Equine headshaking treatment sought after
The long-term success rate of a new "pioneering" surgical procedure in the treatment of headshaking syndrome in horses has been evaluated by academics from the University of Bristol and the University of Liverpool.
The main symptom of headshaking syndrome is an uncontrollable shaking or jerking of the head for no apparent reason. The diagnosis and treatment for this condition has progressed, but the pathology of the disease remains unknown and further research is needed.
The study was led by Veronica Roberts, clinical fellow in equine medicine at the Bristol School of Veterinary Science. She evaluated a procedure called the “caudal compression of the infraorbital nerve”, which sees platinum coils placed into the nerve ends within the canal to relieve pain.
The study found this surgery could be a possible option for treatment, with a long-term success rate of nearly 50 per cent. However, researchers are continually working to find a more effective treatment method.
Miss Roberts said: "There are striking clinical similarities between facial pain syndromes in people, most notably trigeminal neuralgia, and headshaking in horses.
"Headshaking in horses is a major welfare issue and more research is needed on the aetiopathogenesis of this pain syndrome to improve medical and surgical therapies. Headshaking is a significant cause of distress for some horses and this treatment in selected cases is needed even though the failure rate is limited."
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
