Heave lines

[whiteclover]

How can a horse have a heave line when being worked and after work. Yet when the vet comes out he says horse is fine when hes not fine. I cant understand this. Horse is on no drugs at present.

 

[Sparkles]

I was under the impression the line across the side can be a sign of the horse using it's intercostal muscles correctly when worked, if it's the only time when shown...remember my old coach commenting on my mare a few years back using her as an example. Definitely wasn't a heave line on her.


Could be wrong!

 

[quirky]

Tummy muscles?

 

[be positive]

I was under the impression the line across the side can be a sign of the horse using it's intercostal muscles correctly when worked, if it's the only time when shown...remember my old coach commenting on my mare a few years back using her as an example. Definitely wasn't a heave line on her.


If they are using themselves correctly they will tighten up the muscles or possibly a bit tucked up as well which can also give the appearance of a heave line, if the breathing is not showing signs of distress then there will be nothing for the vet to see.

 

[whiteclover]

he has had a pollen allergy this summer for which he was on inhalers but the horse hated them. The vet said he cant hear anything in hsi airways though and I thought that there would be some sounds there if he has an airway problem. Also hes flaring his nostrils quite a bit but the hot humid if damp weather probably isnt helping plus hes not very fit at all. Also he does seem to have the heave lines after hes worked and sometimes before.

 

[whiteclover]

I was under the impression the line across the side can be a sign of the horse using it's intercostal muscles correctly when worked, if it's the only time when shown...remember my old coach commenting on my mare a few years back using her as an example. Definitely wasn't a heave line on her.


If they are using themselves correctly they will tighten up the muscles or possibly a bit tucked up as well which can also give the appearance of a heave line, if the breathing is not showing signs of distress then there will be nothing for the vet to see.

yes he does have this.

 

[quirky]

Do you have any pictures?