Prevalence of headshaking within the equine population in the UK

Abstract

Summary Reason for performing study Headshaking in horses has been reported to be most commonly due to idiopathic neuropathic facial pain (trigeminal‐mediated headshaking). The prevalence of headshaking in horses in the UK is unknown. Objectives To estimate owner‐reported prevalence of headshaking in horses in the UK and to report their case background and disease characteristics, as reported by owners. Study design Cross‐sectional web based owner questionnaire. Methods The questionnaire was advertised online via social media, horse forums, veterinary websites and equestrian magazines from 17th June 2016, until >1000 responses had been obtained. All UK horse owners were eligible to complete the questionnaire, however only one questionnaire could be completed per owner. Results The estimated prevalence of owner‐reported headshaking in the sample population of horses (n = 1014), within the last year, was 4.6% (95% confidence interval 3.5–6.1), whereas 6.2% (95% confidence interval 4.9–7.9) of horses were reported by their owners to have shown signs of headshaking at any time‐point since ownership. There was no association of sex or breed. Nineteen percent of headshaking horses were reported to show headshaking at rest. Fewer than one‐third (30.2%, n = 19) of headshaking horses had been examined by a veterinarian for headshaking. Of horses seen by a veterinarian, the cause for headshaking remained unknown in the majority of cases (57.9% responses) and trigeminal‐mediated headshaking was reported as a diagnosis in just one case. Main limitations The accuracy in data reporting by horse owners was not verified in this study. There may be a potential for bias towards over‐reporting due to the nature of survey participation. Conclusions Within this sample, owner‐reported prevalence of signs of headshaking within the last year, in horses in the UK was 4.6%. Over two‐thirds of owners of headshaking horses did not seek veterinary intervention for headshaking. Trigeminal‐mediated headshaking was rarely reported by owners as a diagnosis.