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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med (Auckl) / Trigeminal-mediated headshaking in horses: prevalence, impac...
Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2019; 10; 1-8; doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S163805

Trigeminal-mediated headshaking in horses: prevalence, impact, and management strategies.

Abstract: Trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a little-understood neuropathic facial pain condition of the horse. The condition may affect around 1% of the equine population to a degree of severity sufficient to require veterinary attention. As a pain condition, this represents a significant welfare issue. Horses are usually more severely affected at exercise which can leave them unable to perform, or even dangerous to ride and handle. With little known about the condition and variable response to treatments, severely affected horses are often euthanized. This review article considers the literature on trigeminal-mediated headshaking, focusing on what is known, and indeed not known, about the prevalence of the condition and its impact. The current published management options are considered, along with their challenges and limitations.
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Publication Date: 2019-01-09 PubMed ID: 30666296PubMed Central: PMC6330979DOI: 10.2147/VMRR.S163805Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article looks into the issue of trigeminal-mediated headshaking in horses, which is poorly understood yet may affect up to 1% of equines severely enough to warrant veterinary care. Despite its serious implications, including hampering performance and rendering horses potentially dangerous, scant knowledge about it and inconsistent treatment responses often lead to euthanization. The paper reviews current literature on the topic, focusing on its prevalence, impact, and management strategies.

Trigeminal-Mediated Headshaking in Horses

  • This research delves into a specific problem that affects horses called trigeminal-mediated headshaking. The ailment is classified as a neuropathic facial pain condition that affects horses.
  • The condition is not well-understood in the equine community, and as such poses a serious problem since it affects approximately 1% of horses in a severe manner, prompting veterinary intervention.
  • As it is a pain-related issue, trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a significant welfare concern. Impaired performance during exercise and unpredictable behavior, such that horses may become dangerous to ride or handle, are among its side effects.

Prevalence and Impact of the Condition

  • The researchers look at existing literature to find out more about the prevalence of trigeminal-mediated headshaking. For now, it is estimated that it may affect as many as 1% of horses worldwide.
  • The impact of the condition is severe, impacting the horse’s performance and behavior, as well as their life expectancy. The pain is usually more severe during physical activities. In extreme cases, the severeness of the condition and the horse’s consequential unpredictable actions may necessitate euthanasia, which is a grave welfare concern.

Treatment and Management Challenges

  • Given the limited foundational knowledge about the disease and the sporadic response to various treatments, managing and curing trigeminal-mediated headshaking are notably difficult.
  • Published procedures for handling the problem are examined, including the difficulties and restrictions associated with these techniques. The paper implies that finding a dependable solution requires further research on understanding the disease and how it manifests in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Roberts V. (2019). Trigeminal-mediated headshaking in horses: prevalence, impact, and management strategies. Vet Med (Auckl), 10, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S163805

Publication

Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
ISSN: 2230-2034
NlmUniqueID: 101724251
Country: New Zealand
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 1-8

Researcher Affiliations

Roberts, Veronica
  • Bristol Vet School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset BS40 5HB, UK, veronica.roberts@bristol.ac.uk.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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