New hope for headshakers: electro-acupuncture as a promising therapy
British study shows impressive success in the treatment of horses with headshaking syndrome
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Mysterious headshaking, an uncontrolled shaking of the head in horses, could soon be more treatable thanks to a new therapy. A British study has found that electro-acupuncture can significantly alleviate the symptoms.
The researchers analyzed the clinical data of 42 horses that were treated with this method between 2015 and 2024. The results are promising: 64 percent of the horses were able to train again without restrictions, while 31 percent only showed mild symptoms. Only in two cases did the condition worsen. The therapy is intended to reduce pain sensitivity and calm the overactive trigeminal nerve - a nerve that is considered to be the main cause of headshaking syndrome.
Despite the encouraging results, questions remain unanswered. Critics criticize the lack of a control group and the limited sample size of the study. Further studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of electroacupuncture beyond doubt. Nevertheless, the study gives horse owners worldwide hope for a new, gentle treatment option for affected animals.