Heave line- no breathing issues

[scats]

What would cause a permanent heave line in a horse with no respiratory problems? Heave line has been apparent since day one, assumed was due to horse being quite poor on arrival, but horse looks fantastic now and heave line remains. It’s pretty much there constantly- at rest, in work, when grazing, in morning, at night... very occasionally I’ll look and it doesn’t seem to be there, but 5 minutes later, it’s back. I’d say 97% of the time, it’s there. Makes no difference if horse is in or out, chilled out and resting or a bit wired.
Horse is not particularly fit- light work.

Vets weren’t in the slightest bit concerned when I mentioned it, as horse looks so well, but I do find it a little strange.

Could ulcers do this?

 

[Auslander]

What's the breeding? Some of the heavy breeds have a natural heave line. Alf is either Shire or Clydesdale/TB and he has one.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

What's the breeding? Some of the heavy breeds have a natural heave line. Alf is either Shire or Clydesdale/TB and he has one.

We had a 14.3 black & white feathered cob of indeterminate breeding who had such a line all the 22 yrs we had her. I don't remember hearing her cough once, she certainly never had breathing problems. She was pts aged 31 because of ataxia.

 

[scats]

Unknown breeding. Looks like an Arab or Tb cross something, small sports pony type.

 

[HeresHoping]

Foals. Assuming it is a mare. Some breeds, as Aus
says, have them. My Connie has them. She is an ex broodmare. It doesn't matter whether she is fit or fat, they are there.

 

[scats]

Foals. Assuming it is a mare. Some breeds, as Aus
says, have them. My Connie has them. She is an ex broodmare. It doesn't matter whether she is fit or fat, they are there.

That’s really interesting HH, thank you. I’m unsure whether she has had a foal previously. I got her as a 7 year old and I know what she was doing the year prior to that, but have no history from below the age of 6, so could well be a possibility.

 

[Rosie'smum]

My cob mare has it. Which we have put down to allergies but like yours has no issues with it. She has been scoped and has really thick mucus down in her throat that she just doesn't clear. Had steroids and ventapulmin with no change. Gets worse start of the year with what i believe is with the tree pollen and rape seed also. Vet was amazed at how much effort she was putting in to breathe that there was no sound in her lungs.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

What would cause a permanent heave line in a horse with no respiratory problems? Heave line has been apparent since day one, assumed was due to horse being quite poor on arrival, but horse looks fantastic now and heave line remains. It’s pretty much there constantly- at rest, in work, when grazing, in morning, at night... very occasionally I’ll look and it doesn’t seem to be there, but 5 minutes later, it’s back. I’d say 97% of the time, it’s there. Makes no difference if horse is in or out, chilled out and resting or a bit wired.
Horse is not particularly fit- light work.

Vets weren’t in the slightest bit concerned when I mentioned it, as horse looks so well, but I do find it a little strange.

Could ulcers do this?

Are you sure it is not a hunger line, but then it goes later once they are out. You said it is there all the time

 

[scats]

Are you sure it is not a hunger line, but then it goes later once they are out. You said it is there all the time

No, I don’t think so. It’s there permanently and she’s never without forage.

I actually think she may have had a foal. I’ve never really paid any attention to her teats before but they are very droopy and one is much longer than the other.