Evaluation of some prophylactic therapies for the idiopathic headshaker syndrome

Eighteen horses affected by the idiopathic headshaker syndrome were studied in an owner assessed trial to test the efficacy of some prophylactic therapies. Riding the affected animal with a veil over the nostrils gave varying degrees of temporary relief in three of 10 horses. Local (intra-nasal) corticosteroid therapy was reported to be slightly effective in three of nine horses, but treatment with sodium cromoglycate, systemic corticosteroid, flunixin meglumine and an antihistamine were generally ineffective. Bilateral infraorbital neurectomy provided sustained relief in three of seven horses, but in one of these cases, a reaction at the neurectomy site necessitated another surgical procedure after six months. A fourth horse was reported to be slightly improved after neurectomy. A period of nasal irritation resulting in self-inflicted trauma was a common complication of this surgery.