Page 9 - Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2025

RESEARCH

Electroacupuncture

helps Star shine again

For Star, an eight-year-old mare who developed
severe headshaking, electroacupuncture received at
the RVC Equine Referral Hospital has been life-changing.
Star joined her family three years ago, with no signs of
any health problems. But a few months later, she began
shaking her head whilst being ridden, and on the lunge
and whilst being led. At first, her owners thought it might
be seasonal, but Star’s symptoms only continued.
Star was referred to RVC Equine with a suspected ear tooth
– a cyst that develops near the ear – which was removed
during an operation. They hoped Star might improve, but
when her symptoms persisted, she was diagnosed with
trigeminal nerve-mediated headshaking (TMHS).
Despite trying various medications, nothing seemed to
ease her headshaking. Eventually, Star was referred back
to RVC Equine to begin electroacupuncture.
At that stage, her condition had progressed to the point
that she was no longer safe to ride, and her family thought
she might need to be retired altogether. However, over
the course of five or six sessions, the electroacupuncture
produced remarkable results – Star began improving
almost immediately.
Although her headshaking hasn’t disappeared completely,
it is now much more manageable. Simple measures,
such as using a nose net, which hadn’t helped before,
now provide relief for Star. Her owners also discovered
that splashes of water from her feathers (longer hair
around the lower part of the horse’s leg) can trigger her
symptoms, so they take extra care to avoid this. Reflecting on the experience, Star’s owner said:
Thanks to the treatment received at RVC Equine, Star has
been able to return to an active and fulfilling life, enjoying I'm very grateful the
show jumping and cross-country once again. electroacupuncture machine
Stories like Star’s are only possible thanks to the generosity was funded by donations.
of our supporters, whose contributions help us fund
pioneering equipment and treatments that transform I think the outcome for
the lives of horses and the people who care for them. Star would have been very

Pony Star competing different if she had not had the
treatment. I also feel very lucky
that we had an amazing team

at the RVC who helped her.

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