!HELP!- My horse WINDSUCKS

[Beanolove]

Hello we recently bought a new horse she is 8 and a Welsh Cob. It is here third day 9/1/15. The owner never told us she windsucks! I read that it can lead to colic, is this true? I dont want to put a collar on her really or electric fence tape across her stable door as she shares it with other ponies constantly 24/7. Any suggestions? That would be so helpful!
Thanks,
Beanolove

 

[madmav]

Two top-class eventers on yard where I ride wind-suck like there's no tomorrow. Doesn't seem to affect their performance. It is a very strange habit, bit like needing a cigarette.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Ok, from your description your mare is a cribber (grabs onto something and then sucks in air). There is a correlation between horses that crib bite or windsuck and gastric ulcers. You need to have a good think about what you want to do. Do you want to try to return the horse or keep her? If you decide to keep her then it would be worth researching the possibility of ulcers.

As an aside, I hate anti-cribbing collars too and never used one with my old are who cribbed (who was prone to ulcers).

 

[ashlingm]

It should be pointed out that many wear down their teeth from cribbing. And with a belly full of air many don't graze or eat as much as they should and fail to maintain condition.

I, personally, wouldn't keep a cribber or wind sucker.

 

[Beanolove]

Thanks guys thats good info. Its a tough choice also Faracat thats EXACTLY what she does its starting to get annoying now! But what will help stop this ? I have researched it and everybody are saying put a collar on her ?

Beanolove

 

[honetpot]

She just moved, its like going to a new school and is stressed and she has found a way to cope, a bit like biting your nails when your are worried. She may have never done it in her last home, stopping her from doing it may lead to exhibit the stress in other ways. Find her a equine friend, and turn them out and if stabled bring them in together, preferably only the two of them establish a routine, make sure she has plenty of roughage and ask her previous owners has she ever done this before and what was the trigger.
I have a mare that I sent a way to be backed and whilst there see was in a box next to a stallion that banged constantly. When I went to see her I noticed she was showing signs of wanting to weave, by the time she got home she was a nervous wreck. I have owned her since she was two and she is now nine and she has never weaved at home.

 

[JillA]

Investigate (and treat) for ulcers. If you can resolve the underlying cause the problem will resolve itself - collars just mask the symptoms. Imagine having stomach ache and the only relief you could get was filling your stomach with air, then someone stops you doing that. At the very least you will get anxious and agitated, at worst you might get angry and aggressive - and it won't be your fault.

 

[Beanolove]

Hello Sorry for the late reply! We really are getting fed up with her crib biting she is now doing it to wooden fence posts and literally has ripped it all off! Now we have to buy new poles every time she does that ! And JillA we will try that info but calling out the vet is £££ Money and we shouldnt really have to go through this hastle as her owner and co owner lied to us we noticed when we were visiting her in her previous home there was tron bits on the stable door but she said it was her friends... Thanks for all your help guys

Beanolove

 

[JillA]

Check out this website for home remedies - http://equinenutritionnerd.com/2014...tions-for-stomach-ulcer-treatment-prevention/
I successfully treated a TB with bicarb (acid reduction) coconut oil (mucus lining) human omeprazole and never ever leaving him without food or stressed. None of it cost a fortune.
TBH seller isn't obliged to volunteer that information, but if you asked and she lied she is liable (witnesses?). Depends whether you want to go down that route, if the horse is fine in every other way.