Diet and windsucking

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Twiglet

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Bought horse three months ago, knowing he windsucked (is otherwise perfect, so went in with eyes open). From the looks of it, he's been doing it for some time - albeit is only 5 - as he came with a collar (urgh).

He's a very chilled out chap, so I'm inclined to believe it's stomach related rather than stress....has anyone found success with this sort of thing by changing diets? I know my old horse would start windsucking at the introduction of high starch or sugar foods (haylege, comp mix, even alfa a), whereas was fine on a hay/chaff based diet.
I don't want to go down the scoping route yet, but I'm tempted to change his feed to something more fibre based, and considering adding a gastroguard type supplement.

Any thoughts?
 
My ex racehorse crib bites, she does it a lot. I don't give her any cereal type mix, it is all fibre and low starch. Watch out because some manufacturers say low starch and it is about 15%. I have her on top spec cool condition cubes and their senior balancer, she is 23. she has never had colic or any problem related to it. she has had a bit of work to her teeth but that was more age related. Mine does it out of habit, she was checked years ago for ulcers. She doesn't do it when stressed, she does it more when chilled actually. some just do it as a matter of habit.
Those collars are horrible aren't they. I tried it on her once and now it is in a box somewhere gathering dust, would never do it again. I always think that if that is her vice i would rather have her do that than buck or rear etc.
 
Thanks for that, sounds like it's habit, like you say, and diet isn't affecting it - interesting.

I don't mind mine doing it, but I'd like to make sure it's not due to discomfort.
 
One of my liveries does this he does it with his head over the door and brings back his chin hard against the door and gulps air . He has done it for years doesn't seem to effect him in anyway. He just has a diet to suit his needs. :)

No collar nothing
 
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