Ex-racehorse quirks!

[Footlights]

I've noticed that my ex-racer can't stand still while he eats - he rocks forward, then back, front leg goes up, and then back down again, shuffles left, and then right, and so on until he finishes his food.

I was wondering whether this is an ex-racer thing or if it is just him?

Also, what other 'quirks' do your ex-racers have? Would love to hear them to see if my boy does them too!

 

[Dizzle]

My ex-racer used to do that when he had stomach ulcers and he was on 'normal' food, since being treated and fed a high fibre diet... he doesn't!

My tb is one giant quirk!

 

[Lintel]

No idea about the ex-racer thing, not much experience with them(sadly!)
But doesn't seem ex-racerish, I have seen a few horses doing this, and mine used to do this as a baby. Just being quite on edge and food protective.
He still does it to an extent, throws his head up shakes feed everywhere, paws the bucket. He is a Highland so, not quite ex-racer type!

I few of the ex-racer boys I have known have box-walked and head shook at the stable door while lifting there front feed, but not door kicking.. not sure how to explain!

Hope you get plenty of answers a lot better than mine

 

[Footlights]

LOL to the 'Giant Quirk' comment!

Interesting about the ulcers - he isn't showing any other symptoms typical to ulcers though, did yours?

 

[ghostie]

I asked a similar question a while back as mine waves his front legs around when eating, but also when unsure, excited or nervous. I got told off for saying it was an ex racer thing, but I think there may be some truth in it as a lot of people I know with ex racers have this. The best alternative suggestion I got was that it is to do with their instinct to walk ahen they eat, but that doesn't explain the other times he does it.

 

[Footlights]

He doesn't seem anxious, nervous or excited when he does it and only does it when he is eating - it seems to me like it is more of a comfort thing.

 

[Kaylum]

I've noticed that my ex-racer can't stand still while he eats - he rocks forward, then back, front leg goes up, and then back down again, shuffles left, and then right, and so on until he finishes his food.

I was wondering whether this is an ex-racer thing or if it is just him?

Also, what other 'quirks' do your ex-racers have? Would love to hear them to see if my boy does them too!

weaves at mealtimes. As they are routined quite strictly when in training it's a habit for him or in pain as another posted has suggested ulcers.

 

[Footlights]

He only does it when I give him hard feed, he doesn't do it if I give him a pile of hay on the floor - this to me would suggest it is behaviourial, not pain related - but correct me if I'm wrong?

 

[Dizzle]

Mine never did it with hay, only hardfeed (will dig out a picture later!)

He scored pretty high on the symptom front, he was difficult to put weight on, a crib bitter/wind sucker, very girthy, very difficult to rug and would kick out, would kick out if you went to touch his stomach.

 

[Footlights]

Bless him, I hope he is better now.

Mine doesn't have any symptoms of ulcers, but will keep an eye on him and talk to the vet next time he's out just in case

 

[Mlini]

Mine lifts a front leg when eating. Always does it, usually the left one. But I have seen many horses do this, not all racehorses.

 

[Ladydragon]

I've noticed that my ex-racer can't stand still while he eats - he rocks forward, then back, front leg goes up, and then back down again, shuffles left, and then right, and so on until he finishes his food.

I was wondering whether this is an ex-racer thing or if it is just him?

Also, what other 'quirks' do your ex-racers have? Would love to hear them to see if my boy does them too!

My TB is head down eating too fast to bother with moving his body around...

A little cob type coloured pony always 'dances' her way through feed time though... Rocking, swaying, feet bobbing up and down... I thought she had some sort of nervous twitch the first time I fed her after arrival...