Page 8 - Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2025

Research advances

electroacupuncture for

equine headshaking

Trigeminal nerve-mediated headshaking (TMHS) is of horses showed improvement after treatment, with a
one of the most frustrating and distressing conditions third of these experiencing complete resolution of their
faced by horse owners, riders, and veterinarians symptoms. The therapy was well tolerated with minimal
alike. This disease causes uncontrollable and often side effects, and importantly, it can be administered
painful, involuntary head shaking in horses – making safely in the horse’s usual environment, reducing stress
it dangerous for horses to be ridden, with the most and increasing accessibility.
extreme cases leading to euthanasia.
Thanks to the generosity of our ACT supporters, who funded
While the exact cause of TMHS remains unknown, there is the electroacupuncture equipment, this vital research is now
growing interest in therapies that can help reduce nerve improving treatment and welfare for horses.
sensitivity and improve quality of life. One such treatment
is electroacupuncture, a technique that uses needles
and an electric current to change the pain perception in Professor Bettina Dunkel, Head of RVC Equine shared:
the nerve. Until now, it had only been reported in a small
number of cases, with limited data available to support Electroacupuncture is a
wider use.
viable treatment option for
Thanks to an electroacupuncture machine funded by the
RVC Animal Care Trust (ACT), RVC clinicians have been horses suffering from this
able to assess the treatment in a larger group of horses devastating disease. We are
treated by a group of veterinarians, helping to advance
treatment of this condition. The group’s findings, led by very pleased with the results
Professor Bettina Dunkel, Head of RVC Equine and
supported by an RVC student, Georgia Hildon, marks a of the study and hope it will
significant step forward in evaluating electroacupuncture encourage vets and owners
for equine headshaking.
Drawing on data from forty-two horses treated between to consider this option.
2015 and 2024, the study found that nearly two-thirds

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