My main research interest is into headshaking in horses which is often due to a facial pain syndrome as a result of a diease of the trigeminal nerve.

There are many reasons why a horse might shake its head, however in many cases no physical abnormality can be found and often bad behaviour is blamed.

We have been involved in proving that in these cases horses are often suffering from a facial pain syndrome. Trigeminal neuralgia is a clinically similar facial pain syndrome in people and has been described as the worst pain known to man.

We use a thorough and systematic approach to investigate these cases, including a diagnostic nerve block of local anaesthetic around the suspected painful nerve in the nerve face, oral and eye examinations, upper respiratory tract and guttural pouch endoscopy and CT of the head.

We are involved, alongside Southmead Hospital, in developing a new minimally invasive neuromodulatory technique for treatment of trigeminal mediated headshaking.

Further information about Miss Veronica Roberts can be found here.