. Frenzied headshaking and unpredictable behaviour.