Hiccups. . ?

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Whoopit

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I'm pretty sure my horse hiccups - is it possible? Do they hiccup? I've never come across it before. It sounds like a person keeping it hiccup inside, if you know what I mean i.e. not the vocal sort of hiccup. We get it sometimes after drinking water quite fast - could this be the same sort of thing? He'll do three or four in the space of a few minutes and then that'll be it, he wont do it again for a while, meaning I've only noticed it a few times in the last four months.

I can't say I feel it's a cause for concern and call the vet or anything drastic :eek: - unless anyone posts that it should be!! If anyone else has the same sort of thing, any idea what causes it? I think he burps too, actually??
 
a horse at my yard had this, and in a panic we searched up on google, and found something named bumps or mumps or something but they said some horses get it before or after excercise, and its nothing to worry about it usually passes after a while but im not positively sure? a bit of a mystery tbh! :D
 
jinglejoys said:
Windsucking?
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Well, I did wonder that but i'm not sure? I don't think he really does it often enough in the fashion a windsucker would? Unless it's like the start of it but it does seem more like hiccups and i'm sure he's burped a few times, usually when i'm bringing him in. I've known him do it while i'm riding. He does turn out with a chronic crib-biter so I would have thought if he (at 6yrs old) was going to develop a habit it would be that?

I don't know, how does a windsucker start being one?
 
An old cob I used to school did it when it was nervous or anxious [I guess?] over anything before we'd tack up....never found out what, how or why though!

Would just be there with a hiccuping horse for a few minutes :s
 
Ahh, that funny as I also wondered if maybe it was excitement related as he only does it when he's coming in from the field? I don't do anything that upsets him (or at least I don't think i do!!!) and there's nothing he's afraid of at the yard that I know of, although recently he has been alone a lot (when he wouldn't normally be groomed and tacked up alone) and he did see a horse and carriage the other week that sent him nuts (tail kinked, nostrils flaring and snorting, high trot going in circles, bouncing half-rears) so unless he's waiting for something to jump out and scare him now it's just me and him. . . . ??

Oooh, actually, he does live in a field with private homes that back onto it and A LOT of the residents feed the horses mints and veg peeling (cabbage eds and potato peelings etc). . . ? No idea if that would affect anything?

If it is anxiety, without giving in and constantly having another horse with him, any suuggestions?
 
My horse hiccups and he does not windsuck!!

It only happens to Thomas when he has bolted his hard food. He and my sisters old mare burps when they comes in from the feild!!

I stay with him why it happens last 5 mins or so just to make sure he is ok!!

I dont know why it happens though!!!
 
Oldenburg said:
My horse hiccups and he does not windsuck!!

It only happens to Thomas when he has bolted his hard food. He and my sisters old mare burps when they comes in from the feild!!

I stay with him why it happens last 5 mins or so just to make sure he is ok!!

I dont know why it happens though!!!
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Oh good, that makes me feel better!! Phew, thought he was going to be having a funny turn!
 
I had a horse that had hiccups on and off up until he was about 4 years old and then he just stopped. Didn't ever develop further vices.
I also had a horse that used to burp...When he had eaten too much grass he would get a bit gassy and let go of a smelly burp. I didn't here him do it as he got older (or smell them!!!) so i don't know if it's a youngster thing?
I double checked with my vet as i was worried about gastric ulcers but vet didn't seem overly worried.
 
My 28 yr old horse hiccups, always has done. she has no 'vices', doesn't stress or bolt her food or anything. She'll just be standing quietly in her box & start with hiccups. It doesn't seem to bother her & after a while they just stop.
 
My horse regularly hiccups. Normally it is when he is being tacked up, especially if he is at a competition. I think it is the anticipation!!!!!! He also hiccups before XC (he stands in the start box hiccuping!!!!), but as soon as we set off they disappear. If he is really concentrating on something he will also hiccup, so if we are doing some intense flatwork schooling, it will often start. Sometimes he will get annoyed with the hiccups and do the odd buck. When I went to view him, before I bought him, he was stood in the stable hiccuping away. Apparently he has always done it.
 
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