Headshaking sufferers wanted for study
Equine researchers are seeking severe headshaking sufferers for a study, in the hope of finding a cure for the condition in the near future.
Scientists at the University of Bristol's vet school are making comparisons between the causes of equine headshaking and similar human conditions, such as neuralgia.
In order to carry out the research, scientists are calling owners that are contemplating having their horse put to sleep because of headshaking, to donate it to the vet school instead.
The researchers are looking for horses that have developed headshaking as a result of facial pain. This is because the most common cause of neuralgia in humans is damage to the infraorbital nerve, which runs through the face.
It is hoped that, if the cause of headshaking is found to be the same as that of neuralgia, human treatment for the condition could be adapted for horses.
Veronica Roberts, who will be leading the study, said: "I have limited funding, but it is enough for me to fund post mortems for five headshakers and five normal horses.
"I need three more headshakers, but they must have undergone a good veterinary investigation to show their headshaking is due to facial pain."
Vets can contact Veronica via email if they know a horse that is suitable for the study.
Veronica is willing to pay travel and euthanasia costs.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
