TiWhatle there’s the alternative? What’s the alternative:

Photo © 1st Class Images HELP FOR HEADSHAKERS

Two years ago Lorraine Hocking bought Delilah in January headshaking. I had all the usual thought she had lost her 2010. We were looking for back and teeth checks done. The an all-rounder and she was vet prescribed steroids which Delilah, but thanks to Equine I exactly as described in the advert. we started mid August. I did my Breathing they are back out The first six months with her was research and could see from other hacking, competing and enjoying wonderful with lots of hacking, people’s experiences that steroids jumping, cross country schooling didn’t work, so we came off them life together and our first competition. as soon as we could. The vet Then in the late July early August then prescribed of 2010 we had to move yard and tegretol but I sent them back suddenly and within a week our as my research told me they beautiful horse was unrideable. were also unlikely to work. We I knew what the symptoms were started on a course of Chinese and the vet confirmed that is was herbal medicine which seemed to

8 October / November 2013 HorsemanshipMagazine.co.uk ‘ equineTit healle hereth

seminar. She showed me how to cover one nostril and almost Within a month I immediately I could see Delilah was able to use a relax. bridle and since I continued this over the winter months and noticed a difference then we haven’t in Delilah’s demeanour. While looked back working Delilah at liberty she would go to the side of the school and stand with her nose pressed against the wall. Was she trying 1N for herself? Eventually the ‘ evidence was overwhelming and in April 2012 I purchased an help her a little, but she was still Equine Breather. unrideable. Within 48 hours I could see As summer turned to autumn a difference, within the first there was still no improvement. week I was able to gently lunge Then suddenly, on 1st November, Delilah in a rope halter with no the symptoms completely symptoms. Within two weeks I disappeared. We started exercise had saddled her up and was riding again and all seemed well. The in walk with the rope halter. winter went by and we were Within a month I was able to use having a lovely time but on 11 a bridle and since then we haven’t March 2011 we went for a hack looked back. At the end of and the headshaking was back Autumn 2012 we were going out with a vengeance. on two hour hacks and I was able I took her to the dentist and to put her in the trailer and go to had her teeth rasped, but saw no training events. We even started Lorraine lovely horse again, I am so glad improvement in her symptoms. jumping again! and Delilah I persevered. I now have my A homeopathic vet prescribed I have had to be diligent with wearing her amazing horse back thanks to homeopathy and acupuncture. my regime. I try to use the Equine Breather Equine Breathing. The first acupuncture session Breather three to four times a before a I would love to think that other worked well and symptoms week for about 30-45 minutes per competition who headshake will benefit completely disappeared for about session. I usually put it on Delilah from us sharing our story, I would 36 hours but then came back. while I am grooming and tacking encourage owners of headshakers The homeopathic tablets didn’t up. When she is in her stable she to get in touch with Equine work. Delilah also had three wears the All Weather Breather Breathing and try it, they chiropractic treatments within on a breakable headcollar. I use won’t regret it. a few weeks, but this made no a fly mask and fly rug when she is difference to the headshaking. in the field and when hacking in In August 2011 we decided to the summer I use a Cashel riding Note from Clare move yard again and I called a fly mask which works well if there at Equine Breathing different vet for another opinion, are lots of flies. Now is a good time to start Equine but she also confirmed idiopathic It is now August 2013 and Breathing, especially if your horse headshaking and suggested I give Delilah’s recovery continues. has no symptoms over the winter. euthanasia consideration due to We have been competing for It will give the horse time to the severity of her symptoms. I about six months and she has improve so that by next spring he continued with the Chinese herbal been placed in both dressage and is more likely to cope with over- medicine and also had a course competitions. We breathing triggers such as pollen, of cranial osteopathy but the did our first unaffiliated one day sun and warmth and to avoid headshaking was now constant. event at Rabson Manor a couple symptoms. The simple technique During the winter of 2012 of weeks ago and are planning to of 1N is easy to do using the free a friend suggested an equine start in September. instructions at breathing technique called 1N Two years ago I could have www.equinebreathing.com which she had heard about at a lost all hope of ever riding my

HorsemanshipMagazine.co.uk October / November 2013 9