If you are familiar with horses, then you probably know of their head-shaking behavior. Signs of head shaking can range from simple switches to frantic jerking of the head and neck. Meanwhile, the usual factors for the condition include ear mites, rhinitis, or middle ear disease. In some cases, head shaking can be a cause of worry; in other cases, it is nothing serious. In order to be sure, visit a veterinarian so that they may identify the underlying cause.

Symptoms

Horses with head shaking typically display "normal" behavior within the stable, only showing signs of the condition after leaving the stable -- either while at pasture or while being ridden. Symptoms are also more prevalent in the warmer months of summer and spring, disappearing in the colder months. Some of the more common symptoms include:

• Extreme agitation
• Snorting
• Head tossing
• Violent shaking or jerking of the head or neck
• Wiping of the nose on the ground or legs

Horses with this condition may also place their heads in strange places such as a corner or a shady area.

Causes

Identifying the cause of head shaking in your horse may be difficult, as there are many and some have not yet been confirmed as causes for the condition. A horse's sensitivity to light is a good example of a potential, and yet unconfirmed, cause to head shaking. In many cases, head shaking is not attributed to any particular, but a few of the more typical causes include:

• Allergic reaction (e.g., grass, tree or pollen allergies)
• Severe irritation to some area of the head
• Ear mites found in the ear canal

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of head shaking is obvious; it is the underlying condition that poses the problem. A veterinarian may perform any of a battery of tests to get this diagnosis and find out what it is that may be causing the head shaking. In many cases, a cause for the head shaking may never be found.