About Us
Bringing science, experience, and expertise together to help headshaking horses back to health.
A platform to help headshaking horses worldwide live happy, healthy lives
my story with headshaking
From irritation to fascination
It all started in 2015 when I first met a horse struggling with headshaking syndrome. The owner had tried almost everything and felt completely lost. The tics were so severe that her horse spent most of its time in a dark stall, avoiding any stimulation, and living a life that was far from normal for a horse. She had heard about my method, which included attention to the horse’s head, and she hoped it might finally make a difference for her mare.
At first, even though I could see clear tension points on her head and had a good idea of what might be causing the problem, my approach at the time didn’t seem to help. It felt like I was hitting an invisible wall. In 2015, very little was medically understood about headshaking syndrome. It was often dismissed as a behavioral issue with no clear cause. People had started noticing factors like sunlight, pollen, or touch, and nerve-block studies were underway, but there was still no reliable solution.
What really bothered me was seeing the horse clearly in discomfort while the medical understanding didn’t match what I was observing. I could see the signals, yet my approach wasn’t working. That frustration quickly turned into curiosity. I wanted to understand what was really happening. I studied similar conditions in humans, explored anatomy and scientific research from around the world, and discussed my ideas with veterinarians. I constantly compared theory with what I observed in the horses, gradually building a more complete understanding.
Eventually, I developed a specific approach that uses fascia to address multiple body systems in the horse. I felt it needed to be tested with this particular mare, so I called the owner, and together we carefully observed and guided the horse. In the first few days, changes were subtle, but by the third day, the mare had stopped shaking her head. We didn’t know exactly why it worked, but the result motivated me to keep refining and understanding the method.
As new cases came in, each horse presented differently. The approach that worked for one didn’t always work for another. Each time, I turned frustration into curiosity and kept researching, observing, and testing ways to support these horses effectively.
Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of headshaking horses. Through this process, I discovered patterns, explored possible underlying causes, and became fully specialized in this complex syndrome. I have also had two horses of my own with headshaking, so I know first-hand how worrying it can be for an owner. At the same time, this experience fueled my passion to help other owners tackle this challenging problem.
Thanks to years of experience, research, and collaboration with veterinarians and other specialists, I have been able to refine an approach that gives headshaking horses the best chance at a healthier, happier life. My mission is to share this knowledge, support owners, and create a platform where science, expertise, and care come together to make a real difference for horses worldwide.
My dear mare kept shaking her head, and it was heartbreaking to watch at times. The veterinarian had already examined her and discovered a tooth that was causing irritation, which was then removed. Even after that, she continued to shake her head. I tried all sorts of things myself, like fly nets and other measures, but nothing seemed to help.
Then Janneke came to work with us. She noticed that my mare was carrying a lot of tension in her body and had significant pressure in her head. At first, my mare was not comfortable with the treatment, but over time Janneke gained her trust, and she gradually became calmer and more relaxed.
Janneke is amazing. She takes her time, works with patience and love for the horse, and was able to bring my mare completely free of symptoms. I will be forever grateful to her for that.
Pamela
Horse: Trea
My horse started headshaking about three years ago. He had a strange tic with his head, a quick nod, which first appeared in the paddock and eventually also during riding. I found Janneke through Facebook, and I was immediately impressed by her knowledge and genuine love for horses.
I asked Janneke to work with my horse, Chico. After the first session, I could already notice a difference; his tic was much less during riding. After the second treatment, the tic had almost completely disappeared. Chico became more relaxed in his body, and his movements during riding improved significantly. Janneke treats the whole horse, and that holistic approach made a real difference.
Thanks to her, I was able to start competing again, and we are now riding at the ZZ-light level.
Simone
Horse: Chico
My advice to you
Start by understanding the problem, then focus on the solution.
You might be tempted to try everything with your horse in the hope that the headshaking will just disappear.
Unfortunately, that is rarely a guarantee of success. In fact, it often leads to one disappointment after another, and a lot of time spent on approaches that may not even be addressing the right underlying issues.
Solving headshaking syndrome requires a complete, dedicated approach. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s not something that can be fixed quickly. Often, a multidisciplinary perspective is needed, which makes it incredibly valuable to bring together expertise from different fields.
The good news is that there is a logical approach that can guide you step by step through observing, analyzing, and understanding what is really going on with your horse. My advice is to start here, so you first gain clarity about the problem before choosing an approach that is truly suited to your horse.
Let’s help your horse feel comfortable and happy again.
Simple, step-by-step guidance you can start for free!
I am so grateful to Janneke. She really knows what she’s doing and has an incredible amount of knowledge. She works so gently with the horse that it truly relaxes and feels comfortable. I highly recommend Janneke to anyone who doesn’t know what to do with their horse due to headshaking or if their horse isn’t feeling well.
Sylvia
Horse: Edel
Janneke is a true expert. She quickly identifies what is off in a horse’s posture and connects the dots, so within minutes you have a clear idea of what might be going on. The great thing is that she can also treat the horse and knows exactly what is needed. Janneke is both practical and intuitive. You can trust her completely with your horse.
Ilaria
Horse: Toes
My mare suffered from a severe form of headshaking while riding, which had become too dangerous. I tried everything, from lavender and fly sprays to supplements, a different bit, bridle adjustments, riding in the dark, and even osteopathy, but nothing worked. At first, I was skeptical, but I decided to seek Janneke’s help.
Janneke is calm, kind, and genuinely cares about helping the horse. My mare is now a completely different horse and, best of all, no longer a headshaker.
Kimberly
Horse: Duke
More about my background
- Orun Instructeur Basissport (Riding Instructor)
- Equine Myofascial Release Therapy
- Massage Therapy
- ECS 1 - A Foundation Class
- ECS 2 - The Evolution of the Equine - "Unwinding"
- ECS 3 - TMJ and the Equine Athlete
- ECS 4 - Sinuses, Sutures and Beyond
- ECS 5 - Assessment, Occlusion and Biomechanics
- ECD - Equine Cranium Dissection
- Triggerpoint Therapy for Horses
- EBP Trifold Sequentie systemen.
- EBP Correction of systems in the body
- EBP Shock Trauma Systemen
- EPB Moleculair Monitor Valuatie Vernieuwing Systemen
- EPB Vibrationele Golflengte systemen
Janneke Zijderveld
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