Horse behaviour question

S

Skilgariff

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21 September 2006
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Hi

Was hoping someone had answer to this. One of the horses at my yard has nasty infection in leg which is weeping quite bad. Anyway vet is treating and on antibiotics etc. But the strange thing is when my friend brings him out of stable to clean leg and wound two of the mares mine included lower their head and start licking the air. I am assuming it is obviously a scent reaction but we are wondering what they are trying to do. It is not the flehmen thing as heads are lowered and they don't curl their top lip and it only seems to be mares. Are they trying to clean wound for him? Any ideas?
 
Its a gelding that is injured and mares know him well and have never done this. It is only since he has been injured and wound being cleaned. Its not like the way a foal would behave it is as if both mares are hypnotised and just continually lick air like they would if licking a treacle lick. We thought maybe thescent of the fluid coming out of wound was strong and they were trying to clean. very bizarre to watch.
 
Strange! Many of the neds on my yard know the evening routine well and as they're brought in from the field, start licking their lips in anticipation of tea. Your friend's neds could be showing a milder flehmen reaction, indicating they know the smell is different but it's not that interesting?
 
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