Horse Hiccups

[lhamm]

My elderly horse (26 years) is making hiccup sounds when trotting. He is fine in walk and when out in the field. He has got hiccups before, usually once a year and they seem to go away on their own, but I feel a bit concerned because of his age. He does not look his age at all, he still goes for little hacks a few times a month and is very lively and still looks and acts like a 10 year old. I have read horses get hiccups from a calcium deficiency. Has anyone ever experienced this before ?

 

[Red-1]

I knew a pony in my youth who would hiccup when fed oats. Also, more recently, one who would hiccup when spring grass came through.

I'm afraid I have no more info than that, but both horses were fine when diet changed and didn't seem to suffer any ill effects.

 

[JackFrost]

Google for thumps. I don't have much knowledge of it but it can be like hiccups and can be serious if not treated. Related to deficiencies. Possibly not but better safe than sorry.

 

[littleshetland]

Mine hiccups sometimes when being tacked up, but always happy in his work.

 

[J&S]

This little coloured mare I noticed used to hiccup at Trec competitions in her coral. At the time we had a vet who used to compete and I asked her what she thought and she said that it might be down to a bit of extra tension/anxiety being away from home. They were short lived and non harming hiccups!

 

[ElleSkywalker]

One of mine started hiccuping when lots of bees emerged from her stable door. Lasted a few days on and off and only did it the first year she met the bees. Neither horse or bees were harmed

 

[poiuytrewq]

Horses get hiccups and it’s usually nothing. Is the horse hiccuping only when and every time when trotting? That’s a bit odd! I’d just run it past a vet if it’s every time.