Equine headshaking syndrome (EHS) is characterised as non-physical and involuntary movement of the horse's head and neck. Although EHS is clinically simple to diagnose, its aetiopathogenesis often remains unclear. The aim of this study was to gain an overview of signalment and therapy possibilities used in France and Switzerland. To do this, an online survey was developed and distributed via newsletters. A total of 933 complete, answered surveys from France (n = 804) and Switzerland (n = 129) were evaluated. The median age in France was 12.4 years (CH = 14.3). Mostly geldings were affected (58.5%FRA, 57.4%CH). There was an association with Warmbloods in Switzerland (55.8%CH), but in France, in addition to Warmbloods (34.4%FRA), Thoroughbreds (27.2%FRA) were also affected. Moreover, horses affected by EHS often show stereotypical behaviour (15.7%FRA, 14.7%CH). A total of 38.4%FRA and 67.4%CH of horse owners utilised therapy measures, with nose covers being most commonly used (19.9%FRA, 30.2%CH). Horse owners resorted to alternative treatments that had not previously been studied in context with EHS (15%FRA, 20.9%CH). Conservative treatments, such as medication, were used by 5.4%CH and 1.9%FRA. This study provides an overview of the status of horses affected by EHS in France and Switzerland and thus offers a fundamental step to understanding the consequences of welfare issues associated with EHS.
Keywords: equine headshaking syndrome; horse; signalment; survey study; therapies; welfare issue.